Spark Plug Woes
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New User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1
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From: Dothan USA
Spark Plug Woes
I have a 2000 F-150 (5.4) with 70,000 miles that I use daily for work. I decided to replace the (factory) spark plugs before the recommended 100,000 mile changeout. When I got to the very last one, it broke off even with the cylinder head. Upon inspection, it was obvious that the spark plug had rusted almost completely through. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions for preventing this in the future? Thanks.....AJ
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
Spark Plug Woes
That is not a common problem. What usually causes difficulty is the inablity to remove the last plug due to clearance problems.
Sometimes, you have to hold your teeth just right for things to work.
Sometimes, you have to hold your teeth just right for things to work.
New User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 19
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From: Grantsville USA
Spark Plug Woes
Change your plugs at 30,000 miles because if you wait till 100,000 to change them they will break off and strip out.
You have to be a complete *retard* to wait till 100,000 miles
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You have to be a complete *retard* to wait till 100,000 miles
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 63
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From: Georgia
Spark Plug Woes
Read the Service Manual before calling anyone a retard. The OEM plugs are designed to last that long, which is why the specified replacement interval is 100,000 miles. You can replace yours every 30,000 if you want to.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 383
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From: southeast,usa
Spark Plug Woes
Little red whatever. You will notice as you read the various posts on this web site that there isn't much in the way of name-calling. Most everyone just tries to be helpful in a friendly sort of way. OK? AJ2U, several of the guys have mentioned using an anti-seize compound when installing new plugs. Sounds like a good idea to me. Good luck
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 63
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From: Georgia
Spark Plug Woes
Just replaced my plugs and wires today. It was an all-day job and I'm glad it's over with. I thought the #4 was hard until I tried to get to the #8. Man, what a pain. Jacking up the front end will not help on this one.
4.6L V8 owners make a note* - if you decide to use the Autolite double platinum, get the APP104. Your local parts store will tell you to use the 764, but they have old information. This goes for both Windsor and Romeo engines. See separate post on the details of that story.
One recommendation I can make is to use plenty of silicon dielectric grease in the rubber boots. This will help create an air tight seal around the wire ends. A little around the outside of the spark plug end boot should keep any water from getting down in it.
4.6L V8 owners make a note* - if you decide to use the Autolite double platinum, get the APP104. Your local parts store will tell you to use the 764, but they have old information. This goes for both Windsor and Romeo engines. See separate post on the details of that story.
One recommendation I can make is to use plenty of silicon dielectric grease in the rubber boots. This will help create an air tight seal around the wire ends. A little around the outside of the spark plug end boot should keep any water from getting down in it.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 85
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Spark Plug Woes
Jeeze, with the pain of replacing these sparkplugs on the 4.6l, I think i'd rather let a pro do it.
... they break it, they get to fix it. heh.
You'll probably have to take the truck in to ford and see if they can't correct it, but it sounds like it could get costly.
... they break it, they get to fix it. heh.
You'll probably have to take the truck in to ford and see if they can't correct it, but it sounds like it could get costly.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 63
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From: Georgia
Spark Plug Woes
The FORD DEALER? From my experience with Ford dealers in Atlanta, they break it, they fix it, but you still pay for it.
If anything is still not right afterwards, you need Perry Mason to convince them that it wasn't that way BEFORE you brought it in.
This "post-visit telephone survey to improve customer service" is a joke. I gave them an earful of what they did to me last time (I'll spare you the details here) and they said someone from the dealership would call me. Yeah, right. That was a month ago.
I hate to sound bitter, but I've been raped by the Northpoint Ford dealer for the last time. I bought the tools, I bought a manual, now I'm going to do everything I possibly can do myself.
If something happens that I can't fix myself, I'll look for help anywhere EXCEPT a Ford dealer.
If anything is still not right afterwards, you need Perry Mason to convince them that it wasn't that way BEFORE you brought it in.
This "post-visit telephone survey to improve customer service" is a joke. I gave them an earful of what they did to me last time (I'll spare you the details here) and they said someone from the dealership would call me. Yeah, right. That was a month ago.
I hate to sound bitter, but I've been raped by the Northpoint Ford dealer for the last time. I bought the tools, I bought a manual, now I'm going to do everything I possibly can do myself.
If something happens that I can't fix myself, I'll look for help anywhere EXCEPT a Ford dealer.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Flower Mound USA
Spark Plug Woes
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Sep-02 AT 01:35 PM (EST)]I have 1999 Ford F150 5.4 and I am not realy mechanically clined I must say up front. I want to change the plugs but when I took a look at where they were I couldn't even see how to get to them. Is there a cover over them? Any help for this newbie would be greatly appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 154
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Spark Plug Woes
From an older thread:
"There must be a trade secret in changing the spark plugs"
Hi -
I'll tell you what the trade secret is. The trade secret is the
$%#$@'s don't really change all the spark plugs at the Ford dealership, that's what the secret is.
Those damn plugs are so poorly designed, so hard to get at the ones in the back, that it gives a lot of incentive to the mechanic to fake it.
That's what happened to me at the Ford dealer. My truck ('97 F150 5.4)was running fine and I brought it in for the 100K spark plug change. OK, may I have my old plugs back, said I. Oh, uh, we got them, uh, OK...But there were only seven. Where is #8? Oh, uh, it fell down the drain...
Anyhow, to make a long story short, I finally got them to admit that they did not change all eight plugs. Oh, terribly sorry, sir, we fired the mechanic who worked on your truck...
In the future, I guess they'll keep a box with spare plugs around so that they can have eight old plugs to give customers who request the old ones.
By the way, the plugs did need changing. They were quite worn.
werewolf
"There must be a trade secret in changing the spark plugs"
Hi -
I'll tell you what the trade secret is. The trade secret is the
$%#$@'s don't really change all the spark plugs at the Ford dealership, that's what the secret is.
Those damn plugs are so poorly designed, so hard to get at the ones in the back, that it gives a lot of incentive to the mechanic to fake it.
That's what happened to me at the Ford dealer. My truck ('97 F150 5.4)was running fine and I brought it in for the 100K spark plug change. OK, may I have my old plugs back, said I. Oh, uh, we got them, uh, OK...But there were only seven. Where is #8? Oh, uh, it fell down the drain...
Anyhow, to make a long story short, I finally got them to admit that they did not change all eight plugs. Oh, terribly sorry, sir, we fired the mechanic who worked on your truck...
In the future, I guess they'll keep a box with spare plugs around so that they can have eight old plugs to give customers who request the old ones.
By the way, the plugs did need changing. They were quite worn.
werewolf
New User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
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From: Mooresville
Spark Plug Woes
What really bothers me is that everyone, and I mean everyone tells you to use dialectric grease when you replace the plugs. It sure would have been nice if the manufactures did the same thing, especially when you're talking 100,000 mile changes. Have these engineers ever worked on what they design? It just isn't fair!! 
New User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10
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Spark Plug Woes
Mine rusted out at 50,000 but because of water setting on top of the engine. I discovered that my hood seal had been out of wack, letting rain come down the windshield onto the engine. The good part from reading your responses is that I have an E150 van,and I can get to the rear plugs through the dog house. I wish I had read this forum before figuring out the spark plug system by trial and error.
New User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 20
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Spark Plug Woes
I recall seeing some other posts about this very problem. Apparently the rear plugs will start rusting and may break, especially if you wait the recommended 100,000 miles before having them changed. It sounds as if the rear plugs are so difficult, I will let the dealer have at it. Shame on them if they fake it.
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7
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From: Richmond US of A
Spark Plug Woes
I changed out #8 plug and boot on my 97 F-150 4X4 5.4L, it ran good for about a day or so the #4 went bad. The thing is I can't get a plug socket on #4. Are there two different plug sizes in Fords? The 5/8 socket goes in the hole fine but wont grab the plug. Anyboby heard of this?
F-150 Spark Plugs one of Ford's better idea's
Jimmy
F-150 Spark Plugs one of Ford's better idea's
Jimmy