I am getting a cyclider 5 misfire and this has been a "on again off again" situation since last August. I took it around to a few places and the general solution was to get new spark plugs. After doing a bit more research I was advised to change the coil cover. I did that and it fixed the problem. Then about 4 months later the light came on again. I happened to change the air filter and the light went off. I though great, problem solved! not so much, when i went to the mountains the other day the light came back on. I did my research again and I have decided to get the plugs changed. Its a 2005 f150 with 94,500 miles on it.

I am told its time to change them regardless. I started calling around and getting quotes and have been told by multiple shops that ford made the plugs in my truck in a bad way. They have been telling me its a pain in the a** to change them and breaking them is a 50/50 shot. THEN, when they quote me they charge a rate to replace them plus the plugs themself. If they happen to break one then the customer pays for the new one. The price quotes i am getting are $400-$1000 or more depending on if more plugs need to be bought. At this rate I would want to take it to the dealer because I feel like they are better at this job and do more on a day to day basis. however, Ford is quoting me at $700+. do you think I should try to go to a shop for $400 with a little less experience or straight to the dealer for $700. Do these prices seem average to anyone else out there or am I getting ripped off? Does anyone know if the plugs would really break that easy and should I plan on replacing some of them? any adivce or guidance is helpful. Thanks

 

The plugs tend to start going somewhere between 80k and 100k. It all depends on the driving you do and how you treat the truck as to when you will start to see the misfires pop up.

Yes, the plugs are a pain but not undoable (I know not a real word). Anyway get yourself a lisle tool and the motorcraft plugs and set aside a day to do it. I would also recommend some sort of upper cylinder lubricant leading up to the change and a can of sea foam the gas tank before to help loosen the carbon build up. Then just spray some PB Blaster the night before and let it soak in and again in the morning. After the second spray turn each plug a small amount and let it soak a bit longer. Then proceed with removing the plugs. If they break use the lisle tool to get the rest out. After that when putting in new plugs use a small amount of anti seize to help make sure it doesn't happen again.

 

Coskid, do you happen to know the Lisle tool p/n? Thanks.

 

this is it here..
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-LIS65600.../dp/B00267PZUK

the plugs are not a standard size either. I think they sell a special socket with an extension welded on it to help with removal too.

 

Awesome, thanks. Just placed my order for all three items. (Tool, socket and anti-seize) How convenient.

 

are you planning to do it soon? if so, let me know how it goes since I am getting ready to do mine. please and thanks

 

Run a search on here and you will find countless threads talking about the success and fails of many people when doing these plugs. Some have found it help to use an impact wrench to help get them going. Others have used several cans of sea foam ahead of time to break up the carbon to make it easier.

 

This is a great link but i think you can get the lisle tool from Napa and Advance Auto stores too but I believe they are more expensive then the link just in case we have people who don't want to wait.

 

I'm not in a big hurry. I'll do it in a couple of weeks and will post my success or failure. I'll do the Seafoam treatment first.

 

Yeah this is something I need to do soon too but it will most likely wait until sometime in May.

 

there is a specail socket to change plugs on these? is this on the 4.2 as well or jst the v8's?

 

Just the 5.4

 

ok good to know, does the 4.2 have issues with the plugs breaking off in the heads as well?

 

Make sure you torque the plugs properly. If you do not you will end up with a fuel smell in the cab. I just dealt with this issue on my 2005.

 

Have torque wrenches, will torque to spec. Ummm... What's the spec?