04-06 Plug Warning
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 137
Likes: 11
I called my local Ford dealer to enquire about this today (SouthEast Michigan). I asked specifically if they had any issues with removing spark plugs from the new 5.4L engines. Reply, no, havent heard of any. I explained the issue a little further, we havent seen any TSB's for spark plugs (hummm). Then proceeded to ask "if I were to bring in my 04 F150 with 33K miles and requested (I would pay) plugs to be changed and you broke one off during the process, Ford would pay to remove, correct"? Answer, no that cost would be the burden of the vehicle owner. 
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 137
Likes: 11
I am sure they were feeding me a line. After I rebutted (this is unaccpetable with a vehicle with 33K miles, you break it you pay etc ) he did say "I hear you but we have to play by the rules". Hummmmmmmmmmmmm......
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Keedysville, MD
Ok I got it now !, THX for the reply CMOS, Spark plugs back in the old days were just part of a typical tune up that would happen whenever you felt you needed it, these days plugs go forever, (100k) which I hope is not that big a deal, Try changing a set of plugs on a small block with headers ! can be a reall pain in the azz, But yeah I just might do the plugs every 12 k just to be on the safe side but I really dont know until I see the first set come out, Sure wont try it until I get to those miles, Maybe by some stroke of god Ford will come thru and have a permenant solution to this, I'll keep loving my 06 Dark Shadow Grey W/Silver Accent 5.4 loaded XLT Screw CAb Until it really gives me a reason to be pissed at it...
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by great white
I called my local Ford dealer to enquire about this today (SouthEast Michigan). I asked specifically if they had any issues with removing spark plugs from the new 5.4L engines. Reply, no, havent heard of any. I explained the issue a little further, we havent seen any TSB's for spark plugs (hummm). Then proceeded to ask "if I were to bring in my 04 F150 with 33K miles and requested (I would pay) plugs to be changed and you broke one off during the process, Ford would pay to remove, correct"? Answer, no that cost would be the burden of the vehicle owner.
I don't like that some dealers are playing dumb about this TSB. I'm sure they've all at least heard about the problem by now. Maybe not seen it on a daily basis, but at least heard about it.
Originally Posted by CMOS
Pain in the *** I know but if that's the only issue with the 5.4 3V I'll still be happy with it.
BTW, I just got all the tools, etc. I need so I will be changing my plugs this weekend.
CMOS
It's more than an annoyance, it's a gamble, if a plug happens to break in the wrong spot when changing them I could be screwed. There are too many other quality engines out there to mess with this. For the price of an F-150 I'm very confident I can find a truck that only requires oil changes and plug changes every 100K (as designed) with no other probelms.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
It doesn't seem possible that ford will be able to have the customers pay for its and the dealer's mistakes. If the dealer breaks a plug, especially under warranty, but even after, they are responsible. Now it may take a number of customers to push this back on ford hard before they own up to it. I can't believe fords trying to get away with this in today's day and age. I guess they figure they have nothing to loose at this point. And was brought up in one of the posts, this plug design doesn't just affect the f150's, its also the same style of plug used in the 4.6 mustang and explorer.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by BlueZack
I am sorry to here about this, it makes Ford look very bad. Does this problem not exist with the 2007 engines? If not why?
thanks.
thanks.
Based on the Motrorcaft site http://www.motorcraft.com
there is actually a new part number for the plugs for 06-07
2004 - SP421 (among others)
2005 - SP421
2006 - SP462
2007 - SP462
I'm not that familiar with Ford's part numbers enough to know if these are actually all the exact same plug or do they differ ? (might have to look at them at an autoparts store if no one knows).
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia, TX
Originally Posted by ford9c
It doesn't seem possible that ford will be able to have the customers pay for its and the dealer's mistakes. If the dealer breaks a plug, especially under warranty, but even after, they are responsible. Now it may take a number of customers to push this back on ford hard before they own up to it. I can't believe fords trying to get away with this in today's day and age. I guess they figure they have nothing to loose at this point. And was brought up in one of the posts, this plug design doesn't just affect the f150's, its also the same style of plug used in the 4.6 mustang and explorer.
It's my understanding that this plug design is ONLY for the 5.4L 3-valve engine, which is exclusive to the F150/Exped's.
CMOS
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2
From: In my House
Hey Ricky, do you or does anyone know, if Ford stamps the part# on the plugs? I'm willing to take a plug out of my 06 (built 10/05) to see where the cutoff is for the part#'s, Hell, I only have 9k on it now, and I really like the truck , but the lease is up in another year and if this plug issue doesn't get solved, i may have to go diesel or something.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2
From: In my House
Now here is some good info I found about the plugs
http://cds.activant.com/C2C/C01/86/083/418264102.pdf
http://cds.activant.com/C2C/C01/86/083/418264102.pdf