2004 F150 5.4L Stalling Issue

TreeGuy · #1 11-13-2018, 01:03 AM

Any insight would be appreciated.

After lots of online research and about $1000 in changing out parts, I'm at the end of my rope.

This was apparently a common issue with this model year.

I've had the truck for over a year and a half and absolutely love it. It began stalling shortly after I bought it. A full service of plugs, filters, etcs seemed to mitigate the issue. It quit at idle, but occasionally. Eventually, the stalling entirely went away on its own and stayed that way for over a year now. We figured that the computer had reset itself as the truck had sat for quite some time.

Over the weekend though, my daughter and I went out hunting. I filled up prior. Through the course of the day, it became absolutely terrible. Would not stay running. Within seconds of coming off of the accelerator it would die. Had to drive with two feet to keep the RPMs up.

As a bit of a long shot, I pulled the gas cap off. Thinking that it perhaps was not breathing properly and creating a vacuum in the system. Especially considering that this seems to be a colder weather problem.

It has definitely improved the problem, but it's still there but on an occasional basis.

The closest thing I've read online that could be the problem is a vacuum line between the engine and firewall leaking. Absolutely miserable to get at. However, most of the threads on the Ford forums are extremely dated, and there are a wide variety of opinions/solutions.

Any experiences/advice would be appreciated.

Tree

Lites out · #2 11-13-2018, 06:15 AM

You say you filled it up prior.Could it be ****ty fuel?Probably not the problem but it may contribute to rough idle. 5.4 was known for faulty cam sensor which is a bit of a major! Good luck

artie · #3 11-13-2018, 06:19 AM

I had a problem like that but in a 97 chev half ton. Finally it just quit and turned out to be the fuel pump in the gas tank.

MooseRiverTrapper · #4 11-13-2018, 06:41 AM

Fuel pump. Fuel filter. Fuel line pinched. Fuel interia switch. Sounds like a fuel supply issue.

58thecat · #5 11-13-2018, 07:06 AM

Gas lime anti freeze....dump a bunch in.....go cheap route first.....moisture....freezing temps....

overhere · #6 11-13-2018, 07:11 AM

Sounds like a vacum line is leaking possible the pcv line (common). Or iac has failed . Pm me for some more info if you like

270person · #7 11-13-2018, 10:33 AM

Is this the 5.4 Triton? Might make no difference but my old 06 was hesitating, chugging, at times, usually at the beginning of a hill when the revs would come up. Replaced fuel sensor, fuel sending sensor?, in or just outside tank, ( I didnt do it), and voila. No more issues. Found a shop just south of whitemud, 97 or 99 ave that knew Fords well and they did a great job.

They also managed to get all 8 previously unchanged plugs out at 200k without snapping one which is no mean feat.

Kurt505 · #8 11-13-2018, 11:46 AM

Does it sound like a diesel? If it does it’s the Cam phaser. Couple options, replace entire engine, cost will depend on new or used engine. Replace the Cam phasers for about $3500, or do what I did and tell the mechanic he can keep the truck just give me the tires off it. Mine was a 2008.

I will never buy another ford, even if the newer ones seem fine, the whole experience ticks me off. Worst part is, I spent $2300 on the mechanic monkeying around with it first, I even told the idiot it was the Cam phasers when I first brought it in!

Sooner · #9 11-13-2018, 11:58 AM

If removing the gas cap helped, this may not be a issue for you but check your air intake. The hose that comes from the air box to the manifold. I recently bought used F250 with the V10, the hose clamp was loose on the manifold side. Same issue, ran then died unless I had my foot into it. Re fit and tighten and issue gone.

New fuel filter and fuel pump? A friends Chev had a similar issue. Fuel pump was the culprit.

German · #10 11-15-2018, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 270person

Is this the 5.4 Triton? Might make no difference but my old 06 was hesitating, chugging, at times, usually at the beginning of a hill when the revs would come up. Replaced fuel sensor, fuel sending sensor?, in or just outside tank, ( I didnt do it), and voila. No more issues. Found a shop just south of whitemud, 97 or 99 ave that knew Fords well and they did a great job.

They also managed to get all 8 previously unchanged plugs out at 200k without snapping one which is no mean feat.

X2 on that. I had an 04 and it had the same problem. This fixed it.

Stinky Buffalo · #11 11-15-2018, 02:36 PM

The 5.4's had an issue with the fuel pump control, located on the frame crossmember forward of the spare tire.

Its housing was made of aluminum, and being in contact with the steel crossmember would cause a cathodic reaction, which would mean the housing would fall apart (literally turn to dust/bauxite), and the circuitry would fail due to moisture/contamination.

Have a look under the truck, and see if that housing looks like this:

I bought a replacement (Amazon) for around $100. Easy to change, problem solved.

The new ones come with standoffs, that electrically isolate the housing from the frame:

Disclaimer: The part number required for your specific application may not match the part number in the picture!