which engines have sparkplug thread problems

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Oct 3, 2011 | 08:54 PM

musstag

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which engines have sparkplug thread problems

I am looking for a used F150 btw yrs 2004 and 2008. Which yrs and which engines have the possible spark plug thread problems? what about trannys, how are they (auto)? I guess I need to b careful of flood vechiles also.

Oct 4, 2011 | 06:33 AM

MCDavis

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From: RVA

As far as the plug issues, all 3v motors are prone to the issue. So that's All 04, 05, 06, and some early 07s before the heads were changed slightly.

Transmissions are hit and miss, mostly for the good though. A decent test drive should alert you to trans issues.

Oct 4, 2011 | 12:49 PM

Coskid

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From: Henrico, VA

Any truck you are looking at you should get a carfax report which would tell you whether or not its a flood vehicle. For the most part these are solid trucks with a few problems but what doesn't.

To break it down even more then what Chandler did the 5.4 from 04-early 07 is the engine with the plug issue. But don't let that scare you off as many will tell you the problem is not as big as what people have made it out to be. Have the lisle tool and they come right out if you break one. The other engines that you could get in these trucks are a 4.6 v8 (nice engine depending on needs my be underpowered) and the 4.2 v6 (underpowered or these trucks in my opinion).

Oct 4, 2011 | 05:45 PM

musstag

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OK! Thanks to you both. Yes that tool is a good deal, I've read about it. I think a 4.8 is about what I need. Towing a boat or 24 ft camper.

Oct 4, 2011 | 07:16 PM

Feedguy

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From: North Dakota

My experience

Having owned a 2004 for a short time, about three months, watch out for this year. I spent 500 $ on a plug change, dealer did it, said they all broke off. 5.4 with 74000 miles. Otherwise nice rig, prefer to drive it over anything else I own.
Did cam phasers also, watch for them. 1200 bucks. Good luck!!

Oct 5, 2011 | 07:51 AM

FSeriesGuy04

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the 1997 - 2003 had issues blowing spark plugs out of the head due to lack of threads in the head itself && the 04 - 08 have the issue where the plug seizes inside the head. I've seen the 9th generation trucks with 280k miles without a problem (routine maintenance). I wouldn't shy away because the plugs break off on removal.