Hey Everyone,

I am looking into doing the spark plugs on my 08 5.4, does this engine have any issues in terms of the plugs breaking? Its got a build date of 05/08.

Also any suggestions on spark plug brands for this motor?

Thanks in Advance
Calvin

 

How many miles are on the truck. If there are more than 75000 miles I would just take my time backing them out. Loosen 1/4 of a turn, tighten a little then back out, etc....Don't forget to blow out the valleys with air or a good shop vac. Since you have a build date 5-08 you have the one piece plugs and will not have any issues. Take your time on the first one, then you will get the feel for the rest of them, should take you about an hour. For future reference change them every 50000 miles.

 

TSB
08-7-6
SPARK PLUG REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS - 4.6L 3V/5.4L 3V/6.8L 3V
Publication Date: April 1, 2008

FORD:
2005-2008 Mustang
2004-2008 F-150
2005-2008 Expedition, F-Super Duty
2006-2008 Explorer, F-53 Motorhome Chassis
2007-2008 Explorer Sport Trac
LINCOLN:
2005-2008 Navigator
2006-2008 Mark LT
MERCURY:
2006-2008 Mountaineer
This article supersedes TSB 08-1-9 to update Vehicle Applications, Service Procedure and Part List.

ISSUE:

Some 2004-2008 F-150, 2006-2008 Mark LT, 2005-2008 F-Super Duty, Expedition, and Navigator, with 5.4L 3-V engine; 2005-2008 Mustang, 2006-2008 Explorer, Mountaineer, and 2007-2008 Explorer Sport Trac with 4.6L 3-V engine; 2005-2008 F-Super Duty, 2006-2008 and F-Stripped Chassis, with 6.8L 3-V engine may experience difficulty with spark plug removal. This may cause damage to the spark plug and leave part of the spark plug in the cylinder head. Affected engine build dates are as follows: 5.4L 3-V and 6.8L 3-V before 10/9/07, 4.6L 3-V before 11/30/07.

 

On my 2004 F350 with 5.4 I replace my plugs ever 30k, now have 119k on the truck with no issues at all

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup

 

There is a engine build date in 11\30\07 where there is a plug design change. I believe if the coil boot is brown you have the newer design. The new plug design is just a regular 1 piece plug not the older 2 piece design that gets stuck in the head. My 08 f150 had a engine build date 1 month after the change and I had zero issues changing plugs.

 

Thanks everyone. The truck has 93,xxx miles, the guy said he did the plugs but after doing other maintenance on the truck. I think he may have skipped those as he skipped other maintenance items. Any suggestions on brand? Stick with motor craft?

Calvin

 

His build date is 5/08 ^^^^ this does not apply.

 

I change my 1998 and 2000 at 45,000 just to make sure there are no issues. Never any problems at all with them.

 

i would stick with the newer one piece Ford OEM plugs. My 2004 has different plugs than you but i get mine from Advanced Auto for $3.30 a plug, WAY CHEAPER than my local Ford dealer

Advance Auto Parts: Search Results for motorcraft spark plug

 

That's why I posted it, to show the OP his truck did not come with the spark plugs that can break, which was the original question.

 

Thanks for the info,

I'm gonna go with the motor craft plugs the cheapest I can find them is 9.43 per plug.

Thanks,
Calvin

 

I think you can get the motorcraft
sp509 plugs for 7.42 from rock auto.

 

Yes they break. I ran an 08 F150 with the 5.4 for 330000km. I had the plugs changed every 75000km and some broke every time. The shop I used told me to run a bottle or 2 of combustion chamber cleaner through the gas tank before bringing it in to loosen the carbon on the plug threads. They would clean out the plug area very well, crack each plug an 1/8 turn and than apply penetrating oil and let soak overnight. They still broke some each time. They have the broken plug extractor tool so they always got them out.

 

I pretty much do the vast majority of the work on my trucks, but on either of my cabover ford's I won't ever do the spark plugs again. The ones in the back are a mother to get to, I was careful and slowly worked each one back and forth and still broke two and spent half a day trying to get the pieces out of the cylinders using a flexible camera and very small magnet. It wasn't a lot of fun, and my neighbors don't even look at me anymore after they heard me cursing like I did. The only good news on those trucks is most of the spark plugs are platinum and last 100K.

Take it in and spend the 80-100 bucks and have it done. My 2 cents.