hello everyone,

New to the this truck forum and first post as well. I need help to identify or maybe confirm a problem I have with my F150 5.4 liter truck. I had the spark plugs replaced about 1 year ago. since then I have had 2 plugs back out and come loose. I would smell a faint gas smell first that would tell me know that it was happening. the first plug was if memory is correct either number 8 0r 7 on bank 2. this time its number 2 on bank 1.
I hope that my mechanic just did not torque the plugs correctly and all I have to do is tighten them. If that's not it. Could the spark plug holes be stripped and have to be re-threaded? And if so how us that done? and how much could it cost?

thanks for any remarks would be appreciated...

 

Try to tighten them but be very careful to make sure they are started by hand to avoid cross threading. If they tighten up, fine. Somehow I suspect they won't. Did you buy the truck new or used?

 

purchased used 2011. I am thinking their are more than one loose now. I tighten number 2 on sunday. The miss went away but I can still smell fuel in the cabin. But just today I attempted hard acceleration and the check engine light came on. I will see what new code it generated. I believe your assumption maybe correct. if so what are my alternatives to repair?

Thanks

 

I don't know. I haven't paid much attention to this spark plug issue with certain V8s. But generally if a cleaning tap or HeliCoil insert won't fix a damaged spark plug hole, you're looking at removing the heads to rethread the holes unless there's a way to do it on the engine.

 

Hi and welcome to FTE

I don't own a 5.4, but I've read a great number of posts on this forum about spark plug issues. It started with the 3V 5.4. Plugs would occasionally pop out and sometimes rip the threads. Torque values to be used were very low.

The good news is that there are specially made inserts. I don't think that head removal is required, but I'm not sure.

Later 5.4s -- until 07 or 08 had a 'fix' that caused the plugs to be difficult to remove. There are a ton of posts about broken plugs and use of the Lisle tool to remove them.

Search the forum -- maybe the key word inserts could find some of them.

Or, some kind hearted member might have more detailed info. Also, post the year of your truck for more specific help.

Good Luck,

hj

 

Just had my plugs replaced. One stripped the thread in the head. M16x1.5 tap had to be used. PITA!

 

I will be enduring the nightmare soon, but from what I've read so far, it seems that they are stripped/cross threaded. Good luck!

 

When I replaced my original plugs with the latest factory spec SP515 plugs, they all felt really loose going in . I was able to spin them all the way in by hand very easily without a wrench. I haven't checked to see if any are loose since, but it was something i made a mental note when I put them in