5.4 spark plug blow out time!!!
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5.4 spark plug blow out time!!!
this is an 2002 expedition EB 5.4 2WD
Yesterday I had the infamous spark plug blow out occur at the most inconvenient time possible (carrying 6 passengers in a convoy of 15 people in 3 vehicles). I didn't know what the problem was till I got home, after paying 300 EURO for a flatbed ride back.
The #3 plug blew, but didnt damage the coil. The plug was still in the hole. It was pretty beat up. A few of the plug's threads were chewed the hell up, and everything was covered in aluminum dust.
I don't have an inspection mirror to get a good look at it, gonna pick one up at work in the morning, and check it out on lunch. Got a time-sert kit on the way, will hopefully be here before 2 weeks (shipping to APO box in Germany).
About 2 months ago, the truck started making a ticking noise, and I couldn't figure out what it was. Sounded almost like a leaky exhaust manifold. I looked it up on the interwebs, and didn't see any posts that linked the ticking noise to a future blown plug. Now I know though.
I tucked the heater core hoses up out of the way pretty good with zip ties, so I believe it shouldn't be too bad doing the repair, once the kit comes in.
Here's a couple pics of the blown plug.
Yesterday I had the infamous spark plug blow out occur at the most inconvenient time possible (carrying 6 passengers in a convoy of 15 people in 3 vehicles). I didn't know what the problem was till I got home, after paying 300 EURO for a flatbed ride back.
The #3 plug blew, but didnt damage the coil. The plug was still in the hole. It was pretty beat up. A few of the plug's threads were chewed the hell up, and everything was covered in aluminum dust.
I don't have an inspection mirror to get a good look at it, gonna pick one up at work in the morning, and check it out on lunch. Got a time-sert kit on the way, will hopefully be here before 2 weeks (shipping to APO box in Germany).
About 2 months ago, the truck started making a ticking noise, and I couldn't figure out what it was. Sounded almost like a leaky exhaust manifold. I looked it up on the interwebs, and didn't see any posts that linked the ticking noise to a future blown plug. Now I know though.
I tucked the heater core hoses up out of the way pretty good with zip ties, so I believe it shouldn't be too bad doing the repair, once the kit comes in.
Here's a couple pics of the blown plug.
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the ticking increased with rpms.....isnt noticeable unless your outside the truck, or have the windows down and next to a big object (like going thru a fast food drive-thru)
today, i was on one of these ford truck forums and found a thread about the ticking noise related to the spark plug blowout.....they were saying when the plug gets loose enough, it actually moves a little bit up and down with the compression stroke and combustion, and when it's that loose, the compression/exhaust leaks past the plug threads and causes the ticking noise.
When that happens, you'll notice the carbon buildup on the top half of the plug, and on the coil wire/spring and boot.
There was alot of that crap in mine, since it was ticking for about 5k miles before the plug blew.
And i do hear ya about the manifold stud problem. Mine actually experienced that on the drive side manifold. Had to repair that before I shipped it over here to germany. The very back stud under the #8 broke.
today, i was on one of these ford truck forums and found a thread about the ticking noise related to the spark plug blowout.....they were saying when the plug gets loose enough, it actually moves a little bit up and down with the compression stroke and combustion, and when it's that loose, the compression/exhaust leaks past the plug threads and causes the ticking noise.
When that happens, you'll notice the carbon buildup on the top half of the plug, and on the coil wire/spring and boot.
There was alot of that crap in mine, since it was ticking for about 5k miles before the plug blew.
And i do hear ya about the manifold stud problem. Mine actually experienced that on the drive side manifold. Had to repair that before I shipped it over here to germany. The very back stud under the #8 broke.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Good luck with the repair. I've done 2 of the plugs on my 99 navi (#3 and #4) with the timesert kit. It won't be too bad just take your time and all will be good.
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Good news, my ticking was indeed an exhaust leak. The nut rusted off by #1. The rest of the nuts were in pretty bad shape to. Replaced all the studs and nuts and installed my new headers. Can't wait to see if they help with my MPG.
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my time-sert kit finally came in, got started on it after work
just finished up the #3, and decided to pull all the plugs on that side while I had the area cleared out. #1 and #4 look great, almost new. But #2 looks as bad as #3 did, with a ton of carbon all over the porcelain and coil spring/boot.
So I'm gonna go ahead and put an insert in #2 to be on the safe side. Just waiting on my work light to recharge before I can get back on it
just finished up the #3, and decided to pull all the plugs on that side while I had the area cleared out. #1 and #4 look great, almost new. But #2 looks as bad as #3 did, with a ton of carbon all over the porcelain and coil spring/boot.
So I'm gonna go ahead and put an insert in #2 to be on the safe side. Just waiting on my work light to recharge before I can get back on it
More Turbo
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I had a 99 Expedition, 5.4L, XLT, RWD, full intake, headers and exhaust. About 2 years ago I noticed a ticking. Sounded like a bad valve. The ticking was pretty quiet but over a week it kept getting louder and more noticeable. I finally decided I was going to take it into the shop since it kept getting a little more noticeable each day. The night before I was going to take the truck in I was on a date and it blew out.
For me, from first hearing the tick to when it blew out was about 7 days. How long had you heard your tick?
For me, from first hearing the tick to when it blew out was about 7 days. How long had you heard your tick?
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i really can't remember when it started ticking.....i think it was in October (4 months ago)
I just buttoned the truck back together, and got her running again.......it's so nice NOT hearing the ticking noise anymore. I forgot what it even sounded like without the ticking noise.
At least next time I hear that noise, I'll know what's about to happen, and fix it before it blows the plug out.
I wonder if my mpg will improve any? I've been averaging 10-11 mpg when I only drive around on post (alot of idling)....up to 15mpg when I drive on the autobahn.
I just buttoned the truck back together, and got her running again.......it's so nice NOT hearing the ticking noise anymore. I forgot what it even sounded like without the ticking noise.
At least next time I hear that noise, I'll know what's about to happen, and fix it before it blows the plug out.
I wonder if my mpg will improve any? I've been averaging 10-11 mpg when I only drive around on post (alot of idling)....up to 15mpg when I drive on the autobahn.
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theres a million articles on the web about the "blow out " issue. It happens because Ford's engineering dept, for some god forsaken unknown reason, put only a few threads in the heads for the spark plug to thread into. With it being aluminum, it's not enough. Over time, they loosen up a bit, and start rattling when the combustion chamber gets compression....Eventually they just blow out and rip all the threads out with them.
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From: Wetumpka, Alabama
my time-sert kit finally came in, got started on it after work
just finished up the #3, and decided to pull all the plugs on that side while I had the area cleared out. #1 and #4 look great, almost new. But #2 looks as bad as #3 did, with a ton of carbon all over the porcelain and coil spring/boot.
So I'm gonna go ahead and put an insert in #2 to be on the safe side. Just waiting on my work light to recharge before I can get back on it
just finished up the #3, and decided to pull all the plugs on that side while I had the area cleared out. #1 and #4 look great, almost new. But #2 looks as bad as #3 did, with a ton of carbon all over the porcelain and coil spring/boot.
So I'm gonna go ahead and put an insert in #2 to be on the safe side. Just waiting on my work light to recharge before I can get back on it
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