2006 Ford F-150

I recently posted about all the trouble I've been having with my plow truck, a 83 Dodge W350. I was looking at maybe replacing it with a 2006 Ford F-150 that I saw. The mechanic who has been working on my Dodge said the 2006 Ford pickup engines had a lot of problems. Anybody familiar with the engine in the 2006 Ford? It's a V8, not sure of the cubic inches.

Look into spark plugs. Can't remember the exact years, but there was a lot of issues with them.

Yes, the 5.4 Triton has major issues with the plugs seizing in the heads. I know, I've got a 2006 F150 with that motor! 7 out of 8 plugs snapped when I got them changed.

Newer isn't always better.

They had a bad habit of cracking exhaust manifolds as well as the spark plug issue mentioned above.

I have the same motor. No problem with plugs seizing. I've had them changed a couple times. It has 330,000 miles still runs great. Be sure to use anti-seize on them when you get them plugs changed. (they are a bear to get to though!)

You can find ALL of the 5.4L issues on this website
http://www.expertswrite.net/ford-5-4l-triton-3valve/common-problems.html
I traded my 2002 Toyota Tundra in 2010 for a F150 with the 5.4. Regretted it ever since. They also have a transmission seal problem that the computer wiring harness that talks to the transmission plugs in through. Many leak, Need to drop the pan and do a complete service to replace the seal. Pooooor design. And Ford has never attempted to upgrade the seal.
With that said, the new Ford 5.0l engine seems to be really good. Just look after 2013 model year to avoid the transmission seal problem, they did change it.

Good to know these things. Sounds like the mechanic knew what he was talking about. My 83 Dodge only has 92,000 actual miles on it. Now, if he could just get it running...….

I have the same engine in my 2000 F150...425K+ miles. Think I’ve replaced all the injector coils over the years. Truck is still going strong as my trapping/hunting truck. Best thing is 4-wheel drive still works too. I wouldn’t be able to trap a few of my properties if it didn’t. Over all extremely pleased with the truck.

Like all vehicles, some are good, some are bad. Some people love theirs, some people hate theirs. I've pulled enough heads off to get out snapped out spark plugs or repaired threads after the plugs blew out to stay away from them.

Had a 2007 with the 4.6 liter V8. Very few problems. its still going and has 330,000 on it. I have heard all the complaints about the 5.4's that all the guys are posting - especially the spark plug issue.

There’s a reason that motor was in the Police Crown Vics for their life.......for the most part they are bomb proof. They never get a proper break in and are beat relentlessly until 150,000 when a local buys them at auction and continues to drive them until they rust apart. I have had 2 Trucks with Triton Motors also. They both had manifold issues that needed to be fixed. Neither had the plug issues.

If it's got the 5.4L 3 valve engine turn around and run, not walk, the other way. The 5.4L 2 valve engine was a decent engine, but the 3 valve is a joke.

How do you tell if it's a 3 valve or a 2 valve?

2004 is when they switched over to the 3 valve. My 2004 has 245k on it and I haven't touched the engine other than routine maintenance.

keep that dodge. Find a shop to get it running for you. Look at the mechanics, if they r in their 20`s find another shop. It will be cheaper to just buy new ign parts and a new carb than a new truck. Plus that old girl will plow snow better than an f150.

They have cam phasers. They are notorious for going out and not cheap to replace. The oil pumps were known to have problems and cam phasers need good oil pressure to keep them from wearing out.

They fixed the issues in 2010. Google Ford 5.4 cam phaser problems and see for yourself.

Yep, you don't need another truck, you need a different mechanic.

I had the plugs changed on my 2006 last summer with 93,000 miles. I was told to run Seafoam in 2 tanks of fuel and premium gas. I put 2 cans in drove 200 miles filled up again and 2 more cans. Then had plugs changed. He broke one. There are people that pay upwards of 600.00 to have plugs changed. Mine cost just over 100.00 and I bought the plugs. The cam Phasers are something to watch. If you change oil every 2500 miles you will not have a problem.

6.0?

DON'T BUY IT! I had a 2008 with a 5.4 and it's the WORST truck I ever owned in my life. This was after the "improvements" The exhaust manifold bolts rusted out 3 times in under 100,000 miles and you pretty much had to pull the motor to replace them. The truck had no power for the size of the motor. You can't even change the sparkplugs without a special tool and they need to be changed around 75,000 or you risk them blowing out of the head. All different sensors going bad all the time and putting in codes. IT'S a PIECE OF CRAP and I've been a Ford man my entire life! It was so bad that I almost quit Ford altogether and I've had them over 30 years.

I have a 2008 f150 with the 5.4 with 175k. I have worked the truck hard. Changed spark plugs at 120k with no issues and 1 coil pack. Biggest issue being in Alaska is power steering hoses have all been replaced once and now with Arctic grade hoses. With routine maintenance it's been a great truck and would definetly buy it again.

2002 f250 5.4l shot 2 plugs out, cracked exhaust manifold, right front u joint went, have to destroy a $500 wheel bearing to fix it. body went south within 5 years. I normally run a truck for 10 years, this one lasted 5.

I bought one last June. It’s got some minor issues but nothing to cry about yet. Bought it to keep the miles off my ‘18 Silverado and not beat it up for work. It’s an ‘04 I think. Maybe an ‘06. Can’t recall at the moment. I’ve put almost 20k miles on it since June. Can’t complain too much. Does need timing chain replaced this coming spring and it’ll probably get the plugs done at the same time but I’m not overly concerned yet. If it dies, I’ve pretty much gotten my money’s worth already.

There were I believe two 5.4l 3 valve engines. The easiest way is to look at the 8th digit of the VIN number. The most common VIN code for the 3 valve is 5, for the life of me I cant remember the other.

I think you may be right. If I bought the F150, which I've decided not to do, I would have to beef up the springs in the front end to handle the Boss plow I have on the W350. As I said, the Dodge hasn't even got 100,000 miles on it. I'll have to try some other mechanics.