So I just bought this truck a few weeks ago...it’s a 2001 f-250 XLT supercab 4wd with the 5.4 gas...when I bought it I noticed it was misfiring and assumed it needed a tune up...after a few days of owning it and jumping in to change plugs and coils, that’s when I noticed the 7th plug had a time-sert...after changing all the plugs except number 4 (the furthest one back on passenger side) because I simply couldn’t get to it. The engine was still misfiring and rough...cleaned the throttle body and MAF as well...a few days later the plug with the time-sert started blowing out damaging the coil...and losing all power...I brought to a close shop and he managed to temporarily fix the plug and coil but he says it most likely needs a new motor...or a new head which would be more labor intensive and may not actually fix the issue..so now I am stressed with the prospect of having to spend a fortune on a replacement motor...I am lost at this point and would love input especially if anyone is in the Maryland region...it’s hard to find a good mechanic and I am trying to avoid the dealership because I might as well sell the truck as is if I go that route...I am brand new to the forum and would love all the help I could get..THANK YOU!!

 

Those engines have issues with the plugs blowing out and taking the threads with them. If the time-sert repair is done correctly they will last but other plugs may blow out later.
A friend had a F150 and he had three different plugs blow out over a few years. He did end up replacing his engine but I dont know if it was related to the plugs blowing out.

 

Thank you for your response...at first I had heard that the 3 valve 5.4 liters with the long electrodes on the plug which often broke during removal were going to be an issue and I was relieved to find out that I had a two valve...this motor just seems to be a nightmare...I have heard expeditions and 150s driving around and could hear the tapping noise from a mile away and I thought what was Ford thinking? And now I am dealing with this issue...I had a 6.0 power stroke before that started to go up right around 90,000 before someone thankfully came along and totaled it...so I was hoping that I had left Ford’s engine issues behind when I bought this gasser...I am going to start looking for shops that specialize in replacing these motors or at least full size trucks...but still any info or recommendations are greatly appreciated..