I have a similar thread going on in the superduty section but I figured I'd ask here as well. I'm looking at a 2003 F250 with a 5.4 really nice truck. I'm just concerned with the blown spark plug issue with this engine. The truck has 135k on it.

 

the ejecting spark plugs was a issue with too little torque on the spark plugs. I think earlier models were down around 14 ft/lb on the spark plugs. ? This was remedied with increasing the spark plug torque to 28ft/lbs. Those who did this higher spark plug torque virtually eliminated the issue.

In the mean time Ford did increase the amount of material in the heads for the 03' units. Or at least this was the case for the f150's, presume that revamped head design followed to the f250's too.

IF your considered unit has not had the spark plugs changed yet....then it very likely due anyway & you can make sure they get the 28ft/lbs treatment

 

Thanks for the response. The torque does seem to be the consensus to solve the problem. I don't believe the plugs have been changed but he did mention a case of blown plug.

 

IF it had in deed puked a plug...then getting all the details as to how it was repaired is critical.

IF it was repaired with a Time Sert...then odds are good it there to stay.

IF it was repaired with a Heili-coil...I would be very suspicious that it will need to be redone...sooner the better

 

I think he said it was repaired with a heili coil. Would that be a deal breaker?

 

that is up to you...depends on what they are asking?

Like earlier mentioned...get all the details on it...as much as you can anyway...talk to the shop that did it...if you must.

they can be "redone" I know that the Time serts have different sizes...so repairs can be done, over failed ones, ( to some extent...there are limits). ++ TIME-SERT Threaded inserts for stripped threads, threaded inserts, thread repair stripped sparkplug's, Ford sparkplug blowouts, threaded inserts threaded, repair stripped threads, stripped threads, inserts threaded inserts, Ford spark plug repair,

 

Hes asking 8,500 I know I can get him down from that a ways. The trucks in really good shape. Small dent in bumper is about all that's wrong with it. Regular cab long bed xlt

 

I would look for another. Too many things can go wrong with an incorrect repair.

 

I guess I wouldn't be so eager to move on..not just yet anyway.

If you can get more info on the repair history, as much as you can, (not just this ejected plug deal), that would be good.

I certainly would run the vin# through Carfax or AutoCheck or both

depending on the milage KBB suggests that it tops out at $6864....so at $8500 is plenty high with presuming XLT and 2wd and 120K on the clock.

Now if it is a 4wd then it tops out about $9100

 

It is a 4wd truck.

As I have always been told if its meant to be its meant to be and apparently this wasn't meant to be because the truck has been sold.

Thanks everyone for the help.....At least I have more knowledge I can put toward the next one that I find.