Almost Impressive Triton 5.4

mr_elijah_gardner · Sep 27, 2017

I've read a lot about the spark plug issues in the triton motors. I just wanted to share a pic from one of my fleet vehicles. It is an 03 Expedition. Typically runs about 200 miles a day on the interstate. So easy miles.

It was purchased with a tad less than 100K on the odometer. I'm scared of hurting the motor so I've always let a mechanic change the plugs but I've never seen him do anything different than what I would do. Had an issue where it was eating coil packs every few days-weeks for a while. Got tired of spending a lot of money on them and just started ordering ebay ones. It finally likes the ones it has now and they have lasted almost a year.

The only reason this truck has ever broke down and had to be towed was fuel pump failure twice. The motor has a slight tick at idle for over a year and has never gotten worse. I hope to get another 100K on it before it's time to retire it (maybe more)

user 15722 · Sep 28, 2017

Excellent !
They should all run that many miles !
I have personally put in the inserts to repair the Triton heads that strip out the spark plug threads when they blow the plugs right out of the head while running.
I heard a buncha people sued Ford over that one...
It's an expensive rig to install those inserts.
wheels

tx2sturgis · Sep 28, 2017

That was supposedly solved during the 2008 run and after.

As far as I know, it was...and my 2009 has been great. Its not the 5.4, its the 4.6, same design tho...

jimindenver · Sep 28, 2017

Outside of coil packs early on and one just recently I have not had any issues with my 03 Expy. It is not the fastest towing up the steep hills but it always gets me there. We also had a 07 with the 3 valve and better tranny, it was faster but much stiffer in ride too. It has had some real issues and I can hear the ticking as it idles.

mr_elijah_gardner · Sep 28, 2017

I'm glad I'm not the only one had issues with the coil packs. Fourtantly after It decided to stop eating them I haven't had any more problems.

My tick is very light but enough to make me paranoid. But it's done it for a long time and hasn't gotten worse. I suspect it's a lifter. I run Lucas in the oil to be on the safe side and she keeps on chugging.

user 15722 · Sep 29, 2017

Aargh !
Coil packs...
Gave me fits for a long time !
It would stumble under load and we couldn't decide if it was a weak fuel pump or the wonky spark...
A nice lady fixed that problem for me... well, she wasn't so nice. That truck is no more, though.
wheels

ganchan · Oct 2, 2017

I was lucky enough to get an Expedition that already had the plugs swapped out and a bunch of other stuff done to it. I still have to deal with what may be a rear differential problem, though. Previous owner noticed the same sound coming from back there that I did, but apparently it's been there for a couple of years without getting any worse/louder.... I will have it inspected and the fluid changed right after my upcoming road trip. (Just paid for brake work, so need to regenerate my $).