2013 Ford Expedition Limited EL 5.4L 3V

deerefan · Jan 12, 2016

My wife and I shopped for over 6 months, looking at both Suburbans and Expeditions, new and used. We finally bought one, a Kodiak Brown Metallic 2013 Limited EL. The fold flat power fold 3rd row seats and built in trailer brake controller sold us. It was also 2k cheaper than comparable Suburbans. Other than fuel mileage, we did not find a lot of negative reviews on the Expedition or its drivetrain. Anything we need to be aware of or look out for regarding these trucks? The 5.4 3V seems responsive, plenty of power. It had 37k miles on it, we paid 31k. No way could we justify 60k for a new one.

Diamondpilot · Jan 12, 2016

deerefan said:
My wife and I shopped for over 6 months, looking at both Suburbans and Expeditions, new and used. We finally bought one, a Kodiak Brown Metallic 2013 Limited EL. The fold flat power fold 3rd row seats and built in trailer brake controller sold us. It was also 2k cheaper than comparable Suburbans. Other than fuel mileage, we did not find a lot of negative reviews on the Expedition or its drivetrain. Anything we need to be aware of or look out for regarding these trucks? The 5.4 3V seems responsive, plenty of power. It had 37k miles on it, we paid 31k. No way could we justify 60k for a new one.

The fold flat seat is the key. My sister has a EL Expedition that has been rock solid. They are great vehicles.

Chris

Slice · Jan 12, 2016

deerefan said:
My wife and I shopped for over 6 months, looking at both Suburbans and Expeditions, new and used. We finally bought one, a Kodiak Brown Metallic 2013 Limited EL. The fold flat power fold 3rd row seats and built in trailer brake controller sold us. It was also 2k cheaper than comparable Suburbans. Other than fuel mileage, we did not find a lot of negative reviews on the Expedition or its drivetrain. Anything we need to be aware of or look out for regarding these trucks? The 5.4 3V seems responsive, plenty of power. It had 37k miles on it, we paid 31k. No way could we justify 60k for a new one.

Please read all you can on that 5.4 L motor. I had 08. Too many issues with motor.

DT86 · Jan 13, 2016

Are those the ones that like to break spark plugs?

TomSeller · Jan 13, 2016

Have had the 5.4 for many years., no issues. The spark plug issue is very few between and very very uncommon. Ford built bazillions of these engines and few had issues. No shame on these engines. Even if the engine did pop a plug, a good mechanic and take care of it without much issue.

Diamondpilot · Jan 13, 2016

Between me, my father, my sister and BIL, and my uncle we have had about 15 5.4 motors. Only issue to date is 2 broken plugs on my BIL's that he let the plugs go till 120K. If you add in my FIL and other BIL there are at least another half dozen 5.4 motors of which one had a Cam Phaser Issue.

Most expensive repair in all these trucks was $800

Chris

deerefan · Jan 13, 2016

Diamondpilot said:
Between me, my father, my sister and BIL, and my uncle we have had about 15 5.4 motors. Only issue to date is 2 broken plugs on my BIL's that he let the plugs go till 120K. If you add in my FIL and other BIL there are at least another 5.4 motors of which one had a Cam Phaser Issue. Most expensive repair in all these trucks was $800

Chris

DP,
What year is your sister's expedition?

deerefan · Jan 13, 2016

I must say I was disappointed in the Suburban. We were leaning towards them due to me being able to do basic repairs on it versus the more complicated 5.4. The 3rd row seat operation in the Suburban was a killer. I just can't believe it to Chevy so long to go to the fold flat design. We bought a limited, loaded with more options than we will ever need, for the same price of an LS/LT Suburban. I also like how the Expedition, eventhough our 13 Tundra 5.7 will do the majority of the towing, came with not only with a built in brake controller but also 3.73 gears. The best I could get with the Suburban was 3.42 and they were scarce. The majority was 3.08. We have filled up with fuel a couple times, going about 480 miles to a tank. We are averaging 16-17 mpg. It is very quiet on the inside, very little road noise. My wife and kids are enjoying the sunroof, a must for the wife when we were looking at vehicles. I will post some pictures when I get my phone to talk to my computer.

Diamondpilot · Jan 13, 2016

deerefan said:
DP, What year is your sister's expedition?

2008. Time flies. I would have guessed a 2011 or 2012. She said it averages 17 but they took it to Tampa over Fall Break and it did 21 or 22 mpg.

Chris

TractorGuy · Jan 13, 2016

Ford changed the spark plug design in 2008. It was the early design that had a barrel on the bottom of the plug that would break off in the head.

This is the difference in plugs.

My nephew bought a late model Explorer with a 3V 5.4. I couldn't believe they hadn't put the 5.0 in like they did the F150 in 2011. I had a 13 Mustang with the 5.0 and it was a sweet running engine. I still have a 99 Mustang and an 03 F150 with the old 2V 4.6 and both have been awesome. The Mustang developed a little timing chain rattle on start up but one day it just quit doing it. I suppose a tensioner ratchet was sticking and loosened up. The tensioners are supposed to click a tooth that prevents them from going back in the bore as the chain guides wear. I had just bought a chain, guide, and tensioner set when it fixed itself. Threw em on the shelf.