5.4L Spit Plug Problem
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
5.4L Spit Plug Problem
I know this has been beat to death here, but search is disabled, so I'm asking my question...
I have a 2003 F250 with the 5.4, I have had no problems yet. I am curious if Ford ever made a change to stop this issue from happening, and if they did what year? Is there a way I could tell if I have an "updated" head design?
Thanks
I have a 2003 F250 with the 5.4, I have had no problems yet. I am curious if Ford ever made a change to stop this issue from happening, and if they did what year? Is there a way I could tell if I have an "updated" head design?
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 334
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From: new jersey
2003! you have the new heads with the longer treads. if you have a 3 valve motor you evenhave a newer style plug.
it is still some thing to be carefull of and a retorqueing of the plugs with a inch pound torque wrench will never hurt for being on the safe side . most of the modular motor people seem to feel a recheck every 20k never hurts.
ford makes NO formal statement any where about rechecking them. only changeing at 100k. so it is really a up to you thing if you do or don't.
if you have a 3 valve motor take note that they use a special plug socket to r and i them. the otc tool part number is 6900 if you want good tool with out paying prices of gold plated tools off the big trucks.
for some more information check out the v10 area the thread is about a blown out plug, today racerguy our super mod posted a tsb for changing plugs that is for the 5.4 but also pertains to the 4.6 and 6.8 .
good luck.
captchas
level10power phone tech.
it is still some thing to be carefull of and a retorqueing of the plugs with a inch pound torque wrench will never hurt for being on the safe side . most of the modular motor people seem to feel a recheck every 20k never hurts.
ford makes NO formal statement any where about rechecking them. only changeing at 100k. so it is really a up to you thing if you do or don't.
if you have a 3 valve motor take note that they use a special plug socket to r and i them. the otc tool part number is 6900 if you want good tool with out paying prices of gold plated tools off the big trucks.
for some more information check out the v10 area the thread is about a blown out plug, today racerguy our super mod posted a tsb for changing plugs that is for the 5.4 but also pertains to the 4.6 and 6.8 .
good luck.
captchas
level10power phone tech.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: new jersey
i don't remember when ford started with the 3 valve 5.4 .if he has a 3 valve you are correct that has the new plug. a thread over seat design that has a tsb out of it on changeing the spark plugs as those tend to seize in the head .
here is the post from the v10 area posted by our super moderator racerguy.
"And as an added bonus they also break off in the heads while trying to remove them
So far TSB 06-15-2 says it's just the 5.4L 3V that has the problem though.
Ford even came up with special tools to remove the broken plugs.
The TSB says the engine must be warm before trying to remove them. Loosen the plugs 1/8-1/4 turn and then spray penetrating oil into the hole and let it soak for 5-10 minutes before removing the plug completely."
still we have a ouch with spark plugs,
here is the post from the v10 area posted by our super moderator racerguy.
"And as an added bonus they also break off in the heads while trying to remove them
So far TSB 06-15-2 says it's just the 5.4L 3V that has the problem though.
Ford even came up with special tools to remove the broken plugs.
The TSB says the engine must be warm before trying to remove them. Loosen the plugs 1/8-1/4 turn and then spray penetrating oil into the hole and let it soak for 5-10 minutes before removing the plug completely."
still we have a ouch with spark plugs,
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 334
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From: new jersey
Originally Posted by beej1024
What is this 3 valve motor thingy?
captchas
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From: Louisville,Ky.
From what I have read, the change to the 2V heads was mid 2003 so it would have to have a build date around Feb or later. I have seen no solid documentation on this though.
The 3V heads came out in 2004 on 5.4L F150's and 2005 Mustangs 4.6L.
The 3V heads came out in 2004 on 5.4L F150's and 2005 Mustangs 4.6L.
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