http://www.buybingo.com/graphics/4vanpicxx.jpg

 

I don't want to scare ya, But if you blow a plug and go to a ford dealer, they will probably say: "of course you blew a plug, look you have a 150,000 miles, We'll order you a new cylinder head for $3000.00"
They won't say anything about buying a new or rebuilt motor instead of doctoring your old engine.

Here is a link to new engines, just keep it in mind if you hear a loud pop under your hood.
http://shopping.netledger.com/app/site/site.nl?site=ACCT77735&mode=items&sc=2&category=20 05

 

Six threads in aluminum. Mine is a '99 and I haven't changed the plugs yet so I don't know what's going on here (bought it used). But from past experiences aluminum just can't handel the round trips that steel can. 4x4x4x4 said it, I just wanted to add a few thoughts. Six threads and aluminum heads are a recipe for disaster. If they aren't tightened enough or are tigthened too much they could blow out. I can't believe that they would not put steel inserts into these things out of the box! Aluminum threads are just bad all together, anything besides an exact fit will bring problems. Taking out the plug and having some carbon settle down in a thread will be enough to strip it out, cross threading, over tightening, not tight enough as said before. Sorry for the ramblimg but it's just unbelievable that a manufacturer would put something like that out on the market. It just won't last. Talk about planned obsolesence!
If all this is true this is [font color=red]DEFINATELY[/font] a design flaw! If they did change anything in the 2k model did they add steel inserts, if so they knew all about it. Are the problems isolated to only '99 models? Survey time! and maybe a note to Ford...
Just my thoughts.......

 

Ken;

Having just taken delivery of my new truck, I'm becoming quite alarmed at the number of plug blowout stories.

I'm still feeling my way around this incredible site, can a poll be set up to determine:
- Model year
- V8 or V10
- Covered by Warranty or not?

With some 53,000 users, perhaps the poll would arm our fellow Ford owners with considerable ammunition to use if required.

Thanks for your consideration.

Rick

'03 F350 XLT SD Supercab dually, V10, auto, 3.73LS

 

I just came back from my friendly auto parts store.
I was wondering if ford changed to a spark plug with more than 6 threads on it.
for the 5.4L v8 1998 to 2002 has the same plug (6 threads)

Their computer dosen't have 2003 in it yet.

I had read a few posts that said this problem is only in 1999 and 2000 , so I checked thinking that they changed plugs.

I think it's just to early to get failures from 2001 & 2002 .

 

See the V10 forum for both concerns.

1. The difference in plugs for years

2. The survey.

It's all down there.

 

Hey Guys, Glad to find ya. I have a 2000 F-250 SD. 53,000 miles,Triton v-10, spark plug up's and leaves the building. Same story, warranty expired, can't get ahold of a human that can actually participate in a good old fashion pissin' match, let alone represent Ford Motor Co. Bottom line is, $2,300 dollars later,I have a new cylinder head in my truck and I want Ford to pay for it. We all know that this is a manufactures defect. We also know that the big "F" is aware of said defect, so how does your average Jim get them to own up to this and rectify the situation? Do any of you have phone #'s or names of actual people in the Ford orginization that have the fortitude to at least address this issue? Don't get me wrong, I love my Super-Duty...But, wrong is wrong and it's obviously time for the big "F" to step up to the plate and make ammends! We'd all like to give Ford one more chance to be Ford Tough, but if they can't stand behind their Blue Oval fans, maybe we need to start looking for Ford owners that have been to law school. jyates

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Jan-03 AT 04:51 AM (EST)]ford "is" fixing this 6 thread spark plug design screw up , but it's disgusing it as a new head design with 2 intake valves. That way they won't have to pay out to the 97 to 2003 customers who have had their plugs blow out.

This is for the 2004 f-series, but I am sure it will be extended to other models. The "deep reach" mentioned usually means "more thread" .

here is a excerpt of the important stuff:

New technology

An innovative spark plug allowed Ford to boost Triton's power without making the engine larger. The plug's 10-millimeter diameter is smaller than a regular spark plug. And the electrode extends about 2 inches past the threaded area. That allows bigger engine valves, which in turn increases power.

Other technological features include:



Variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves.


An induction system with electrically controlled butterfly valves at the ends of the intake runners. The valves speed the flow of air and

fuel into the engine, causing a tumble effect that improves combustion and boosts torque at low engine speeds.


Unique deep-reach spark plugs with special tips that do not intrude into the combustion chamber.


A more rigid cast-iron block. Additional ribs make the engine block more rigid, reducing vibration. The powertrain's aluminum heads, composite oil pan and magnesium valve covers also reduce weight and muffle noise.


you can read the whole story here:
http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=41514



P.S. Hey FoMoCo how many people called and asked you to design a engine with more intake valves and more power?
I own a 1998 e350 with a 5.4L and one thing I don't need is more power!
But I would like to have a dependable motor that won't spit out a spark plug at any moment!
thanks for standing behind your product .... THANKS FOR NOTHING !!

 

>ford "is" fixing this 6 thread spark plug design screw up ,
>but it's disgusing it as a new head design with 2 intake
>valves. That way they won't have to pay out to the 97 to
>2003 customers who have had their plugs blow out.
>
>This is for the 2004 f-series, but I am sure it will be
>extended to other models. The "deep reach" mentioned usually
>means "more thread" .
>
>here is a excerpt of the important stuff:
>
>New technology
>
>An innovative spark plug allowed Ford to boost Triton's
>power without making the engine larger. The plug's
>10-millimeter diameter is smaller than a regular spark plug.
>And the electrode extends about 2 inches past the threaded
>area. That allows bigger engine valves, which in turn
>increases power.
>
>Other technological features include:
>
>
>
>Variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves.
>
>
>An induction system with electrically controlled butterfly
>valves at the ends of the intake runners. The valves speed
>the flow of air and
>
>fuel into the engine, causing a tumble effect that improves
>combustion and boosts torque at low engine speeds.
>
>
>Unique deep-reach spark plugs with special tips that do not
>intrude into the combustion chamber.
>
>
>A more rigid cast-iron block. Additional ribs make the
>engine block more rigid, reducing vibration. The
>powertrain's aluminum heads, composite oil pan and magnesium
>valve covers also reduce weight and muffle noise.
>
>
>you can read the whole story here:
>http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=41514
>
>
>
>P.S. Hey FoMoCo how many people called and asked you to
>design a engine with more intake valves and more power?
>I own a 1998 e350 with a 5.4L and one thing I don't need is
>more power!
> But I would like to have a dependable motor that won't spit
>out a spark plug at any moment!
>thanks for standing behind your product .... THANKS FOR
>NOTHING !!

 

Hey! do any of you guys know any way to get Ford Motor Company to pay for rebuilt heads due to a manufactures defect, or are we just comparinng sob stories? Is anybody up for a group lawsuit? Ford owes me money, and I want it! $2,300 could by my kids alot of milk! Please write with any info as to how a guy can fight the system enough to get the big "F" to rectify a bad situation. I'm glad Ford is trying to fix the problem in the 2004's, but if my 2000 F-250 craters your 2004 on a back road in Helena Montana because I just wasn't paying attention at the time... are you willing to eat the repair bill? Somebody step up and make this website worth sticking with! jyates Helena Mt.

 

 

I have a 2001 F-250 w/5.4 with 80K and ad the third one back on the right side(passenger) blow out. Its said that I had to find out the hard way that it is common. Going to contact Ford and raise heII. Still not counting on any help from them.

Has anyone had any luck with them handling the repair.

 

I just changed plugs on my 99 f250 v10. I discovered it had a plug on the passenger side that had been helicoiled. I hope this wont happen any more. I put in the new longer threaded plugs. I bought it used with 63000 miles on it. No wonder they traded it off. I am also looking for ford to own up to there mistake.

 

Mine popped out at 141K after dealer installed @ 137K. Independant mech. told me they must have put them in a "hot" (temp) engine. Said they have to be COLD and torqued. This mechanic has done over 50 (from Comcast cable ). He reinstalled and now I have 173K on engine and all OK.

 

Mine was heli arched at JD Auto in Rockaway NJ @ $400 and he is good Done over 50 of them