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Has anyone successfully used the Time-Serv spark plug thread insert repair kit on a Triton V10 E350 van(passenger shuttle and mobility van)? I'm wondering whether the head needs to pulled or if the body needs to be raised off the frame. It is cylinder number 6 or 7(rear passenger side). Looks to be a lot tougher to get to on a van than a truck. It looks like it may be possible but I'm not sure. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Cylinder 6 is the front cylinder on the driver's side.
I have the Time Sert kit and have used it on my F250 V10 but not on a van. It requires no more clearance than changing spark plugs.
If it is one of the rear cylinders, they are quite easy to reach on a van.
Thanks for the info. It's one of the rear on the passenger side. I'm thinking of purchasing this van and this is the only major issue. From what I have researched so far it could be $200 to fix or $2000 and up if the head needs to be removed. I want to make sure I can have it done for close to $200 before I buy it.
The rear plugs will be much easier to reach on a van than the front.
A new Time Sert kit is $450 or so with shipping. I got mine for half price on ebay. If you are going to do it yourself, do yourself a favor and buy a boroscope so you can actually see inside the hole.
Aside from the thread repair, you will want to replace all the rest of the spark plugs as well and torque them tighter to about 30 lbs ft. And when a plug ejects it usually tears the boot and breaks off the coil retaining tab. So plan on 10 spark plugs, 10 boot kits, and at least 1 coil but a new coil includes a boot.
An ejected spark plug shouldn't be a deal breaker if the rest of the vehicle is what you want.
This pic is #2 coil boot on a 2001 E350 5.4 van looking at it from the front. The plug ejected and left the boot sticking straight up. On this one there was quite a bit more room to work than on my F250. It gets really tight under the cowl on a truck, all the vans I have worked on have been much easier to change back plugs.
