Ford Motor Company

[CiK]

I am beside myself right now, and have been for two weeks now. I bought a 2008 Ford F150 Limited 2 weeks ago, so I started researching known issues of the 5.4L Triton engines so I know what might be ahead of me, in case I needed to watch out about something with it. I like to take care of my stuff, and this truck won't be any different. I found out about a spark plug issue and was told I shouldn't have any problems with my plugs if my engine was built after 10/10/2007. I found the engine identification sticker on the valve cover and found out, according to the sticker, the engine was built 07-08-01 (080701 on the sticker). I called my local Ford dealer, and their parts manager and lead technician confirmed the sticker indicated a 2001 engine for a 2008 truck based on their workshop manual for identifying engine build codes.

Maybe the sticker is misprinted, but maybe it is a 2001 engine. I am on Ford like stink on #@$! about this until they can tell me one way or the other. You would think Ford Motor Company would be better at tracking their own quality control incidents, but so far, nobody can tell me if its a misprinted sticker. I hope they understand what they are up against if they leave me believing its a 2001 engine. Do they really want that kind of publicity?

Rant over, but it serves me right for trying to reward them for not taking any bailout money..........I should have stayed in my Jeep Wrangler.

[MIbasser]

I'm not 100% sure but I would say that your engine was built on 7-1-08 and you have a late '08 truck.

[bcklash]

Might not be orignal engine.

2001 5.4 is a 2 valve and the 2008 5.4 is a 3 valve so something doesn't add up with the sticker.
The 04-early 2008 3 valve heads 4.6 or 5.4 do have a issues with the 2 piece plugs. How many miles does the truck have? I've replaced tons of them and had good luck with doing a upper cylinder treatment (seafoam) before doing the plugs. It's not the threads that stick it's the bottom sleeve that goes into the head that gets carboned up and sticks. There are special tools that make the bottom part easily removed. Takes less then 15 minutes per plug with the tool.

Here is the tool I use to pull the broken plug out.
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-LIS65600.../dp/B00267PZUK

And here is a pic showing what the broken plug looks like.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-me...e=UTF8&index=0

[walkeraviator]

Hey CiK, doesnt this make you wish tghey would bring back the J-Frame Jeep trucks?

I have heard of this issue with the spark plugs on the 5.4, and I have heard the seafoam trick offered as a solution before too, so it must have some merit.

[CiK]

Originally Posted by xchief1320

2001 5.4 is a 2 valve and the 2008 5.4 is a 3 valve so something doesn't add up with the sticker.

Ford started building the 3 valve in June 2001 at the Windsor plant for the Ford Fairmont launch in Australia. It didn't go into the F150's until 2004 model year.

Originally Posted by bcklash

Might not be orignal engine.

Ford's records (bill of materials for the truck) show the same engine build code, so its the engine they put in it at Dearborn production facility in August 2007.

Originally Posted by walkeraviator

Hey CiK, doesnt this make you wish tghey would bring back the J-Frame Jeep trucks?

Last I heard, they were still looking at bringing back a truck, not sure where they are with it. Those old trucks are nice to have for fun. My 2001 Wrangler treated me really well. It just won't pull a boat, and its not very conducive for family.

I like Ford, I was raised Ford. I just can't wrap my mind around this anymore. I have been on 3 different F150 forums and everybody there is at a loss too. Tomorrow I will be contacting Ford again to tell them they need to tell me whats going on. I am tired of researching. I have learned more about F150's in the last 2 weeks than I ever did on any another vehicle.

[MIbasser]

Okay CiK - I have friends in high places - look at the mfg date of your truck, on the door. The engine should only be 1-2 months old as they don't stock that many engines. I have a contact who works for Ford Cleveland Engine looking into this. I may have a co-worker stop in at Windsor and find out first hand (don't know his schedule so can't confirm that). But I have some peope/engineers at Ford looking into this for you.

[CiK]

Originally Posted by MIbasser

look at the mfg date of your truck, on the door. The engine should only be 1-2 months old as they don't stock that many engines.

Its 08/07.

I am banking on this being a misprinted sticker. It would provide great peace of mind if Ford can tell me that, with documentation supporting it.

[MIbasser]

CiK, PM sent.

[CiK]

PM sent MIbasser.

[walkeraviator]

I hear ya CiK, I loved my 97 TJ. Then the kiddo came along... so i added a hard top, leaf springs, and two more doors to my TJ... in other words, I sold it and bought an XJ... nd you are right. It isnt much for towing. Gives a whole new meaning to "tail wagging the dog"...

I am a die hard Chevy man when it comes to trucks. With the exception of that crap they made from 1973-1986, they have always had the other brands outclassed in my opinion. Maybe you should trade that F150 for a nice Silverado???

[bamabassman]

UUUUMMMMMMMM JUST WANNA SAY..........SHOULD'VE GOTTEN A BOWTIE PAL. HAHAHAHA, KIDDING MAN. sorry you are having trouble.

[MIbasser]

Cik, glad to find out when and what time your engine was made?

[CiK]

I still don't have a definitive answer with documentation that supports it. I am getting a little depressed by it all. LOL

[MIbasser]

Did you get the e-mail from Jeff?

[CiK]

Yes, Jeff and I talked it. Didn't come to an agreement....I have other sticker information from other 2008 engines (from guys on Ford forums) that didn't support the endian coding he claimed Ford used. Using Jeff's coding, meant this guy Josh's (from Ford forums) engine was built in 2013..........

Its not adding up at all.

[MIbasser]

Hey, I tried man.

[CiK]

I appreciate it. I really do. Back to the drawing board.