View Full Version : Ford Triton motor fouling
ChuckD
03-10-2003, 11:57 AM
I have a '97 F150 5.4L that died on me after fishing the other day. The truck is in the shop now and the mechanic said that likely a spark plug(s) fouled out. I couldn't believe it as in all my experiences with vehicles I have never heard of this. Then the next day I was talking to a friend who said that this problem happened to 2 of his trucks in the past!!
I baby my truck and it's always maintained to a T. Unfortunately, I was going to give it a full tune up when the temp got about 30 degrees since I don't have a shop/garage.
I was just thinking if this happened to me 300 miles from home, good grief! I'd be stranded. Those Triton engines are not easy to work on!
Just curious if anyone else has heard of this or had this issue? Any way to prevent this?
Stormsearch
03-11-2003, 04:43 AM
How many miles? The first major tune up is not due until 100K. Check www.f150online.com for more info.
ChuckD
03-11-2003, 12:32 PM
Turned out to be a "coil" went bad and the engine would not run, engine ran too rich for the Catalytic Converter system. I guess they have seen another case of the same #4 cylinder coil going out (farthest cylinder near the fire wall, hardest to fix). The 5.4 engine doesn't have spark plug wires. Glad I wasn't fishing hundreds of miles from home!
The truck was due for a tune up anyways. Now I know how to maintain it myself, it's not an easy job by any means.
mechanic
03-11-2003, 05:57 PM
Buy GM and avoid the trouble.
Chuck The problem you had with the #4 coil going out has been a very comon problem on alot of f150 over the years. Now that you have replaced your coil, make sure you fix the cause of your failed coil. You most likey had a small coolant leak coming from the heater hoses right on top of the coil that would dip into the wiring connector and into the coil causing it to fail. The leak can be so small that it you may have not even noticed it , but it is enough to cause problems. Just something you may what to check to avoid future prolems. DJH
FISH4U
03-11-2003, 07:53 PM
THATS A VERY PROMINENT PROBLEM IN THE 5.4'S NOT IN THE 4.6'S
ChuckD
03-12-2003, 08:59 AM
DJH- Right on, exactly the case. The mechanic said that he has fixed that same one (#4) on another 5.4 and learned of the coolant leak. He said he tweeked mine so the leak should not occur again. Something about a clamp, or hose fitting???
From what I was told the 4.6L engines do not have this coil system. They have regular spark plug wires.
For the wise crack, I love my Fords. I've owned a lot of trucks and this is THE first problem I have ever had with any of my Fords over the years. I look at it this way, it needed at tune up anyways! It was complicated, so I needed to learn how to service this truck myself somehow! :)
Thanks for the advice!