L19MUD Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 OK here is the story, this is all I know as I bought her as a non runner with minimal information but being cheap and local I could not resist The Truck is a 2004 Ford F150 5.4V8 Triton. The first of the 3 valve engines and known to have VVT phaser issues, spark plugs that get stuck and dodgy fuel modules. The seller reported that the truck was apparently running fine then cut out, started again and cut out again would not restart and just turned over. Was told the fault codes were the VVT cam/phaser solenoids (which were included in the sale). At the weekend I ran diagnostics to find solenoid wiring faults on both sides and fuel pump module offline, at this point things were looking promising. The battery was too flat to try and start so I put it on charge, when I did this I discovered both solenoids were unplugged so I plugged them back in. Last night with a decent battery I turned the key - click. I decided to tap the starter in case it was stuck. Got under the truck and it had a brand new starter on it (have since discovered this was fitted post the breakdown). Gave it a tap and the starter freed off, but now didn't turn the engine over and just wound over grazing off the flywheel, engine not turning over. I then put a breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt - would not turn over and therefore appears to be seized. Not an ideal scenario but I have no comeback from a private sale on Facebook (although it clearly was not turning over but not starting as I was advised). Tonight I plan to whip off the rocker covers and see what the damage is before I decide on what I am going to do Anyway here are some pictures, including one of it on the back of the 90. On the plus side I got to test my recon pump/injectors/turbo and Allisport intercooler under load!!! That trailer is 18ft long and 7ft wide.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanco Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 I like the american trucks, but not so much the LHD these days, but you get used to it. ...... it looks great behind the 90, even without the perspective of that photo. just hope the damage is not too far reaching ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 I hope it's better than the 6.8 Triton V10, we had an F350 with one on holiday and honestly I've driven 200TDi's with more poke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 minute ago, FridgeFreezer said: I hope it's better than the 6.8 Triton V10, we had an F350 with one on holiday and honestly I've driven 200TDi's with more poke Currently the Tdi is much better as it actually runs.....300bhp and 360ftlb of torque so should be pretty decent as it weighs 2500kg so less than my L322 Where did you manage to hire an F350 on holiday?! I have been trying to find one for when we go to Texas next year . You really need one of the diesels if you have an F350 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Alaska - just checked, it was an F-250 Super Duty XLT with a demountable camper back on it and honestly it couldn't get out of its own way! Managed a mighty 11.5mpg as well... Rented from Go North. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 Alaska is on the list... Would you recommend it (not the truck!) we did western Canada last year and loved it. I have had the new 5 litre V8 and 3.5 V6 eco boost in F150's and they have both been great. 26mpg (UK) in the V8 and a couple more in the V6. The 3.5 V6 Ecoboost in a Range Rover would be a great combination Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 hour ago, L19MUD said: Alaska is on the list... Would you recommend it (not the truck!) we did western Canada last year and loved it. Oh hell yeah, it's a very different place and some stunning scenery. We drove up Dalton Highway to the Arctic circle sign (albeit in summer), and out to Kenicott mines (totally awesome), Denali national park, Seward Waterfront RV Park (watching golden eagles fishing with the sun setting behind the mountains)... other places whose names I forget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 A very sorry state was seen when I took the drivers side rocker cover off. Massive sludge build up which must have blocked the oil ways. The cam surfaces are rusty! This engine is scrap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 Its seems secondhand 5.4 Tritons in the UK are as rare as rocking horse poo...time to delve deeper and find out why she is seized/try and get it moving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 This is a great project - I am quite jealous! I've said it before but I loved the one we had when we were in the US for a couple of weeks. I would have one in a flash if I could persuade the other half! I wonder if one of the good things that might come out of Brexit could be more of these American trucks over here, at lower prices with easier parts to find?! Even a RHD setup over time perhaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Sounds like the perfect excuse to put a Coyote in 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 4 hours ago, reb78 said: This is a great project - I am quite jealous! I've said it before but I loved the one we had when we were in the US for a couple of weeks. I would have one in a flash if I could persuade the other half! I wonder if one of the good things that might come out of Brexit could be more of these American trucks over here, at lower prices with easier parts to find?! Even a RHD setup over time perhaps. Lets wait to see if I can change it from a 2.5 ton garden ornament before you get jealous!! My other half is just as excited! I would change the RR for a newer one as a daily driver but the work car park means this is just not possible. £7-8k for a nice one was never going to happen for a toy....£2k plus some work is just about manageable! 4 hours ago, elbekko said: Sounds like the perfect excuse to put a Coyote in What is a Coyote? Other than a wild dog.... This is my plan - happy for suggestions Remove other rocker cover and check cam followers for damage - assuming no damage (as with the other bank) I can assume that the engine has seized due to oil starvation from the oil pickup being blocked from some of that gunk. I then need to free the engine off. I have two options from here..... Option 1, Get plugs out (will need to buy the tool from the US first) , put ATF down the bores and leave to soak, then try and get her turning over. Give an initial clean up without removing heads. Check main and big end bearings and check I don't have a spun bearing. Borescope down the bores and look up from sump to make sure the bores are not scored. Bolt all back together with some fresh oil and see if she will start. I would then have to strip back down and take heads off to clean the oilways. Option 2, Remove heads and thus avoid the plug issue as can take them out easily when the head is off. Put some ATF in the bores and try to unseize without damaging the bores (can also see if I already have bore damage and thus a scrap engine). Check mains and big end bearings and check I don't have a spun bearing. I can then clean heads in the parts washer and thoroughly flush the bores. Using this approach I can't then see if she will start without spending some money If I have got to either Option 1 or option 2 and not found irreversible damage I will then replace the timing parts, phasers, cam followers if required, main and big end bearings if starting to wear (assuming the crank is in spec) etc, replace heads, time up and hope for the best Option 1 has some extra labour time but gives me the option of seeing if I have other problems before I throw a load of money at her, option 2 removes the spark plug issue but means I really need to buy all the parts and fit before I see if she will start What do people think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Coyote engine: https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6007-M50A Certainly out of scope for this project, but a bargain if you ask me..... Option 1, but personally I wouldn't bother checking the spun bearing possibility until after a good long soak in aft/alternative libation and a long lever bar on the crank bolt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveturnbull Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 How much is the special plug spanner, and how long will it take to get over here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 6 minutes ago, daveturnbull said: How much is the special plug spanner, and how long will it take to get over here? £70 - be here by Thursday next week if I order by tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveturnbull Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Ouch! Is it made of unobtanium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 Yes! £23 is VAT and shipping though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackshifter Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 I'd go option 2. You don't have to buy anything before having a good look round. If a bore is goosed or a bearing has spun- it did seize remember - and the engine is u/s - why spend the money on a plug spanner? You would however need a gasket set, but you'd know the top end was all good, and you could have a good look at the rest. Blimey though, how on earth did it get into that state? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 (edited) The colour of the oil sludge and the rust on the cams suggests water in the oil ? Definitely worth pulling apart for a look though , I'm trying not to look at Dodge dually's for sale right now cheers Steve b Edited April 14, 2019 by steve b oil & water wrong way round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Great project even if it is a little more than you hoped for. I would take the heads off and the sump if you can do it in situ? Atleast then you can inspect everything easily and build up a parts list to reduce shipping costs and it's only a days work to strip down? The american stuff always feels much slower than it should be for the fuel used, I think traditionally they like big, unstressed engines as they have some pretty high up hills to go over and the lack of oxygen can really sap the power. I went up a high hill in a hire car once near flagstaff, from memory it was heading towards 10,000 feet, and the engine was gutless, everytime you pressed the brake pedal the ABS went crazy and I couldn't lock the door at the top due to some huge communication masts that seemed to be zapping everything. That and you can still be a long way from anywhere with no phone signal in the US. The gearboxes are also really lazy old autos. I think they've had to move in line with the rest of the world due to fuel price and competition more recently, but they still like their big trucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 15, 2019 Author Share Posted April 15, 2019 22 hours ago, steve b said: The colour of the oil sludge and the rust on the cams suggests water in the oil ? Yes it does - but not from the usual sources. I have done some research on the F150 forum and spoken to a few people there. Apparently these engines suffer badly from condensation in the rocker covers when they are used for short trips in cold climates and not given regular oil changes. That's what I suspect has happened here. I had hoped to come back here today and say I have got the other rocker off and the sump and report back findings. Unfortunately something totally unforeseen has happened and I have got to take the truck back (at least for now). It turns out that the UK duty had never been paid on it as it has been transferred within the USAF (who are exempt), on trying to transfer to me the duty needs to be paid. This would not have been a problem if it had been thought of in advance as a value could have been agreed and the duty paid. As it is the person I bought off is liable for the duty as per the new vehicle price until that can be sorted (Probably around £6-8k of duty!). To complicate matters further she is coming out of the USAF on Wednesday. The only solution we have is for me to give it back so It can be inspected if necessary and she will transfer ownership temporarily onto another USAF person until the duty amount can be agreed and paid. When all of that is done I will get it back...if I want it I may be able to negotiate on the price too. Watch this space.....looks like I will be changing my workshop plans for next weekend! Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 If you have a USAF contact you might negotiate a replacement engine arriving in the boot of a transport plane with somewhat discounted postage... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 16, 2019 Author Share Posted April 16, 2019 Well its gone back now - no idea if I ever hear from them again...beginning to think the whole thing was bad luck. My L322 developed a hole in the front air bag on the way there which made dropping it off stressful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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