sparkplugs motorcraft to bocsh back to mc

skidmarks82 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 01:01 PM

i changed out my plugs on my truck at 75,000 miles, sure they were factory ones. i tried the Bosch double prong plugs, and the first couple of times driving it, it was very nice, then started to become gutless. here at 105,000mi i changed back to the motor craft plugs and has been running pretty great since and today currently at 110,000. wish i never used the bosch spark plugs!FYI. p.s. this in my 2000 f150 5.4

steve(ill) · #2 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 10:00 PM

lot of guys will tell you the 5.4 prefers MC plugs. Kind of hard to believe its that picky, but seems to be true. Also note that Autolite are not "the same" as the MC plugs.

Bear River · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 08:52 PM

Autolites are the same as MC, just not all. Motorcraft is more a purchasing arm that a manufacturer. Autolite makes the Motorcraft plugs for the 5.4L. This does not mean that all Autolite plugs are the same, you have to buy the Autolite part that meets the OE specs, ie., double platinum with the required gap and heat range and reach. If you get even one of those criteria wrong, it will wear out prematurely and cause a loss of power, gas mileage, and can even cause misfires or worse.

JJ98 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 01:24 AM

hay did your bosch plugs have a brown tint to them on the out side mine did its as if they would blow by a little

skidmarks82 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 03:26 PM

yah a lil. now i kinda would lik to know what my dyno charts would come up as now. its running very noticeably better!

HST · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009, 10:04 AM

geeze, I still have my factory plugs in the 2001 w/ 115K...

steve(ill) · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009, 11:00 PM

i had a misfire on the original plugs about 120k miles and changed them out. book says every 100k.

BLK94F150 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear River

Autolites are the same as MC, just not all. Motorcraft is more a purchasing arm that a manufacturer. Autolite makes the Motorcraft plugs for the 5.4L. This does not mean that all Autolite plugs are the same, you have to buy the Autolite part that meets the OE specs, ie., double platinum with the required gap and heat range and reach. If you get even one of those criteria wrong, it will wear out prematurely and cause a loss of power, gas mileage, and can even cause misfires or worse.

I had the right Autolite plug and it physically broke in the cylinder. Both electrodes were gone as well as the ceramic insulator on the inside. I compared it with the MC plugs I bought to replace them and they are not the same. Somehow all that crap exited the cylinder w/o taking something else out with it. I can only guess that it's lodged in front of the right cat.

I don't know or care who makes MC, but they are not made on the same line as Autolites.

Mike

Octane · #9 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009, 11:30 AM

Stick with Motorcraft or Autolite. For whatever reason, these engines just dont run right with any other plugs.
About Autolites being the same as Motorcraft, they are not, BUT Autolites do meet OEM specifications and are exact replacements.
Ive used Autolites in my '99 F-150 for the past 80,000+ miles and they have been fine. I did have 1 sparkplugs eject on me, but I blame that on the cylinder heads, not the sparkplug.

96f150 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009, 08:04 PM

Funny thread.....I am going to be changeing my plugs in my 01 with 96k on it next week....I got the part# AGSF22WM(Thanks Steve(Ill)!!) and I went on Autozone.com website, and they crossref a nume AP103, which is an autolite plug....Now what to do? I REALLY don't feel like going to the dealership and going for broke for 8 plugs.
Thanks
Rich

LxMan1 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009, 10:26 PM

Changed mine in my old 01 5.4L @ 72K. They were worn, but not real bad. I used Motorcraft replacements as well. I wouldn't use Bosch platinum plugs in anything. I've already had to replace an engine due to the platinum tip coming out and wedging between the piston and cylinder wall in my dad's 89 5.0 F150. Gouged the cylinder wall so bad that it blew oil into the air cleaner from blow-by. It was a well maintained 109K mile engine.

The coil on plug (COP) design seems to run best on Motorcraft or Autolite double platinum plugs.

steve(ill) · #12 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 05:26 PM

i bought my MC plugs at Auto Zone, not the dealer.

96f150 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 07:05 PM

Thanks Steve...Autozone is where I will get them then...I think they were like $2.89...

Rich

bmacky14 · #14 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 10:36 AM

I have a 97 f150 4x4 with a 4.6 litre,the shop changed my plugs to the ngk lasted a year,now my truck is misfireing and lacking power.Pulled cyl.1 plug and it was thick white crusty build up on it.Does that mean not hot enough plug?

skidmarks82 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmacky14

I have a 97 f150 4x4 with a 4.6 litre,the shop changed my plugs to the ngk lasted a year,now my truck is misfireing and lacking power.Pulled cyl.1 plug and it was thick white crusty build up on it.Does that mean not hot enough plug?

first thing comes to my mind is antifreeze hope you dont have any problems with that