Hello,

I have a 2004 expedition with a 2V 5.4L- does the spark issue of them breaking off that I have heard so much about apply to this engine? from what I have been able to tell, the defective sparks were on the 3 and 4 valve 5.4 L engines that year, not the 2V ones. Is this correct?

I have 113K miles and the spark plugs are due to be changed, I was just afraid to do it myself because of this issue. I have done spark plugs before, are they easy to do on this engine? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Matt

 

I have heard of no plug breakage on the 2 valve motor that plagues the 3 valve. With the correct tool and procedure the plug breakage is not that bad to deal with.

 

No. The two piece plug issue of breaking only applies to the 3v engines, starting in 2005.
The only issue is access to the plugs and stripping out the plug threads because they are aluminum.
Just be careful of torquing properly and use anti seize.

 

Thanks- that eases my mind.

But I have heard they are a nightmare to get to- are they really that bad? Also, is there an issue with them blowing out on the 5.4L 2V? I am almost tempted to leave them for now until I get a misfire.

Thanks

 

The front 4 cylinders (1, 2, 5, 6) are easy to get to and take about 15 minutes. The rear 4 cylinders are the fun ones. I had to pull the fuel rail to get to them on the driver side. Not that hard just a pain to access. From what I've read it's the 97-03's that have the issues with blowing plugs out of the heads. Then they added more threads to the plug hole in late 03 and 04.

 

It's not that bad, just be patient and prepared with the right tools. You need a few extensions and elbows (universal joints) and use electrical tape to keep them together. If you have access to 2" foam to lay on, that helps big time. Have some anti-seize for the plug threads and torque to spec, and dielectric grease for the COP boots and wire.

 

Buy a gearwrench swivel socket. Nice tool -you will be glad you did.

Gear Wrench 5/8" x 6" Magnetic Swivel Spark Plug Socket 80546: Upgrade with the best Socket - Spark Plug at Advance Auto Parts

 

Thanks!

I am going to just pull the exped in the garage and take my time- and get some extentions. I am going to replace the COPs while I am at so I don't have to worry about one of them going bad.

 

Good advice from John. I would only add to take a section of rope or twine and tie back the heater hoses, away from the top of the head. Also disconnect the vacuum lines and do the same.
If you are replacing the COP's, I would just do the back two cylinders as you really don't want to have to get back there again for a while if you don't have to. The others can be changed out pretty easily if/when they go bad.

I used duct tape on the extensions to keep them connected when digging for the plugs. You might blow out the holes for debris before removing the plugs if you have the air.

 

Do I really need to replace the COPs? how often do they go out? I figure I should at least replace the rubber boots, but do I need to replace all the COPs? I like the idea of just replacing the hard to get to ones, as they are not cheap. will they last?

Thanks

 

It's kind of a crap shoot with the COP's. I didn't replace mine when I replaced the plugs. I did replace 2 of the boots that looked questionable. You can buy a set off ebay pretty cheap- I think I paid around $60 for a set of 8. Looking back if I had the COP's before I changed the plugs I would have replaced the back 4. I leave a few extra ones in my truck just in case I'm on vacation and one of them goes I can throw it in real quick. I've had 2 of them go bad since I changed the plugs lol. Luckily they were the easier ones to get to.

 

I think you are correct in replacing the boots. I have had only 2 cops fail in this truck in 16 years and 160k miles. The one that failed was caused by the infamous heater hose leak. The other one that was replaced was because of a spit out spark plug.