Ford Expedition question

[OC Campers]

We are thinking of replacing our Astro van and maybe buying a used Ford Expedition.  I am looking at a 2001 that has 34,000 miles on it.  I have been looking around and have noticed 2 different engines.  One is a 4.6 liter and the other is a 5.4 liter.  We will probably be keeping our Westlake for a couple more years and then upgrading to either a smaller hybrid (19-21 ft) or a high-wall popup.  I have no doubt that either engine will tow my Westlake but what about the hybrid or high-wall?  Also could you tell me how much an Expedition is rated to tow?  Any help would be appreciated.
 
Jacqui

[tlhdoc]

The 5.4 engines have a history of spark plug problem, the plugs blow out of the number 3 cylinder.  This is the same engine offered in the F-150s.   My Explorer has the same 4.6 engine and its tow capacity is over 7000 pounds.

[ForestCreature]

We don't have an Expedition, but do have the 5.4 engine in our van. It's been a good dependable motor. If you plan on moving up to a hybrid or a heavier PU I'd stay away from the 4.6

[tlhdoc]

We don't have an Expedition, but do have the 5.4 engine in our van. It's been a good dependable motor. If you plan on moving up to a hybrid or a heavier PU I'd stay away from the 4.6

Why?  

[ForestCreature]

Why?  

Power !  your gas mileage drop will  be less while towing & not be much different than the 4.6 while not towing , handling inclines better... We get 18  to 20 mpg towing with the 5.4.... what do you get with the 4.6?

[6Quigs]

The Expedition with the 4.6 liter is rated to tow 6,300 lbs, thats only 800 lbs more than the Astro's 5,500 lb towing capacity.
The 5.4 liter engine, depending on the rear axle ratio is rated to tow 6,700 or 7,700 or 8,200 lbs,which if you are thinking of a Hybrid in a few years time is the better engine to get.
I presume you will be looking at Hybrids in the 4,000 to 5,000 lb range, so will need the extra towing capacity.

[tlhdoc]

Well my trailer is 3000 pounds with bikes on top.  14 mpg when towing at 75mph.  At 60 mph I get 17 towing.  If we tow in flat land it is much better.    How much does your trailer weigh?  How much can you tow with your van?
 
When the spark plug blows it cost $1500 to $3000 for a new head.  DH had the plug blow in December, just driving down the highway.

[griffsmom]

Hay Jacqui!
 
 We have a 2003 Expedition with the 5.4L engine. It's rated to tow 7900 pounds. But don't just look at number of pounds it can tow, but also torque b/c that goes to how well it tows those pounds.  Beyond that, I'm not very technically inclined, so I'll let the big boys weigh in on that.
 
 Dave was a Chevy man before the Expy, but he really likes it.  It's roomy and can take a whole carload from a campground to dinner if need be.    We haven't had any trouble with spark plugs, so I dont know anything about that.  It's nice having all that power, especially on hills, and if we get a hybrid someday, we know we won't also have to get a new tow vehicle.  
 
 Hope that helps!

[OC Campers]

Thanks everyone for the input.  I think we better go get a consumer reports and figure out what is going on with the engine/spark problems.

Jacqui

[Dee4j]

Thanks everyone for the input.  I think we better go get a consumer reports and figure out what is going on with the engine/spark problems.

Jacqui

Jaquai, get the 5.4 we have the 4.6. we opted for the everyday gas milage over the power but that was BEFORE the hybrid. I used to be able to do the toll road at 60 with barely any effort now its an effort to go 40-50. when I trade this in it will have the bigger engine.

[copcarguy]

Hey all!

The 4.6L came out in 1992 in Crown Vics/Grand Marquis/Town Cars and was Ford's first "modular" engine.  I guess they designed major components ("modules") to be interchangable throughout an engine family...  While I have heard of the aforementioned spark plug problem on 5.4's I can say from a LOT of experience that the 4.6 has proven indestructable.  What a cool little V8!  I have had them in many, many Police Crown Vic's and they simply love to rev high and hard.  (While also withstanding abuse that police cars endure!)  If you are used to an old pushrod V8 that makes torque way down low, then the 4.6 screamer will take some getting used to...  When I ordered my new E-250 van, copcargirl was very surprised that we only got the 4.6L, being that we usually order the biggest baddest motor available.  I told her that the 4.6 was waaaay more reliable than the base 4.2L V6 and the optional 5.4L, and the 6.8L V10 is a gas hog.  We have a Powerstroke Diesel in our F-250 so we didn't want another diesel vehicle.  The reason that we didn't get an E-350 was because the 4.6 isn't available.  I tow a loaded car trailer with the van (5800 pounds), a boat, an ATV trailer, and of course the camper.  I ordered the 4.10 rear axle ratio and have no problem doing whatever speed I want wherever I want with the 4.6L.  Solo I get 18mpg if I put the cruise on @ 60mph, and towing I get 15 @ 60mph.  I hope this helped or at the very least gave you some more confusing information...  lol  :screwy:

[ForestCreature]

Well my trailer is 3000 pounds with bikes on top. 14 mpg when towing at 75mph. At 60 mph I get 17 towing. If we tow in flat land it is much better. How much does your trailer weigh? How much can you tow with your van?
 
 When the spark plug blows it cost $1500 to $3000 for a new head. DH had the plug blow in December, just driving down the highway.

Tracy,  the towing cap on my van is 6,700.. but we all know what they say and what we can all tow comfortably while maintaing acceptable power when needed in reality is different.  If I were to tow that much I'd want at least a 250 Truck or Van  with better suspension than my little 150 can offer.
 The Aliner tops out loaded at 2,400 lbs and  you have seen part of the mess I drag along in the back of the van !
 
 I did a little digging on the net and found that this spark plug blowout issue you talked about is not just with the 5.4, but also the 4.6 and  read of instances on the V10 too. We have 70,000 and so far so good..seems to be a hit and miss thing. In reading , the best thing that can be done to avoid this is to change the factory installed plugs, be sure to not cross thread and tighten to specs.
 
 We did a tune up at 45,000 miles for no real reason other than we were taking a road trip, maybe we avoided that happening  without even knowing.

[carlstone00]

Well my trailer is 3000 pounds with bikes on top.  14 mpg when towing at 75mph.  At 60 mph I get 17 towing.  If we tow in flat land it is much better.    How much does your trailer weigh?  How much can you tow with your van?
 
When the spark plug blows it cost $1500 to $3000 for a new head.  DH had the plug blow in December, just driving down the highway.

When the spark plug blows it cost $1500 to $3000 for a new head.  DH had the plug blow in December, just driving down the highway.[/QUOTE]


I have a 1997 Ford F-250, and the problem is the original plugs in the motor.  They are rated for 100,000 miles, but have a problem with ruining the coil packs around 70,000-90,000.  I had this happen at around 95,000 and the only damage is to the spark plug and coil pack.  Because the engine uses coil packs on each plug rather than a distributor, you have to replace both.  I decided to have all my plugs and coil packs replaced and the cost was $850.  You can replace the individual plug an coil pack, but the cost for one is about $200.  I would recommend replacing if they haven't been yet.  If they have, you should be fine.  I have over 100,000 miles on mine and it shows no signs of slowing down soon.  

Carlstone
1997 F-250
Currently looking at PUCs to replace the tent

[JUST4FUN]

This is what i have learned 4.6/5.4 spark plugs,the plugs that come with the motors are not threded all the way to the seat of the plug there is a gap. The dealer that I get the parts to fix the police cars i work on told me to buy plugs with the threads all the way to the seat , so i did and not one car has had a problem (out of 120 cars) had three cars do it (plug blowout) before the swap i did this to my 2001 Expedition 5.4.with 260 hp and 350tq it pulls my hi-bird very good plenty of power to spare

[jstaddwtr]

We have the 5.4 in our 02' 150 van.  We could not be happier with the engine.  I have driven for hours towing our Utah, at ...let's just say high speeds, ...with bikes and canoe and kayaks on the TV roof and camper.  If we did it again we would go for the 250 or 350 just because of the heavier duty suspension and hardware. The 150 jsut rides so low even before being loaded.

I appreciate reading everyones ideas regarding their engines.  It is this kind of sharing that makes this site worth the time.  There is seldom a right answer that fits everyone, but a great exchange of information.  

We personally like the acceleration on the hills, and mountains.  Power has never been an issue...(stopping is a whole other discussion (I will save for another thread) )

I would buy the 5.4 again.