I'm still going to do my spark plug changes myself......

I ordered the Ford Rotunda Speciality Tool spark plug remover.....#303-1203.....to have on hand. Just in case I have a plug break off in one of the cylinder heads.
Sucks I have to buy a speciality tool to have on hand just to change spark plugs.
Damn Ford, what were you thinking when you designed these plugs?
I'll be very careful and follow the TSB, but a spark plug change shouldn't be this scary!!!
I'm currently at 37k miles. Spark plug change before I hit 40k. It will be interesting to see if we start reading more and more issues with this in a couple years as more 2004+ trucks start nearing 100k miles and more people start changing their plugs.

Ford does recommend using nickel grade anti seize on the ground shield when reinstalling new plugs...

 

Where from and do you have a picture of the tool?

 

Lineman,

I just got my SK Tools socket yesterday but have not yet received the plugs so it looks like I'll be doing it next weekend - unless the plugs come today (Saturday). If they come today I'll make it my Sunday project.

Plugs are made by both Motorcraft and Autolite. I suggest using the Motorcraft. They are very easy to find. I ordered mine from 1stFordParts.com. Got them for about $7.99 each - real Motorcraft.

I'll keep y'all posted. Might even take some pics of the process and host them on my web site so I can link them here.

CMOS

 

If the plug breaks off like in this picture the Ford tool you listed won't help.
It only works if only the ground shield is left in the head.
I'm pretty sure I've broken more of these then anybody else

 

Guys,

The TSB says to use a nickel based anti-sieze product on the ground electrode shield. Where can I get a nickel based anti-sieze?

Everything I find seems to be all copper based.

CMOS

 

Mine is made by "Bostik" NEVER-SEEZ Pure Nickel Special

Bostik Findley
211 Boston Street
Middleton, MA 01949-2128
ph; 888-603-8558

Don't remember where I got it .... I think someone handed it to me & said "Here .. you might need this some day" (that happens to me a lot)
~Glenn

 

Permatex has it, have you checked the local auto parts stores? Or do a search for "Nickel anti seize"
Are you going to follow my advice and only loosen them up 1/8th of a turn and let the penetrating oil sit for more then 30 minutes. I know if I was doing my own truck I would let it sit over night.
The TSB states 5-10 minutes because when it was written that was thought to be long enough, that and they want to save money by not paying the dealer tech to wait longer.

 

my truck has 99k and the plugs are finished, the dealer is going to change them because it's an 04 and they are know to break off because the hole is very small.the 06 have fixed this with a bigger hole.

 

Yes, I am going to let it sit for at least an hour or two after the fist 1/8 turn. If it would help, I'd pee on them.

CMOS

 

Has anyone broke the bottom part off and then got it out without removing the head?

 

If it's just the ground shield the Ford service tool gets it out every time.

 

ohboy44...from reading the TSB, I believe it states a concern of using too much penetrating oil and hydro-locking the engine. What are we talking about here, more than one can for all eight plugs?

 

Oh god no, I would say a 2-3 second blast in the hole would be enough. I believe it states to put enough to fill the hole up to the top of the nut part of the spark plug.
I also crank the engine over after removing the plugs to get the oil out of the cylinders.

 

What will cranking the engine over do to the coils ?

~Glenn

 

Fire them up!

This sounds a bit dangerous to me. At 50,000 volts+, those coild can arch a spark quite a ways. But - what if there is nothing within the dielectric range for the coils to discharge? Will this damage them?

CMOS