Ford F150 Issues

Does anyone here have any experience with the 1999 - 2002 F150 5.4 4X4 trucks? Specifically, this is a 2001 model and is just like new.

Couple of issues:

1) I was unaware of the "spoken rule" of 5.4 ownership - NEVER wash the engine. Did it, now it misses like Christine before her rebuild. Dead miss, probably killed a COP (Coil on plug) or two. Online queries are mixed concerning the ability of cleaning out the water in the plug bores and the coil surviving. Any experience?

2) Neighbor bought the truck new, strict maintenance, records aplenty, has been a stellar truck. About 1.5 years ago, it started a weird vibration/sound when taking off on a hill or under strain. Feels driveline-related, not engine. Lasts for 2-3 seconds as the truck moves away from a stop, then all is fine. He was told the rear end was shot. It is a 4X4 Off Road package 4 door extended cab version. Not the Crew Cab, so no carrier bearing. Has no issues once underway, except an very faint roar. Has gotten no worse since, but is still present. Any experience with this symptom?

3) Oil pressure gauge works for 2 seconds then quits until the truck warms up a little or the outside temp is above 50. Truck holds excellent oil pressure, and this is a glitch, but it is such a nice vehicle, I want that annoyance remedied. Any idea?

You input is greatly appreciated. I am aware of the notorious ejecting - plug syndrome, and the weak transmissions. Always been terrified to chance owning one, but the deal was just too good to pass up and I knew the care it has received throughout it's life.

Thanks!

I wonder if you have 'converter sudder' ?

the fix is friction modifier in the ATF

Lubeguard Green has kept the shudder away from me

as far as getting any water out of the plug wells, remove the COPS & blow them out with air. cylinder diagnosing is as easy as disconnecting 1 coil at a time, then the injectors. move the coil from a dead cylinder to another to determine if it's the coil or injector

yes you wash these engines at some risk

Hey Joe.  We've got a '99 with that same combo.  4x4 5.4 extended cab.  We bought it for my stepson, from one of those small dealerships, so we don't have much history on it.  We recently had a problem with it missing.  Code said it was cylinder 5.  I pulled the COP, and it had a little moisture, so I replaced it.  No problems since.  I can't offer anything on the other issues.  Fuel pump seems to be a common problem.  We started having problems with ours, where it wouldn't start intermittently.  You either have to drop the tank, or some people have lifted the bed off to get to it.  I don't have the time for that, so we took it to a shop to fix that issue.

Eventful afternoon. I got home right before dark and decided to start pulling the COPs off. First one was a bit loose, came off with no problem. 2nd one twisted after removing the screw (good, I thought) but came apart when I pulled on it. Looked like a coiled heating element. 3rd one did the same. #$%@&#%$^&% Dammit. Truck was blocking everything, so I shoved those two back together and reinstalled the 1st COP. Hoped for the best and started it to move it over. It ran perfectly. WTF? Took it around the block with zero missing.

Ok. So now I know it needs all 8 COPs and new plugs (since it would be a good time).

Next, I started off up my hill. Same grumbling/shudder/slight vibration until I get rolling. I stop on the hill and preload the converter with a little gas - takes right off. Try it again 2 more times after preloading the converter. Same results. Now I turn the truck around and try in reverse. Not an issue unless I push it to the point of spinning the tires. The shudder is worse in forward motion.

Could very well be in the transmission, but there is still that very quiet roar that you really have to concentrate to hear at low speeds. Preloading the converter takes up the transmission slack, but probably does so in the rear end as well. Still no closer to an educated guess until I get underneath.

Thank you guys for the suggestions. I am going to follow up on them all, as I really like this old truck, and it was a great deal...I hope.