I am in the process of changing the plugs in my 07 FX4 5.4 Triton engine and was checking the threads in head. I have noticed some carbon build up where the electrode inserts into the head. I have thought about spraying some carb cleaner and getting all I can out but concerned about that stuff getting into the head. Any thoughts or should I just put plugs in and go?

 

There shouldn't be any issues with the carb cleaner if it leaks into the combustion chamber---its pretty much designed to burn during combustion anyway.

It would be wise to disconnect the injector for the affected cylinders, remove the fuel pump relay and crank the engine a few times to clear any of it out---plug out of course.

While many here disagree with using anti-seize its great to prevent carbon build up on the lower portion of the plug, between the threads and the electrode tip.

Use of the newer one-piece plugs is also highly advisable---seems to prevent or greatly reduce incidents having to remove broken plugs in the 3V engines.

HTH

 

Sounds good. Thanks!

 

Bearkiller- research this forum and u-tube about swapping plugs. There is a good chance one will break on you as you try to remove. Lot of advice and even an 11 page TSB on this out in the info world.

 

Good idea---here's a YouTube video that seems to have been helpful:

 

I successfullly changed all plugs without an incident but took my time. I am fortunate that I had another vehicle to drive while removing plugs.

Only plugs with significant amount of carbon was #3 & #4. All the advice I received was valuable but I went a step further and took a pistol cleaning rod w/ swab (make sure it's pistol rod with handle so not dropped in cyl) with carb cleaner and wiped out all of the heads where the plug entered the cylinder. I then took a piece of 1/4 poly flow tubing and duct taped it to my shop vac to insert into cylinders. I took the same tubing and blew any excess out of plug well. Sounds like a lot of trouble and was but best to do it right the first time.

An inexpensive boroscope helped so I could verify that all of the carbon was removed.

Thanks for all the advice!