Has anyone changed there sparkplugs on and 04-05 5.4 at 100000+ without breaking them?
Thanks

 

That is some high mileage, 33-50k/year. I would never trust a plug to last that long, I pulled my motorcrafts in 2002 at 63k and they had atleast 0.060 gap and a bad miss.

As far as breaking them, something doesn't sound right. I have broken quite a few insulators while removing plugs, but I wasn't being careful because they were already going to the dump.

 

im thinking hes talkin about the 3v motor there reax.but id have to say that you shouldnt fix what isnt broken. i wont be changing my plugs until either one cylinder starts missing or 100k..whichever comes first.! hope this is helpful.

 

With that logic you shouldn't change your oil until the engine blows up. I think it is foolish to not change plugs until 100K, 60K is a good mileage. Maintenance is the first step in keeping the engine running efficiently and for a long time.

 

The 3v is the motor in question and I have 99000 on it now but I was wondering if anyone had changed them at 100000 with any luck.

 

well now i wouldnt go that far into it guy. thats regular maintance. i wont change my plugs until it starts missing. just my humble opinion!

 

FYI: I called 6 different Ford Service Departments around the state of Georgia today. ALL state there have been issues with getting the plugs out. Not some, ALL. Some say wait until 100k while others said change them earlier, say 50-60k. Either way, they all say Ford doesn't own up to the problem. A TSB and "special tool" is out there but most I talked to today say it's 50/50. It's a toss-up no doubt. Even if changed early and break requiring head removal at low mileage, all the service departments said it's out of my pocket to fix. I even emailed Ford about it but of course we know how that ended: cut/paste reply off subject/avoiding the issue. Problem we face right now is we have to wait and see(not enough trucks at 100k) what actually becomes of this issue. We can bury our heads in the sand and wait until 100k and pray there really isn't an issue or some magic tool/process is developed that is a solution OR we change them early and risk breakage at any mileage. Even if they come out at 30k doesn't promise they will at 60k. Logic tells me as the engine head ages and carbon builds in areas around where the plugs are, frequent removal and cleaning of the plugs may not be enough to prevent sticking due to the very limited space b/n lower plug shield and the engine head. Maybe I'm getting psychotic. One thing for sure, I'm very pissed at Ford for such a design. Need a warranty for 150k that covers the engine heads, etc..

 

I have a friend with a independant shop, and he has mentioned the same thing, spark plugs like to stick in these engines. Not sure if it is a lack of maint issue or how the plugs were installed by Ford, he just notes that he sees this as a problem in the field, more often than not.

Not sure if there are and updated spark plug installation TSB's or not, but it would be worth a check I would imagine. Things do change and get updated from time to time, nothing is perfect.

As far as 100k on a set of plugs, with the proper matierials, and depending upon how the engine is operated, I see that as a very attainable possibility. One thing to think about on extended spark plug life though is the gap, while modern HEI ignition systems can produce a spark strong enough to jump a larger than normal gap, it is very hard on the dialectric strength of the parts, as in normal service your 40 to 50k igntion system will only have to produce around 8 to 12k on a normal plug gap, and wil only produce the higher levels when needed, such as in the case of a larger than normal spark plug gap. The system while capable of, is really not designed to run at this level of output all the time.

Just some food for thought

David

 

Took my '05' in to get the plugs changed back in November at 100,000. Ford was worried about that problem, but got lucky came out with no problems.

I don't believe I would wait 4-5 yrs for the plugs if you don't put alot of miles on your truck.But than again alot of folks need new all the time and get rid of the trucks before the time to change plugs.

 

I pulled my #5 and #6 plugs and they were well worn. However they are not causing any problems at 130k. I got the van with 80k on it and I'd guess they've never been replaced. I put new ones in those 2 holes and will get to the others eventually, I hope.

 

Wouldn't anti-sieze help avoid this problem?