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2008 3v 5.4 with 96k on the original plugs. Got all 8 out without any breaking. Here's the method I used:
1. Start truck up and let it get to operating temp.
2. Shut off truck.
3. Remove all coils.
4. Blow out spark plug holes and surrounding areas with air compressor.
5. Crack each plug 1/4 turn.
6. Spray carb cleaner and penetrating oil in each hole.
7. Let it sit overnight.
8. Use an impact to remove the plugs.
My impact isn't very compact so I had to unplug and remove a few things to get the back 2 plugs, but it can be done.
I am not taking credit for creating this method. It is on Youtube and has been posted numerous times on this forum, but it seems like people still don't know about the success rate of using an impact so I wanted to make a thread for any newcomers to see.
That being said, I have a brand new Lisle Spark Plug tool if anyone wants to buy it...
What a mess.... but I got them out. Couldn't have done it without the removal tool. The porcelain was stuck in the bottom of every one that broke. The tool I used didn't have a tool to remove the porcelain, but said in the instructions that it was available (big help! lol) but I got by.
#5 and #6 came out clean and I thought we were on easy street.
#7 didn't come out with that scary movie squeaky door opening sound.
The plug didn't break where it seems to normally break, and there was more ceramic in 'in the hole' than I expected.
We used the tool to press everything inwards.
Turns out that we broke the cross strap pushing everything inwards.
We used a shop vac and hand necked the nozzle to some small 1/4" tubing we shoved into the spark plug hole. We put the wife's pantyhose inline of the shop vac hose to see what we pulled in.
We were able to account for all but a sliver of ceramic.
The rest of the plugs came out uneventful, if you don't account for the acrobatics of getting to #3 (which was more challenging than #4 in my mind) and all of the skin cuts required.
Overall, I am glad to have the tool on hand for even one cylinder. I would have been equally as happy to have the tool and not needed it.
IF I'd gotten more than 7 of the 8 out without breaking them, I'd agree with you... not sure what I should have done differently, though. I followed the instructions to a tee.
#3 was the only one on this one that came out completely, so I suppose I was lucky? lol Oh, well. It's done and seems to be running well now.
Yep, that was #8, the hardest one to get out. The center electrode broke off with the porcelain and was stuck in there. I think I got lucky there for sure.
Running Seafoam or something similar through the vacuum line to the power steering booster at about 2500 rpm is supposed to help break up the carbon deposits on the spark plug. It would seem logical to do this before pulling the plugs...less carbon buildup, less friction to overcome.
Well, I'm going to tackle the spark plugs tomorrow (2005 F150 Lariat 5.4) will hit 120,000 miles today and as far as I know the plugs are original. Bought the truck at 80,000 miles, I got the Motorcraft plugs and the Lisle tool just in case. According to the Haynes manual you only have to warm up the engine when you have the 4.6? I'm just planning on removing all the coils and spraying them all with PB blaster before trying to loosen them.
Well, I'm going to tackle the spark plugs tomorrow (2005 F150 Lariat 5.4) will hit 120,000 miles today and as far as I know the plugs are original. Bought the truck at 80,000 miles, I got the Motorcraft plugs and the Lisle tool just in case. According to the Haynes manual you only have to warm up the engine when you have the 4.6? I'm just planning on removing all the coils and spraying them all with PB blaster before trying to loosen them.
Spend 3 hours this morning and got 5 done, 4 of them broke. Spend probably 1 1/2 hour on just one plug that wouldn't come out. Had to use the tool in step one about 6 times because every time I tried to extract it with the second tool it popped out and had to start over again..... Will tackle the other 3 tomorrow.
10-06-2014, 07:24 AM
