Blown Spark Plug
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Blown Spark Plug
To whom it may concern,
So my 2003 ford Exp blew a spark plug. I have read up on them and now realize its an epeidemic with th 4.6. My suv only had 85000 miles on it. So I am trying to pull the lft cylinder head to repair the spark plug threads. What is the easyest way to do this. I have it almost off but cant get it to lift totally off, I havent removed the timing chain cover. i Have removed the timing gear off of the cam. anyhelp would be appreciated.
jim
So my 2003 ford Exp blew a spark plug. I have read up on them and now realize its an epeidemic with th 4.6. My suv only had 85000 miles on it. So I am trying to pull the lft cylinder head to repair the spark plug threads. What is the easyest way to do this. I have it almost off but cant get it to lift totally off, I havent removed the timing chain cover. i Have removed the timing gear off of the cam. anyhelp would be appreciated.
jim
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It's too bad you didn't ask us first, because you didn't have to pull the head off and could've saved yourself a lot of work.
With the Timesert system, the entire repair is done in the vehicle.
++ Ford Spark plug Repair ++
With the Timesert system, the entire repair is done in the vehicle.
++ Ford Spark plug Repair ++
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If the head bolts have been removed and the head lifted, then I'd say you're stuck pulling it all the way off and replacing the head gasket. If however the head is still bolted down, then yes you can reassemble everything.
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Follow this link; https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...0&d=1305762763
for a less expensive tool.
for a less expensive tool.
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Not fixed
No I havent finished it yet, I am in the Marine Corps so I am gone alot just got back from an exercise. So here is my next question if I bought aftermarket heads for this would it keep this problem from happeneing again.?I love the expi its been good to us but I would hate to have to get rid of it. If it does this again I wll....
Jim
Jim
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The spark plug problem is usually caused by improper torque of the spark plug, Either too tight or too loose. Replacing the heads may not entirely eliminate the issue. Some people have installed Helicoils or Timeserts in all 8 cylinders to make certain that it does not happen again.
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You would need to find out how many threads are in the spark plug holes of the new heads. The original heads only have 3 threads which is why the plugs blow out. Updated heads have something like 5 or 6 threads. If you put on new heads that only have the 3 threads, then this can happen again.
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I was looking into a set of eddlebrock heads. Talking with the rep at jc Whitney they said that it wouldn't happen again with these heads! One of my friends has purchased these and he hasn't had any issues. What are yalls thoughts on this?
Jim
Jim
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A far less expensive option, especially since you are going to have the heads off now anyway, is to have a cylinder head or machine shop just put the inserts in all 8 holes. That's what I had done when I had my cylinder heads gone through because of a broken valve spring.
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I would expect the insert to come out with the sparkplug the next time the plugs are replaced. That is especially true for inserts held in with glue but compression locking inserts also have come out for me! Heli-coils always twist out of aluminum.
I have never had any luck repairing aluminum heads with stripped plug holes and that was with the heads on the work bench.
Even on high quality heads like Nissan KA24 and the GM 3100, still have repeat failures.
If you want a permanent repair replace the heads with ones with good threads and do not spare the anti-seeze when replacing plugs.
Persons on a budget can go to a self service junkyard and look for a head with good holes without any type of insert.
I have never had any luck repairing aluminum heads with stripped plug holes and that was with the heads on the work bench.
Even on high quality heads like Nissan KA24 and the GM 3100, still have repeat failures.
If you want a permanent repair replace the heads with ones with good threads and do not spare the anti-seeze when replacing plugs.
Persons on a budget can go to a self service junkyard and look for a head with good holes without any type of insert.
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I would expect the insert to come out with the sparkplug the next time the plugs are replaced. That is especially true for inserts held in with glue but compression locking inserts also have come out for me! Heli-coils always twist out of aluminum.
I have never had any luck repairing aluminum heads with stripped plug holes and that was with the heads on the work bench.
Even on high quality heads like Nissan KA24 and the GM 3100, still have repeat failures.
If you want a permanent repair replace the heads with ones with good threads and do not spare the anti-seeze when replacing plugs.
Persons on a budget can go to a self service junkyard and look for a head with good holes without any type of insert.
I have never had any luck repairing aluminum heads with stripped plug holes and that was with the heads on the work bench.
Even on high quality heads like Nissan KA24 and the GM 3100, still have repeat failures.
If you want a permanent repair replace the heads with ones with good threads and do not spare the anti-seeze when replacing plugs.
Persons on a budget can go to a self service junkyard and look for a head with good holes without any type of insert.
The link I posted earlier is for a Sav-A-Thread kit #5334-14 by HeliCoil that I used and it has worked fine for me. I have replaced many spark plug threads with HeliCoils in all makes of motorcycles in my shop and never had one come out. Following the manufacturer's instructions is the key to a successful spark plug thread repair. Anti Sieze is the key to fewer problems.
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It's too bad you didn't ask us first, because you didn't have to pull the head off and could've saved yourself a lot of work.
With the Timesert system, the entire repair is done in the vehicle.
++ Ford Spark plug Repair ++
With the Timesert system, the entire repair is done in the vehicle.
++ Ford Spark plug Repair ++
So my question is, if you do the timesert or helicoil without removing the head, how do you keep the shavings and crap from going into the engine?
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
I used a shop vac to clear the cylinder and have had no problems.
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