Ford 4.6L V8
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I have one and love it (97 F150). Some of the older (early 90) car engines had valve seal problems, but that was fixed. I can't think of any common problems with these engines.
The 4.6l is a pretty tough engine. You'll hear about issues with head gaskets on late '90's applications, valve seals on early 90's car applications, and intake manifold issues on some car based applications (trucks use a different manifold).
Look at it this way, its been around since the early 90's, and powers the Crown Vic which sees a boatload of fleet/police/taxi uses and does so pretty reliably!
The 4.6 in my '97 F150 ran like a top when I sold it with 163,000 miles. Last I heard its pushing 200,000, and the only thing ever touched on the engine has been spark plugs and wires (once!).
My '99 F150 has 114,000 on the odometer, and has the same story as the '97 - one set of plugs and wires, no other engine related problems.
Some get down on the 4.6l hp and torque numbers, but its always been up to every task I've thrown at my trucks, but I also am no stoplight racer!
Look at it this way, its been around since the early 90's, and powers the Crown Vic which sees a boatload of fleet/police/taxi uses and does so pretty reliably!
The 4.6 in my '97 F150 ran like a top when I sold it with 163,000 miles. Last I heard its pushing 200,000, and the only thing ever touched on the engine has been spark plugs and wires (once!).
My '99 F150 has 114,000 on the odometer, and has the same story as the '97 - one set of plugs and wires, no other engine related problems.
Some get down on the 4.6l hp and torque numbers, but its always been up to every task I've thrown at my trucks, but I also am no stoplight racer!
I had a buddy that bought an Expedition with the 4.6L back in 98' I think. He promptly dropped the factory filled, added Valvoline 20w-50, hooked up his 18 foot travel trailer loader with his Harley and pulled it all to Sturgis. Any engine that can survive that is pretty good in my book.
Taxi fleets get 350,000 miles out of them..Cops get 200K but require 2 or 3 transmissions to get there... The plastic intake manifold is long gone, but if you have one, the replacement kit is about $500 + labor.
My wife has a '97 Expedition with the 4.6L. The intake plenum passages to the EGR valve are clogged badly with carbon deposits. I've got to remove it soon & give it a good cleaning. It also needs a new EGR Valve, but overall the engine is still running good at 107K. We love it!
If you tour any Ford forum it is not uncommon to see 4.6L/5.4L's that have 250K mi + on them.
Most of the time you'll also find that the original transmission is still bolted up.
I've even seen a e150 5.4L that had 400k mi on it...granted it was in tough shape but it still ran.
The problem with some of the spark plugs that have been spitted out seems to be an issue of not enough threads (which ford has fixed), and improper torque.
The long life plugs also can be a problem with the aluminum heads, especially if anti-seize was not used upon install. Plugs that have been left in a long time *could* strip out the treads if a penetrant is not used.
I reccomend replacing the oems at 60K mi instead of the 90-100K mi reccomendation Ford gives for this reason.
With proper maint. 250K mi is no special feat on a 4.6L or 5.4L.
Heck my '02 5.4L has 110K mi without a hitch in the whole truck, other than the PS pump.
Most of the time you'll also find that the original transmission is still bolted up.
I've even seen a e150 5.4L that had 400k mi on it...granted it was in tough shape but it still ran.
The problem with some of the spark plugs that have been spitted out seems to be an issue of not enough threads (which ford has fixed), and improper torque.
The long life plugs also can be a problem with the aluminum heads, especially if anti-seize was not used upon install. Plugs that have been left in a long time *could* strip out the treads if a penetrant is not used.
I reccomend replacing the oems at 60K mi instead of the 90-100K mi reccomendation Ford gives for this reason.
With proper maint. 250K mi is no special feat on a 4.6L or 5.4L.
Heck my '02 5.4L has 110K mi without a hitch in the whole truck, other than the PS pump.
Originally posted by FL-400S:
The 4.6L is know for blowing the intake manifold. Left my brother stranded. His 1996 P71 PI blew with about 117K. $900 fix.
For those who have had the intake blow on your 1996-2001 Ford, Mercury or Lincoln cars with the 4.6L engine and if you kept your reciept you can call Ford customer service and get on the list for the class action law suite that has been filed.
I called today and was told the ones that called and complained would be on the list. The courts will not rule on this untill this fall. After they rule we will be notified by mail if we are to get any of our money back.
The 4.6L is know for blowing the intake manifold. Left my brother stranded. His 1996 P71 PI blew with about 117K. $900 fix.
For those who have had the intake blow on your 1996-2001 Ford, Mercury or Lincoln cars with the 4.6L engine and if you kept your reciept you can call Ford customer service and get on the list for the class action law suite that has been filed.
I called today and was told the ones that called and complained would be on the list. The courts will not rule on this untill this fall. After they rule we will be notified by mail if we are to get any of our money back.
My 1997 4.6L T-bird sport has 108k on it now, and the only things I've ever done was to replace a DPFE sensor, and the plastic intake replaced with the newer style aluminum crossover intake (my intake never "blew", but was "seeping" a bit). all else has been just oil changes, new tires, belts (regular stuff) etc.
I also like the max torque (280 lbft) coming at 2,500 rpm and max. HP (205 hp) coming at 3000 rpm, where I can use it practically!
the 4R70w transmission still works fine, hasn't been touched (knock on wood)
Other than this, it has been one solid car, with very low maintenece costs. I'm very happy with it. If you take "normal" care of it, you'll be fine with the 4.6L.
My Birdy (when it was cleaner):
BTW: I replace my plastic intake about 5-6 months ago, and have all documentation. do you think I should try to get a reimburesment?
I also like the max torque (280 lbft) coming at 2,500 rpm and max. HP (205 hp) coming at 3000 rpm, where I can use it practically!
the 4R70w transmission still works fine, hasn't been touched (knock on wood)
Other than this, it has been one solid car, with very low maintenece costs. I'm very happy with it. If you take "normal" care of it, you'll be fine with the 4.6L.
My Birdy (when it was cleaner):
BTW: I replace my plastic intake about 5-6 months ago, and have all documentation. do you think I should try to get a reimburesment?
A local head rebuilder has mentioned that the 3-valve versions are subject to cracking between the intake valves.
Stick to the two-valve versions!
Stick to the two-valve versions!
My 97 now has approx 183,500 and had zero issues whatsoever, like the rest here, besides oil changes and the spark plugs and wires, thats it. I wouldnt trade it for the world.
The vast majority of 3 valve heads are so new they would be covered under warranty at the dealership if they had problems. I doubt your friend has seen many of these heads in his shop considering the recent vintage. Was he passing along a rumor or was he speaking first hand?
IMO the 4.6 is the most durable v8 Ford has ever produced. With normal maintence I would expect 300K on the motor. Mine has 260K on the 4.6 and factory original AODE trans. Fords with the 4.6 are very durable cars.
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