What do you think of the 5.4L spark plug problem??? - Ford Forums

japkiller379 · 04-21-2008, 01:11

Hey everyone I am new here and I am looking to buy a 2002 Ford F150 4x4 with the Triton 5.4L motor, well I gotta tell you I have always been a sort of Chevy guy but now that my 94' Chevy Z71 turned 247,000 miles I figure it is time for another "sort of new" truck, naturally I was looking at a 2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 with a 6.0L in it I was all ready to give my keys up for it when the salesman fired it up, it sounded like a damn diesel in there. Well the sales person was less than reassuring he says, "most of their V-8 motors have a piston slap when they are cold which GM says is normal and consumes small amounts of oil regularly which GM also says is normal" well needless to say I kept my keys that day and decided to give the old blue oval a try, and I found this F-150 which seems to start and idle quite nicely when cold, so I brought it home for a night for a test run. Everything seems nice ample power, nice ride, plenty of room with the ext. cab. So here I am up late reading about the F-150 on the computer when I come across this website saying "the 5.4L motor is a lemon, the spark plugs fly out of the heads and strip the head it costs over 3,000 dollars to fix...etc." now I am scared to buy this truck and I absolutely won't go for a Dodge, so I would like to know what you guys think of this motor and maybe some tips stop the plugs from flying out of the head!!!!

**360ci** · 04-24-2008, 06:20

I wouldn't worry about it. Providing you keep a proper maintenance schedule you shouldn't have any major problems like that! I change the plugs on all my vehicles regularly (copper plugs every 25K). The problem is that Ford told buyers that the plugs were good for 100K, which is a big mistake on their part. As the original powertrain warranty was only 36K/3years Ford didn't care. Platinum or Iridium plugs can last longer, but at 80K they're 80% worn already. I pull my copper plugs out at 25K and they look as if they can go another 25K with no problems, but it's not worth the risk. Some installers get lazy as well, and do not use anti-seize on the plugs making them 'weld' themselves to the block after even 40K!

I'm more into Dodge products as I've had the best luck with them over the years, had two four cylinder Spirits (92 & 93), and the mileages were 310K on the 92, and 338K on the 93 before I sold them off for parts. Original 3 speed transmissions on both by the way!

Ford does build some fine engines. The 2.3,3.0,4.6,5.4,6.8 are some of the better gas engines available, and I've had the pleasure of driving quite a few of them. The older 5.4 with 235-250hp wasn't as refined as the new 3V with 300hp, but nonetheless is a solid engine!