I have a 2004 Expedition 5.4L with 240k I go every 5-6K in between oil changes, I use Valvoline maxlife high mileage 5w30 syn blend with a Motorcraft oil filter, the engine runs just as quiet as the day it rolled out the factory
How much do you have to baby them? Is staying below 3,000 RPM all the time good enough? I have a 2010 4.6L 2V Crown Vic Police Interceptor and that’s what I do
I have an 08 5.4 FX4 F150 bought new. It has 380,000 now with only 2 tune ups. I live in Houston TX it gets pretty hot here. I've been using Pennzoil 15/40 and Motorcraft filter since broken in. Oil change every 4,000. Truck runs great I love it. I do part time hot shot deliveries, have had up to 2 thousand lbs in the bed and have trailered more then 12 thousand lbs. 15 mpg the day I brought it,14.5 mpg now probably because I run 305/50/20 Nitto Grappler G2s. Truck still looks great except for the inside of the bed.
35yrs in a shop,,he's absolutely correct...Every 5.4 3v with problems I've seen has 1 thing in common,,,customers don't change the oil regularly...CHANGE YOU OIL these engines will not tolerate you not changing the oil....Use a Good oil filter not the cheapest garbage filter from walmart,,,a "good" filter and 5w30 oil of your choice
@@slimsherman5818 No I don't recommend them but not for reasons you may think....They may work I really couldn't tell you,,but what I can tell you about additives is this..Before Covid the U.S. military specifically the Army and Marines thoroughly tested several engine additives and found they offered no additional protection against wear...I'm sure if you search the net you can find that report somewhere I remember reading it afew years ago...I wanna say that Lucas oil treatment was included in that test...
Amsoil EAO88 filter and Mobile One Advanced Full Synthetic since 75,000 miles. Just over 100K now in my 2010 5.4L 3v. Purrs like a kitten. Burns no oil between changes. A pint sample of engine oil is sent out for lab analysis every 5K. I currently going 12K between oil changes.
I tell you what, I have a 2003 4.6L 2v that I bought brand new 20 years ago and have never used anything but 5w-20. I just used 5w-30 yesterday for the first time. What a difference. So much quieter and smoother. I will be using 5w-30 for now on. Awesome video brother.
the heavier weight requires more pressure to get all the way thru to the passenger side of the engine, 5w-30 lowers the oil transfer to that left side head/cam. its your vehicle though.
Glad I found this channel. My 08 has 106,000 (bought used) and I tow almost every day. Only had to do the famous exaust manifolds but I think they are leaking again. Going with headers this time. I will definitely be switching to 5/30 and plugs are next.
Was a ford tech for years. And I agree Motorcraft us, filter, and oil in all my fords. Ford designed them to work with there engines I believe best is oem
I had an 06 5.4 XLT supercab for 13 years and the engine never quieter when I traded it in for my current 5.0 2018 F-150. I put Mobil-1 5w20 and 5w30 in it and changed every 3-4 k. Loved that truck
My ‘09 3V has run 5W-20 exclusively together with Motorcraft filters since I bought it new, the first 8 years done by the dealer and then full synthetics after that when I started doing it myself. Changed at proper intervals from day 1 and now over 14 years later it still runs as quietly as the day I drove it off the lot. It also goes oil change to oil change without the oil level dropping one bit on the stick as it doesn’t burn or leak oil anywhere. When I bought it I never dreamt I’d have the thing this long but it has lasted (FX4 S/crew Luxury Edition with most the option boxes ticked off) just fine and I still like it so why not? Also every other fluid in the truck has been changed out twice over the years. The thing still purrs along without so much as a shake, rattle, or squeak so I’d say putting a few bucks worth of good quality oils in it over the years has paid for themselves many times over.
I have a 04 , 5.4 3v 270,000 miles all original. Tows more than most diesel road queens I see. Never let me down! Currently having electrical issues inside the truck, hopefully will get it figured out
Bought my 2006 FX4 new, always change the oil every 3,000 miles and use 5w-20 synthetic. 145,000 miles and no failures except ignition coil and the first set of spark plugs. Good truck and engine, still running strong and sounds awesome with Flowmaster.
I have 211,000 miles on mine {2008}. No problems, no leaks and no issues. I change the oil before the recommended mileage and flush the radiator every year. These engines are sensitive to heat. Keep them cool. I allow the motor to do its rev and idle back down routine before putting it in gear to make sure the oil circulation is going before stressing the engine. I pay attention to its needs and I enjoy the truck very much. Maybe I just got lucky.
Just bought a Ford 2005, 5.4 3V triton. Has 197k miles (yep 😬), will do change oil, put new spark plugs and coils, see how much I can get out of it. Truck looks good, well taken care of, paint outside and inside really good condition, motor runs good, no sounds, no rust.
I just picked up a triton 04 w 160k … I was thinking I might go ahead and do the sparks and coils right away… had that on my last two engines… glad to hear I’m not the only one thinking about that … totally worth preventative replacement as far as I’m concerned
I’m about to inherit one of these famous 5.4s and I just found it needs a new motor so I will definitely be taking notes. It looks like you have quite a few videos about the 5.4 so I’m glad I found this channel 👍
Bought my used 5 years ago. Its 2005 FX 4 super crew it has now 310,000 miles and counting. Switched to 05w30 when it had 200K drove and sounded better right away. I now use Castro high mileage synthetic blend with Slug Protector 5qt and Lucas oil stabilizer every 3K - 3500 miles. Made a huge improvement on ticking noise and overall performance. And to help with poor oil delivery on rights side of engine during start up, I just add little oil and she starts sounding like a roaring lion.
ive had my 2001 F150 XLT 5.4L V8 for 5 years now, bought it for 2k with 140k miles, at 170k now and no major motor problems, just spark plugs, coils, battery, alternator, and starter. still runs strong.
Ive got a 2013 expedition with the 5.4! Change my oil every 4 to 5000 and pull 6500 pounds everyday still running like a champ! I've owned 3 of the 5.4s now and have had pretty good luck with them!
Same here. People have a very hard time believing it, but Ive got a 2008 F250 5.4 3V I bought new, and it's got 223k miles on it. Engine is all original with no oil leaks and had spark plugs changed only once at 115k miles. I change the oil every 3k-4k miles and it's never had anything but motorcraft synthetic blend put in it. Also gets a new air filter every 6 months. I have a theory about these engines. They need to be revved to redline often {atleast a couple full throttle pulls every time you drive it). If you baby them around you'll have problems. Keep the oil fresh and drive it like you stole it!
I just did the change to 5-30.. so much better in the Summer. 5-20 is like water. My 09 fx4 is still beautiful 146k on the 5.4 no probs ever and she's fast AF... been superchipped Cai K&n n straight 3 inch exhaust for years. Flawless. Knock on wood. 😉. We also had a 07f250 was a state pickup with 5.4. Ran it 300k before first ever tune up ...
I've got 193k trouble-free miles on my 2007 F-150 5.4 3 valve and I still run 5W-20 in it. Don't even know if I'll ever bump up the weight. I've just kept the oil up every 3.500 miles and it purrs like a kitten. Junky engine still, but it can last a while, with good maintenance.
My 09 5.4 with 5w-20 and Lucas high millage. I am now at 230k without any issues, no leaks, hear no lifters, no shaving, no rough idle and runs like the day I bought it. My tip oil change every 3.5k 6quarts of 5w-20 and 1 quart of Lucas high millage with a premium oil filter.
I have a 2007 Saleen S331 supercharged with 80k on it, I switch to synthetic 5w30 and oil changes about 3k ish miles. The truck is very happy with it. My boss’s dad has an 04 f150 and it has 300k+ on the original motor. Just crazy
MY SON JUST PICKED UP AN 04 FX4 5.4 3V AND THIS CHANNEL GIVES ME HOPE THAT WE CAN HAVE HER RUN SMOOTHLY AND BE RELIABLE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 100K KMS🙏🏿258,090 KMS RN. SHE'S PRETTY THO.
I change oil on my 08 around every 3500miles or once a year. Semi synthetic 5w30 from ford. 42000miles. No issues with anything on the truck. Ever. Bought it new. Gotta dig into it someday though. Still has original plugs in it. I’ll admit I’m scared of that job.
You hit the nail on the head. Oil change oil change oil change. If you don't change your oil regularly, you're going to have problems. I have a 09 5.4 with 245k.....no problems yet. Oil change oil change oil change
I have 2005 f150 with 5.4 I have almost 195,000 mile but I change my oil every 4,000 miles I run full synthetic I never have no issues only issue recently I had three or my injectors got stuck open… I do my spark plugs about every 50,000 miles and had 0 issues with my engine I pull my boat with my enclosed trailer and it’s pushing close to 200,000 miles and engine sounds good like the day I bought it back in 2005
2010 5.4, 165k - i run 15/40 diesel in it - covers and lifts over the phasers way better than 5/30 - runs great still and no cam phaser issues yet - I change every 3000 miles - all motorcraft
I bought a 2012 Expedition King Ranch November of 2022 with almost 40k miles and it just hit 46k miles. I used Motorcraft 5w30 synthetic blend and a Motorcraft filter, but my next change, I'm switching to Motorcraft 5w30 full synthetic oil.
I run Motorcraft Full Synthetic 5W-30 @ 4K mile intervals with a Motorcraft FL-820-S Filter and im at 225K miles. Looks like you've got some 5.4L 3Vs in your arsenal. Your trucks so freaking clean man. Also i have LT285/70R17 and i with my last current trip as of 08/09/21 im getting 14.5mpg guess that's not half bad
@@JayThompson25eyh what can i say 🤷RU-vid takes alot of time outa your day , and skill 🤙can't wait man my bells all the way on im ready haha only thing im missin is the pop corn and bouta fix that lol
284000 on mine . Have not driven it really at all in 3 years and it starts and runs greT. 08s are good trucks if you change the oil every 3000 miles. Or even 3 months. Thay will last. I got this truck new. I'll get a new 250 next year. Hanging on to the 08.
I'll agree with the change to 5W-30. I've heard that many of the oil channels inside the 5.4 Triton are too narrow - a poor design? But the lower weight of the 5W-20 in combination with the low performance of the original oil pumps creates a suboptimal pressure that the timing system depends on.
This is our number one seller; outsells everything else we do, combined. Oil passages are fine, but oil clearance at the cam journals is too loose. Over time that clearance opens up enough that there’s an insufficient film of oil to lubricate the cams. Cams drag in the head and beat up the timing components. In the reman engines, oil clearance at the journals is tightened up and they run an M340HP. If you ever plan on doing anything to this engine, pop a cam cap off and you’ll see the problem. Also, I run 5W-30 in ours too (original engine) 😉
@@joshuamuchmore5049 WHat do you think about running 15-20 or 40. I do it- and the truck defintely responded well to it. Reading your comment- is seems it may fill in the gaps where pressure is lost over time. Do you agree? I have typical cam phaser rattle.
@@PatRiot- Not sure it would help if it’s already acting up. I was suggesting higher viscosity as a preventative rather than a cure. But, it’s cheap and easy to try so why not? I run 5W-30 in mine. Time will tell…
Got a 05 king ranch crew cab, I slammed it, got the 5.4, I started to use Lucas oil stabilizer and it made a night and day difference, its quiet as hell and engine revs so smooth
Do you use the regular or synthetic? With 530? Still using the Lucas ? A lot of people use Lucas in these then you got the ones that are against running additives
I’ve got the 5.4 3v triton with 301k on it. I use 0-40. Only things I’ve had to replace has been the plugs 2k ago, radiator/therm 6months ago and coil packs 150k ago.
My 2010 f150 5.4 has pretty clean oil when I change it around 8000 miles. I'm talking like I can still see through it. I use mobil 1 full syn and the Motorcraft filter. Truck has 165k and no problems yet
I have heard about switching to 5w-30 in pretty much all of older Fords, whether it's Triton or Duratec. Every mechanic I've encountered suggested that I put 5w-30🤷🏻♂️
I have a 08 expedition 5.4 and it has 253000miles I bought it 6months ago in winter I ran 5w30high mileage, no summer's coming I'm thinking on morning 10:30 and good high mileage oil Mobil 1 filter. Honestly I want to know if this truck had 150,000 knock on wood I have no receipt for nothing I got a cheap couldn't pass it up but it's been a blessing so far
I do the same thing with my 055.4 I use full synthetic 5W 30 and change the oil religiously every 5000 miles and today I have almost 300 K on the engine.
I got a 08 5.4 with 161k miles and I love the truck but I’m so scared that the timing components will go with me driving. But I’m glad I found your account
It will happen eventually, and yes, you will have warning signs, rough idle, potential stalling, sounds like a diesel!! I’m experiencing it now on my 2008 xlt & 246,000 miles. It’s currently in the shop with this issue, along with a burnt valve!!
Here's a good tip for you , along with changing your oil - before you drain it - add WD40 while the engine is warming up. 2 detergent cap fulls from a liquid tide and allow it to mix and clean out the varnish and the VCTs will last as well get the passages clean before you add new oil. WD40 will work with the oil as you are driving and wont harm anything - I did this to my 2008 F250 and yes it does work wonders - one of my lash adjusters benefited and quieted down a lot as it was starting to stick. But yes clean oil does keep this style of weak design that Ford tried to redesign since the days of the good old Windsor engine.. Also save your Condenser coil by fitting a house screen in front of it . This will save the coil from road rash debree from getting into the fins and plugging up the air flow...
I agree about the screen material - but WD is a water displacement product, I’m not picking but I’ve never heard about using that in any engine over past 40 years
Recently got mine a rebuilt swap, mine broke a valve stem in the original so I decided to repair rather than scrap it. I live on the east coast of Texas so due to our climate my mechanic recommended 10w-30 conventional. We’ll see how this goes.
My 2004 was bought brand new, and while I agree with everything here, and did all that on the factory engine, it still failed. Pissed me off, but bought a reman due to financial considerations. Not financial considerations of the value of the truck, but the job situation dictated spending on a costly reman engine on an otherwise truck in good shape vs. another more costly truck. Reman runs great but burns more gas compared to original. Kept the truck and bought a Toyota last year
Mine: 2006 f150 king ranch. 236,000 MILES and counting! Noisy phasers replaced on Ford warranty back at 50k. Thats it. No other major work done to it. Oil changes with full synthetic every 3000 miles. Everything else is original, including the transmission. I live in cold climate Canada half the year and STILL hammer the gas pedal all the time with this truck. 5w20 in the winter, 5w30 in the summer. Full synthetic. Good oil is the secret to a reliable, long lasting Triton v8, period.
I love Motorcraft oil, but synthetic blend is all you can find around here. That being said, my EcoBoost deserves better than that. I went to pennzoil platinum years back with great results.
Many people don't know that Napa Gold paper products are made by WIX. There is a RU-vid for the difference between a Fram and wix. I used to use Fram until I found out the Wix has a much better spring on the Overflow pressure. Then I watched this short video and it showed the WIX has three to four times the paper in it!
I got a question anybody have any transmission problems with the 6r 75six speed transmission. I have no idea how many miles are on that either. A tree trunk I sold I documented every oil change water pump brakes shocks whatever else routine maintenance but so eat Ford expedition limited 2008i have no receipt service records
08 KR with 190,000 k miles....Bought 6 years ago with 100k miles. Changed the oil immediately with castrol edge high milage 5w-20. At the recommendation of Brian from fordtechmakuloco changed to 5-30 at 5k intervals, which I already did anyway.....6 trips to Maine and numerous trips to Florida from NW GA. and the only thing I've done is oil changes and brakes......NO ticks, no misfires, no nothing but servicing her and listening to her sweet song while towing my bass rig all over....Avg 15 mpg with 3.73 gears. No additives except for fuel treatment to keep carbon down....Love it and at my age I will put a crate engine in before I buy a new or newer truck......but going to see how long this one will last and still travel without worry.
I wouldn’t imagine it being an issue! There is a chart online I believe showing temperatures and oil thickness/viscosity if you wanna check it out for yourself!
I’ve got the 5.43 valve. My trick is add one whole can of high mileage seafoam to the crank case in one can to the gas tank sitting at about a quarter of a tank run through fill it back up drive about 100 200 miles, every single oil change in it seems to do what seafoam holds up to do
2006 3V has 200K, only used 5w20 Motorcraft and filter, i now use the Lucas low viscosity oil supplement as well as its suppose to be helpful for VVT engines, maybe i got a unicorn IDK
How many bottles of the 5 quart Motorcraft do you buy for an oil change? I'm going to bring it to my mechanic with that brand and filter next time. I have an 07 F-150 5.4L with 168k miles. Thanks for the video.
You are absolutely correct, 5w20 is the worst thing you can put in a 5.4, I’ve been running 10w30 in my 2005 since I got it, run Castrol full synthetic every 5k miles and she runs great. Truck is sitting at 250k miles right now
@@deandrehendry3733 yes, you should. Better lubrication and it runs quieter. I highly recommend Castrol Edge extended maximum performance (black container) and a motorcraft oil filter. Been using it for years. Still running strong at 300k miles.
@@LuisMartinez-tu4ci just got a 2006 fx4 5.4 and they were running 10w30 last....was glad to learn they replaced the cam phasers, I just put full synthetic 5w30 and the motorcraft filter. 270k sounds great
@@wyatt1153 i totally agree!! 5W-20 is what the oil passages are designed for. Even with high miles( 75,000+) if you’re experiencing a little noise, just make sure to use 5w-20 HIGH MILEAGE formula… if noise is still a concern, use an oil additive like Lucas Full Synthetic oil stabilizer, it’s key feature is that it eliminates dry starts. ( which is key in the 5.4L 3V) using a higher first number oil, is not a good idea. Actually using a lower first number allows the oil to flow faster a cold starts. Better lubrication at startup and improved fuel efficiency. Especially when talking about diesel engines!! (5W-40 full synthetic) oh one last thought… stop using synthetic belnds…. It’s not a 50/50 conventional oil/ synthetic compound… save your engine and actually do some good by using full synthetic oil, paired with a high capacity filter to make sure it can catch the smaller micron of dirt that the better full synthetic oil pushes away from itself. Better base oil in synthetic oil means it has the ability to have better additives compared to blends or conventional oils. People will do what the want and believe their version, but full synthetic oil high capacity filter designed for full synthetic, and high mileage formula after 75,000miles and staying with the original operating weight IS the way to go. ( I own since NEW; 1986 Ranger 2.9L original motor and5 speed transmission, over 500,000 miles 10w30 Mobil1 early on, after 100,000 bumped to high mileage formula and Lucas Stabilizer. Also since new2007 F150 5.4 4X4 LariatSuperCrew, low mileage, at 66,000!!! Again, Mobil1 Fully synthetic and Mobil filter. Still running on all original engine parts, including the spark plugs, which could be a potential total disaster when I go to finally change them knock on wood because I know about the spark plug issues on these trucks.
Makes sense why my dad put 5w-30 in his 04 f150, I thought he was putting the wrong oil in it when I bought it from him and asked him for the weight when google said 5w-20.
As far as I know it stems from the same argument as changing transmission fluid, however motor oil (if regularly changed) won’t dislodge any major gunk from just to swapping to synthetic
Don't forget to add the fact that Ford is one of the first one to require their filters to be used due to the anti drain back flap in it and wouldn't warranty the motor if it failed if it didn't have their filter on it.
Also use oil stabilizer and treatments to clean out the engine and oil pump and it will keep your oil pressure up and your engine will also thank you for that. Also the thickest oil I’d go with for these engines is 10W 30 full synthetic high milage
It’s an airflow dynamics. It helps but isn’t too noticeable. The biggest upgrade for power is electric fans. Helps out a ton with fuel economy and power gains
The first number describes viscosity at low temperatures. The second number refers to viscosity at normal engine operating temperatures. using a synthetic 10w30 is the way to go .
How do you keep the exhaust manifolds from cracking. I replaced them once and one is cracked again. 111,000k. I change the oil religiously. Last 2 have been with 5w30.
Something could be causing it to generate more heat than usual such as a lean code or possibly just a bad replacement manifold. Lots of possibilities when it comes down to it
One of the flaws in design exposes the rear of the manifolds to thrown off moisture from tires thru the plastic wheel wells. Hot metal exposed to cold moisture can lead to cracking? I've also heard that the front design of the exhaust system is also a suboptimal design causing excessive stress on the manifolds. There is a debate on Ford OEM replacements vs aftermarket brands like Dorman. I'm not certain the Ford replacements are any better than the originals. 04 -08 was just not a good vehicle. A sad realization.
I have a 2010 5.4 with 216,000 miles. It runs good when cold then idles rough after gets hot. Here in South Texas in Summer it takes less than 10 minutes yo get hot. In Winter it runs great. Any suggestions?
5-30 is recommended for higher mileage engines over 100k because you get more lubrication to crucial components. You’ll notice on a lot of engines that 5-30 will have the engine running quieter and smoother, but you don’t have to switch. It’s just a recommendation to try and get the most life possible! Biggest thing on these engines is oil change intervals. Some say 3k but I run 5k. I wouldn’t be comfortable with anything more than 5k between oil changes
