Ford technicians/owners READ THIS!!!

[JMorrison4371]

I am considering buying an 04 F-150 w the 4.6L 16v MPFI SOHC engine. Is this a good engine? does it have the same spark plug problem as the 5.4 3v? Please help me out if you can thanks.

 

[dieselmike]

my buddy has an 02 with the 4.6 360,000kms, truck looks great, starts everytime

 

[wafrederick]

Ford made a revise on the spark plug change,every 30,000 miles and the plugs still break off.The plugs breaking off started in 2004.The Champion #7989 1 piece spark plugs are highly recomended and Ford does not recomend them

 

[bobcatdan]

The 5.4L has the weird 9/16 plug to fit around the 3 valve head. The 4.6L is just a 5/8 plug like the older body style. Plugs either way are a pain in the *** on those trucks. Otherwise 4.6L are good engines, 4,6L did leak oil externally from the head, but I never saw one burn oil or coolant from the head. Early 4.6 like '92,93 crown vic had leaky vavle seal, but I never saw a newer truck do it. As long as the truck looks and runs good, I wouldn't worry about the engine.

 

[87D100]

just normal plugs in the 4.6, I work on them all the time. My father has an 04, I just replaced 1 coil and put a set of plugs in it, it wasn't a problem.

Kevin

P.S. people make a bigger deal of the plugs breaking than it really is on the 5.4. They do break but if you get the kit from Lisle to remove them it's a piece of cake. That would not shy me away from the 5.4, IMHO the 4.6 is underpowered and not tuned right for a truck (not enough low end, too much on top).

 

[JMorrison4371]

thank you guys so much youve been a big help i really appreciate the info

 

[bobcatdan]

I will agree the 4.6 is a little underpowered for a truck, but none of the mod engines have much bottom end, hell drive a V10 with stick, there is a reason they stuck a six speed with a super granny in dutys. My '05 F150 with a 5.4L is nothing impressive.

 

[Packard V8]

OK, I'M A FORD OWNER AND I READ IT !!!!!!!!!!!

JMHO, but if one needs a truck qua truck, then it should be a diesel. If one needs transportation with a flat area in back for an occasional trip to the dump, then the 4.6 will be OK.

jack vines

 

[Alchymist]

OK, I'M A FORD OWNER AND I READ IT !!!!!!!!!!!

JMHO, but if one needs a truck qua truck, then it should be a diesel. If one needs transportation with a flat area in back for an occasional trip to the dump, then the 4.6 will be OK.

jack vines

Off and running again - getting my popcorn and Pepsi for the next 500 posts!

 

[David W]

Big price tag, big repair bills and at best 16mpg on the 6.0 and 6.4's. If a guy really needs 400 lb/ft of torque to give his **** a ride to the golf course then get a DMAX or cummins.
One of my co workers used to have a $uperduty with a 7.3 which for a Ford diesel is the best of breed. A couple of roadside breakdowns, towing bills and $900 repair bills he learned how to do math and got an F150 with one of the v8 gassers.

 

[hairtrigger]

I was gonna get an F150 with the v8 triton engine, until I saw the price of the rebuild kits. Holy ****.

 

[JASTECH]

The 7.3 diesel is not a Ford, it's an International. Plus it has more power then Ford's 460 to boot!

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

I have the 4.6.... FOUR VALVE from a 1995 Mark 8 in my 1989 Mustang GT. That car scoots!!

Adam

 

[chris142]

I was gonna get an F150 with the v8 triton engine, until I saw the price of the rebuild kits. Holy ****.

Once you get the cab off the frame the engine is easy to work on !

 

[Panzer]

If you are looking at those years of f150 with the 5.4 make sure you modify the cam phaser oil screen (pull the plug out and poke a hole in the screen) they have a tendency to plug up and starve the phasers of oil. A very expensive fix and not one I would want to pay for.

 

[internetdude]

I had a 98 F150 with the 4.6 and an 01 F150 with the 5.4. The 4.6 definitely has less power but as far as I know it has no spark plug problems. If you won't be towing heavy loads the 4.6 will be a fine truck. You may want to do a little browsing around here prior to buying one... http://www.fordf150.net/forums/

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Get Toyota Tundra. Then you have something else to worry about.