OT Any Triton V-8 owners here?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT Any Triton V-8 owners here?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Hoffman - Gold Country of Calif. on Tuesday, July 08, 2014 - 11:15 pm:

Sorry to get off topic here but I'm real close to buying an '06 F150 with a 5.4 Triton V8. I've been reading up on these things and just discovered the spark plug issue which appears to be rampant. Just wondering how many of you guys have one of these engines and if you've experienced the "blown plug" syndrome. Thanks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Tuesday, July 08, 2014 - 11:24 pm:

From what I understand it is a exspensive problem. As in 800 bucks at 1 shop to get a friends truck back to a point he could drive it.There is tools made now to get the plugs out easyer.
But the plug is made in 2 peices from what I understand and the top breaks out when you try to remove it and there is nothing to put a socket on then.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Tuesday, July 08, 2014 - 11:42 pm:

There is a tool that works fine if you are handy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoDH_RBrzf8&feature=kp


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Hoffman - Gold Country of Calif. on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 12:26 am:

Yeah, I watched the video and can see where it would work if nothing went wrong. Still, minimum of $60 for the tool, over 8 bucks per plug, and the associated heartburn, makes me a little less enthusiastic. I was more worried about the stories of plugs blowing out of the head and taking the threads with them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 01:01 am:

A 'T' friend, who works on my 03 F-150, tells me they are not only a pain in the butt to change spark plugs in, but also a pain if you have to pull the transmission to repair it or replace the rear main seal. (Much harder than a V6 or a 4.6 V8.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Money - Braidwood, IL on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 01:50 am:

I have a 97 Triton 5.4. It has 278000 miles on it. I am the second owner. I have changed plugs twice in it during the 11 year I have owned it. No problems here. Now coil issues? That I have had problems with.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 02:12 am:

I fixed one with a Model T part.

A plug blew on the co. '97 E350 5.4 with about 180K miles. I wasted time and money on the kits, and it would not work. I bought a borescope and a 1/4" pipe tap from Harbor Fright, and bored it out. I then used a pipe to 14mm adapter for a T. It was still good after a couple of years when we got rid of the van.

The coil holddown broke when the plug blew. Fixed that with JBweld.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 04:02 am:

This forum may not be the place to admit that I am not a (modern) Ford fan (but oh well). I often refer to my 2001 with the 5.4 as the Eggs-pedition. I am stuck with it till I deliver it to the wreckers due to electrical issues. I also ran on seven cylinders for over a year because of an elusive electrical failure to one of the plugs.
It also did blow a plug out of the head as Chuck H has voiced his concerns about. That was a fun 250 mile drive home. Yes, the head threads went out onto the roadway with the plug. Being a stubborn as well as cheap S O B, I managed to put a Heli-coil into the head through the spark plug hole (way down in the dark depths). I don't know how long it will hold, but several thousand miles later it is still working fine.
The only thing I could add, is that when the "electrical issues" began, several years ago, I did quite a bit of on-line research. It would appear that these things are notorious for "electrical issues". Especially when it rains (which may not be much of a problem in Califunny these days). Mine, however, is not rain related.
For what it is worth.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Vitko on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 10:05 am:

Wonder if that's why you see so many for sale. the mileage is not that good but my 91 351 W work truck sold over ten years past after retiring is still being used by another builder.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 10:37 am:

That's what the Ford dealer is for. They are no good for fixing Model T's or even for buying Model T parts, but modern Fords. I don't work on anything later than the 1960's myself.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 10:45 am:

I'm nowhere close to in the market, but I've been lusting after a new truck (I've always been anti-chebby, but when it became Government Motors I was solidified, they'll never get any of my money). Problem is, whether Ford or Toyota, when I build it on the website to what I want, ends up being about $55K. LOL for a new truck!! I've decided I will probably save up about that much, but find a '55 F100 and do a resto-mod: end result will be way cooler and infinitely more dependable. MPGs are overrated anyway, 1/4 times are a much better measure of a vehicle.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Greg Kuhnash Southeastern Ohio on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 01:07 pm:

Are you sure they have never been changed? I thought it was only the design of the plugs Ford put in the and replacement plugs werent a problem?
My '99 triton had regular plugs, but the coil packs gave me problems, the case would crack and the coil will arc, never sends a code because computor saw the coil sparking hard to find. Not a bad truck, only has 250K miles on it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R.V. Anderson on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 01:19 pm:

I went through this on my '98. When I bought it with 48K on it, the dealer talked me into the extra warranty coverage (which I already thought was a good idea), then tried to weasel out of covering it when it blew after 31 days. The warranty wouldn't fix it but would and did pay for a new head. Long and short, they eventually covered all of it except the gaskets and fasteners which I forked over about $350 for. It's been great since; I have just about 200K on it now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 06:00 pm:

Did Ford ever correct the problem?? I have an '09 5.4.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 07:20 pm:

I owned a '03 V10 (basically same engine plus two cylinders). It was great. I bought it with about 50,000 miles and sold it with about 180,000.
Spark Plugs; ONLY use Ford plugs. The trick is the length of the thread and carbon build up. I changed them at 60,000 miles and again at 120,000
Also only use the "spec" synthetic oil or you risk the cam bearings
I "chiped" it and was very pleased with more power AND better fuel economy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 08:17 pm:

I get 20 MPG on hiway. 10 pulling 20 ft. enclosed trailer. Got 42,000 miles on it. Bought it new.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 10:19 pm:

I to cant afford it at this time but would love at as least a newer truck.
But like Seth I go to the "build a truck" websites and I cant spec the biggest engine into the truck I want it in. 8 foot bed, single cab v 10 is what I would want but cant spec. Also, where is the 5 speed Manual transmission on the specs??. And why is it that you can not hardly spec a "work truck" anymore that has any power?

What really makes me scratch my a-- is this new v6 with 365 hp from ford. A bunch of us discussed this topic at the threshers reunion and we all agree it will probably haul the freight fine till about 110,000 and 1 or both turbos will blow and ruin the engine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Hoffman - Gold Country of Calif. on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 10:31 pm:

By Richard Wolf on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 06:00 pm:
Did Ford ever correct the problem?? I have an '09 5.4.

I think they got a handle on it by '10 but it's a different engine. After all my research, I conclude that the 2 valve tritons are the ones that commonly blow the plugs (up to '03) and the three valve model that eliminated the problem has the broken plug problem which is really a defect in plug design. They now make a "one piece" plug that doesn't break.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 10:31 pm:

Mack
I suspect you need to go to a F250. Then you might get closer. I recently priced a new F150. Non turbo V6, 6 speed auto, long box std cab, air, cruise & pwr window and door locks. All in at under $20,000.00 Cdn. I figured not bad


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 10:33 pm:

I've my 2000 F250 with 7.3 diesel 6 speed std 2wd for trailer towing. Only 350,000 km on it


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Booth on Wednesday, July 09, 2014 - 11:40 pm:

I just bought a '13 f150. Before that I had a '03 F150 that I bought brand new.

When I traded it in I had 345,000 miles on the clock. At >20k I had a plug blow out of the cylinder. Ford decided to put a new head on along with all "new" plugs. At 80k another plug, this time other side, which was fixed by a insert from Ford. After talking with my mechanic we decided to switch the plugs out. The old style did not (according to him) have enough TPI. That was the last plug I ever replaced.

Coils: I had a heck of a time with coils. After the 200K mark I carried a coil with me in my truck along with the correct wrench (5mm?). I could replace a coil in ten minutes if I stopped at one of the part stores and read the codes. And it wasn't one of the rear ones.

I belive the coils themselves are absolute junk, but as far as I know there is only one supplier.

From my experience if you have one of these trucks (2 valve version) replace the plugs with the recommended plug and carry an extra coil with you. Just to be safe.

The '13 that I bought just a year ago has just rolled over 45K (I do a lot of driving for my job). Its a good truck no real issues other than I have already replaced a set of tires.

Good Luck
Paul


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Wicker on Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 09:02 am:

For replacment coils buy the Accel coil or go to Jegs and buy there coils.There 1/2 the cost of the ford coil. Never wash a Triton engine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 09:48 am:

Thanks Chuck


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By george house on Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 07:23 pm:

No problems with my '01 F 250 Triton 5.4 L gasser . . . .unless you call 11 mpg unloaded not a problem


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Vitko on Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 08:34 pm:

Interesting George. My 91 351 W 250 van with a 278 pound roof rack traveling from northern California to NW Oregon with probably a thousand pounds of tools and supplys at mostly 65-75 mph got about 15 1/2 mpg and its still running!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By richard lee on Friday, July 11, 2014 - 08:07 pm:

I just traded my 08 Ford F 150 at 87,000 miles. What a POS.

They replaced some gears in the tranny under warranty, a big secret I guess. Then I paid over a grand for the front hub to be fixed. Then unbelieveablely I burned a valve some how for 3500 bucks. Then a stuck caliper, then an idler on the serpentine belt went out and took out the timing gear cover and timing belt (1500); that was after the dealer in Zanesville, OH refused to ask any of his people to stay over to fix it because it was a Friday of Memorial Day weekend. I broke down on the way home.

And also the power steering pump was leaking and the dip stick was rusted in place when I traded the POS in.

I wouldn't buy anything made in this century made by Ford.


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