Spark plugs
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
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From: Roman Forest, TX
I did mine at 105,000 miles. My truck still ran good, but with that mileage, I figured it was time. The truck did run smoother afterwards, and I might have gotten a slight bump in mileage, but nothing earth shattering. The guy I sold it to still pulls his 28' travel trailer with it all the time.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Change the plugs. I always change plugs every 50k miles. The PCV valve there is no said mileage. It is not an expensive part and is easy to change so it is up to you. Make sure to inspect all the PCV hoses and the elbow also, they can crack.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,449
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From: South Jersey
i installed auto light triple platinum plugs once at 51k and just a few weeks ago at 102k. I never had one problem with auto light and like said ^ they make the Ford plugs so.... and i usually do it with the engine warm and use silver high temp antseize and torque plugs to factory 15ftlbs.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
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Whats the deal with these engines heard plugs break ! Ford guy said the job is $850.00 no matter if 4 -5 -6 break.Some have broke on there own ! I guess ? spray them with what pb blaster and let them soak a while ! Whats the skinny on this problem ? THANKS 
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
Which engine do you have (year)? I had no problem with mine (2003 5.4L). Cost me about $45.00 for the plugs, and a PCV valve. Oh, and about an 8 pack of beer.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,449
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
the 99-04 had a few small issues with plugs coming loose and blowing out but only on the early 99-00, then in late 01 or 02 ford corrected this problem. In 2005 ford made the 3valve and of course another great idea to use a thee piece spark plug! the hex head that the socket goes on is pressed into the thread portion so when you try to remove the spark plug the hex comes out but the thread portion stays into the block. Compaines sell the remover tool which is around 70 or 80 bucks. If you have the 05 or newer gas motor id remove your OEM plugs asap and install the one piece Champion, youll never have another problem afterwards
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Extra thread length in the 2V heads was added to the 2V 5.4l and 6.8l somewhere around mid 2003 MY. My dad has an 03' V10 and I changed the plugs on it last weekend. His 03' has the lower thread count heads. My 04' 6.8l has the updated heads with the extra threads. Antelope V10 here on FTE had an 03' V10 as well which had the lower thread count heads.
The 05'-08' 3V engines had the possible plug breakage issues which is a design flaw in the plug design itself. A one piece plug cures any breakage issues. Ford changed the head and spark plug design again in the mid 08' MY and went back to a more traditional design. This new design took care of any breakage issues they had prior. The old style and new style 3V plugs are not interchangeable.
The 05'-08' 3V engines had the possible plug breakage issues which is a design flaw in the plug design itself. A one piece plug cures any breakage issues. Ford changed the head and spark plug design again in the mid 08' MY and went back to a more traditional design. This new design took care of any breakage issues they had prior. The old style and new style 3V plugs are not interchangeable.
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Mine is a 2004 f 250 ext. cab 5.4 v 8 gas 4 wheel dr. Sounds like I MAY have a little chance of there being a problem. I would imagine there would be a difference between gas and deisel ! I have 5.4 v 8 gas, any problems with this engine ? 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 9
From: Northern IL
the 99-04 had a few small issues with plugs coming loose and blowing out but only on the early 99-00, then in late 01 or 02 ford corrected this problem. In 2005 ford made the 3valve and of course another great idea to use a thee piece spark plug! the hex head that the socket goes on is pressed into the thread portion so when you try to remove the spark plug the hex comes out but the thread portion stays into the block. Compaines sell the remover tool which is around 70 or 80 bucks. If you have the 05 or newer gas motor id remove your OEM plugs asap and install the one piece Champion, youll never have another problem afterwards
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Remove the plugs slowly, don't force them and do the plug change on a cold engine. Put a dab of antiseize on the new plugs and install the plugs with a piece of hose or just the extension/socket to help prevent cross threading. I have a KD Tool magnetic socket set made especially for changing plugs and it was well worth the money.
Someone told me that you have to remove the valve cover and buy a new valve cover? This is on a 2005 Super Duty.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,858
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From: laporte in
You need the whole valve cover. I have a tech buddy at the local ford dealer that gave me the Info
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No problem. The 2004 SD had both the 5.4l and 6.8l 2V engines. The super duty did not get the 3V engines until 2005, the plug breakage issues began in 2005 for the SD gassers. The F-150 got the 3V engines first in the 2004 MY. The 2004 MY all have the extra thread length and the Motorcraft SP479 is the specified OE replacement plug.
Remove the plugs slowly, don't force them and do the plug change on a cold engine. Put a dab of antiseize on the new plugs and install the plugs with a piece of hose or just the extension/socket to help prevent cross threading. I have a KD Tool magnetic socket set made especially for changing plugs and it was well worth the money.
I have never found a part number for the PCV valve on the 3V valve and I looked on the Motorcraft diagrams. I also read a couple threads that stated the same and that the PCV valve is built into the valve cover so you need to buy the entire assembly.
Remove the plugs slowly, don't force them and do the plug change on a cold engine. Put a dab of antiseize on the new plugs and install the plugs with a piece of hose or just the extension/socket to help prevent cross threading. I have a KD Tool magnetic socket set made especially for changing plugs and it was well worth the money.
I have never found a part number for the PCV valve on the 3V valve and I looked on the Motorcraft diagrams. I also read a couple threads that stated the same and that the PCV valve is built into the valve cover so you need to buy the entire assembly.
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