As some of you know, I have already had the spark plugs changed on my 2005 Expedition with the 5.4L 3V that is imfamous for them sticking in the head. The dealer did the change and told me they have put high temperature antisieze on the replacements.

The replacement was done at around 65,000 miles, and I know have 93,000 on it, I am thinking about changing them again, to avoid the $2,000 bill it cost me the first time.

Does anyone know how easy the second replacement is? I know the plugs are 100,000 mile plugs, but I want to avoid them locking in again. Maybe I can get by with pulling the plugs, and refresshing the anti sieze. Any thoughts?

 

Here's your answer:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8337067

Also look at this:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8219650

Additional Info:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ose-plugs.html

If you search "spark plug" in the '2004 - 2008 F-150' forum you will find a lot of answers to your questions.

So far it looks that maybe leaving the plugs in the head longer will run the chance of them becoming weaker but others say leave them in till they are due. My advice would be to follow the advice of the three posts above and take your time.

 

I think your wasting your money

 

Thanks '97ExpGuy. Interesting reading.

I already went through the pain of the initial change. I broke the first two I tried (using the TSB wethod), then took it to the dealer, where he broke 5 of the remaining 6. 7 of 8 would not come out cleanly. They pulled the body off the chasis to remove them, hence the $2,000 bill . . .

I am wondering if anyone knows if the anti-sieze works to keep them from siezing? With 30k+ on this set, I want to make sure it really fixed the issue.

 

That's the job of anti-sieze. The unknown vaiable is if they really used it or not. BTW, why are you changing plugs at all? You're not supposed to change them until 100K miles and here you're ready to install a second set in less than 100K.

 

I have yet to see a body come off to take plugs out

 

alloro, good question. I read about the issue on the forum, and thought I would head it off at the pass by trying to change them at 60k miles. I broke the first one, then the second, and the rest is history. Having lived through that experience I don't want it to happen again.

fordtech08, I know it seems odd. The tech told me the tool he has would not fit under the cowl section, and it was easier to remove the body than the heads. Not sure. He did give me the plugs back and they were a mess. It sounds like the new removal tool is a better design.

Maybe I will try to pull the first one or two, and if they come out smoothly, I will leave well enough alone.

 

You do realize that it's the other 6 or 7 that will end up being the problem down the road.

 

unless crap plugs went into the truck the second time around are crap I wouldn't worry about it.