I had a spark plug blow out of the head on my F250.
Just curious as to how many others have had the same problem.

I am fighting with Ford for warranty as my truck has 62000 km on it. ( approx 40000 miles)

Looking for a bit of ammo for my arguement for warranty.
My shop says that they have changed about 4 or 5 heads due to the same problem. My problem is I'm 300 miles from a dealer and can't get the truck to them.

I believe the problem is a result of a manufacturing problem as the plugs have never been out of this truck.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 17-Aug-02 AT 01:02 PM (EST)]We have a truck at the Ford shop for just the same thing a blown out plug. It was just out of warrinty so we will have to pay a third of the bill.

Dave Powell:

 

Where abouts are you and what Ford Dealer... This may be usefull for me to get at least a similar credit.

Hopefully I will do better and that will help you too.

 

there is a post in the "Super Duty & Heavy Duty" message board started by twobeer about this problem. You apparently are not the only one.

 

Hey Airman, wow its been a long time since i used those words. I checked on this, and was told the truck was sent to a University Ford in Durham NC. They are putting a new head on the truck.

Dave Powell

 

Thanks for the Info...

It looks like Ford is going to come good ... Learn't another thing about this today. They try and fight this issue with the maintenance schedule... at 50000 km they reccommend the plugs be pulled, cleaned and put back in... this then lets them off the hook as well as they can now blame the shop or individual for not re-torquing the plugs correctly...

Can't win...They have an answer for everything

 

 

This is an EXTREMELY old forum, but yeah this is a problem with the Triton engines.I think it's the only major problem with Ford Triton engines. I say, just to be on the safe side, that every Ford Triton V8 and V10 owner should get your spark plugs changed at around 60,000 miles. That way, you can avoid the costly price if your heads get damaged when they do go....

 

Plug change duration won't effect it as much as properly torquing. I had mine done every 60-70K and just spit my second plug spit. Even with proper torque and a good change interval I believe they still spit.

 

I have seen others have the issue with their plugs blowing out and it seems to be because of a few variables. as mentioned above in a post, proper torgue plays a big role. I have never seen a blow out with a Motorcraft plug for the tamper angle is 100% correct and some of the so called batter plugs are alittle off. Also on these ford modular engines (4.6 5.4) when changing the plugs, alot of people dont use some compressed air to blow out any material/dirt that can be down in the plug area, this resulting in the chance for particals preventing proper tightening.

 

If you aren't under warranty and have to pay for the repair, you also have the option to put steel inserts into the head. You run a tap into the head so that the insert will fit. You put the insert in and then put your plug in the insert. Just an FYI...if you go this route make sure to first get a hose that will fit down the hole in the head to suck out all the shavings, then be sure to start the truck with the plug out. This will remove ALL of the debris. This will cost significantly less than removing the head. Best of luck! Many of us have been through this already. I have 124,000 miles and have blown 2 out of 8 out of my 5.4 Triton.