Brons2
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The later 5.4 engines are superb. Use 10W-30 M1 and change regularly to avoid Phaser problems. You will still have cam chain tensioner leaks, as the plastic housing for the adjuster will eventually fail. As long as you are not using 0W-water oil, the tensioner and oil pump back plate leaks likely won't progress to the point where the heads are starved for oil and you should expect a very long lifespan.
The 5.4 also does not open it's throttle plate fully until 4500 RPM. A 5 star tune for 87 octane will fix this and you'll be much happier with the power output.
Pro DS 10w30 is what I have on hand, so that's what I used. Dumped the weak sauce CAFE 5w20 stuff this weekend even though it only had 1000 miles and put Pro DS 10w30 in. Reward - virtually silent operation, only ticking of any sort is the fuel injectors.
Bad news. I have a transmission leak where the electrical connections come into the valve body. Apparently it's a common issue on the 6R80. It looks like an easy repair...if you have a vehicle lift. It looks like a miserable repair if I have to do it on my back on the garage floor.
I bought an extended warranty with this vehicle, I'm going to see if I can get them to warranty it. The cost of doing it myself with everything I need is around $120. The warranty deductible is $200. Time with my family is worth more than $80 to me, if the warranty will cover it, we shall see. For now I am backing into my driveway, it slopes uphill and this connector is at the back of the transmission. Parked in this manner and after wiping off the bottom of the transmission, it doesn't leak onto my driveway.
BTW Ford - your transmission mounted dipstick that is right next to the catalytic converter is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. You cannot possibly check the transmission level at full operating temperature because you will burn the (expletive) out of your hand and arm doing it. I am buying an aftermarket transmission dipstick for sure, B&M and Performance Automatic make them.
The offending part - $19 on the ecommerce site named after a large South American river.