Why does the starter keep going out on my 2001 F150 4x4

The engine is too heavy right now maybe it's time to you flush the motor

Flush what exactly please? And I was always told to just drain and not flush (transmission for example) to get all of the crud out instead of stirring it up?

Don't I have to be able to start the truck to flush the radiator? So after replacing the starter I should try flushing the radiator to lighten the engine and thus keep the starter from getting too hot?

I'm sorry to be such a novice at this repair stuff. I have a good friend that has been replacing my starters and I just want to be able to tell him what I found out. Thanks so very much.

Does your exhaust pipe run close to the starter? In my younger days I had a Roadrunner 383 which would eat up starters. Finally brought it to a local speed shop and the mechanic stated when someone changed the original starter they removed the heat shield and did not replace it. Couldn't find one, even in a junk yard, as most are discarded when starters are pulled out. Check and see if the vehicle came with a heat shield when new. If it did, you'll probably have to have one made. Your problem sounds heat related.

Your trouble is an O'Reilly starter we have three different trucks and we have put new starters on them and every time we turn around the O'Reilly starter goes bad so we ended up putting Factory starters on them and have not had no more problems the Parts O'Reilly's is getting is sorry

Well here's one for the books, I have 97' F-150 w/ 4.2 V-6 and a 5 speed trans. I replaced my starter 13 x's in the last 4 yrs, always with a lifetime warranty. I two or three weeks the F___er goes out every time. I have checked all connections and used a wire brush along with dielectric grease. checked the current with a ohm tester and replaced the neutral safety switch, new battery and new terminals. Cleaned where starter is mounded and applied dielectric grease at contacts to the block, new HD solenoid on the firewall. And now it sits in driveway waiting for to go out and fix it.

My 5.4 in my "98 Expedition has the starter go out about every three to four months. Been using Autozone starters. Been 4 months now and this one starting. If I turn the key several times, just keep bumping the key to start, it finally starts. I'm thinking it's developing a dead spot in the windings of the motor or the internal bearing are starting to go and the starter is starting to lock up;. either way, bumping the starter eventually gets it to a spot where it turns over.

2003 F150 with 210,000 miles and the starter still works perfectly but I keep it tuned up so it starts easily. Try Motorcraft.