"new" plug bad in 2 weeks?
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New User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Central WI
"new" plug bad in 2 weeks?
There are a few twists to this post, but the key issue is what should be a new plug that is only 2 weeks old just cost $150 to replace.
Now for the finer details.<O
</O
Just purchased a 2004 F150 Supercab Lariat from a relative more than a few hours away with 85,000 miles. This relative takes immaculate care of their vehicles and has many vehicles with their business that go 200,000 plus, so the 85,000 miles on this personal vehicle did and does not cause me concern. After reading many posts on this forum I asked to have the plugs changed before I purchased the vehicle and the truck was taken to their local dealership where all the vehicles are serviced (Last week of Feb 2007). The brake pads were also changed, which were still originals if that tells you anything as to how well the truck was cared for (anyone else have 85,000 miles on original pads?) I was told there were problems pulling two of the spark plugs, but that everything was taken care of. I purchased the truck and have been driving it for a few days. I did notice a stutter/sputter in the engine going up a few small hills and when starting the truck up in the morning, but it wasn't consistent and hoped it was just the electronic adjustment to the changes in cold weather. My father thought maybe the wires weren't changed and were starting to go bad, but hadn't taken time to check them. Well, this afternoon the engine light came on and then I new I had problems. I took it to a local dealer right away and the diagnostic showed a bad plug. They swapped a few plugs around and the diagnostic followed the plug. After putting in a new plug the issue was solved. I think I got away fairly cheap, but here's my real concern. I told the tech the plugs were just changed and asked if the old plug had any anti seize nickel coating...nope was the reply. So, either the dealer that changed the plugs didn't follow the TSB recommendations, or they missed 1 or more of the plugs when they changed them. I asked for the plug and it is dirty, but it doesn't show any signs of corrosion or rust. So I am lead to believe that it is a new plug, but was just defective.
<O</O
1) I am looking for others that may have experienced a bad "new" plug.
2) Is there any course I can take for compensation for the bad plug and even the cost of replacing it?
3) What would you do in this situation? I am going to call the dealer that replaced the plugs and ask them what their procedure is for replacing plugs on 04-05 F150's and ask why my plugs don't have anti seize on them.
4) With what I have read from other posts, I am going to check the cost of having the plugs pulled and sprayed. I plan on keeping this truck for many years and miles so I am looking at it as insurance that should have already been taken care of.
5) Anything else that I should have checked that might cause a plug to go bad in a few days of driving?
I appreciate your shared experiences and expertise.
Thanks,
Now for the finer details.<O
</OJust purchased a 2004 F150 Supercab Lariat from a relative more than a few hours away with 85,000 miles. This relative takes immaculate care of their vehicles and has many vehicles with their business that go 200,000 plus, so the 85,000 miles on this personal vehicle did and does not cause me concern. After reading many posts on this forum I asked to have the plugs changed before I purchased the vehicle and the truck was taken to their local dealership where all the vehicles are serviced (Last week of Feb 2007). The brake pads were also changed, which were still originals if that tells you anything as to how well the truck was cared for (anyone else have 85,000 miles on original pads?) I was told there were problems pulling two of the spark plugs, but that everything was taken care of. I purchased the truck and have been driving it for a few days. I did notice a stutter/sputter in the engine going up a few small hills and when starting the truck up in the morning, but it wasn't consistent and hoped it was just the electronic adjustment to the changes in cold weather. My father thought maybe the wires weren't changed and were starting to go bad, but hadn't taken time to check them. Well, this afternoon the engine light came on and then I new I had problems. I took it to a local dealer right away and the diagnostic showed a bad plug. They swapped a few plugs around and the diagnostic followed the plug. After putting in a new plug the issue was solved. I think I got away fairly cheap, but here's my real concern. I told the tech the plugs were just changed and asked if the old plug had any anti seize nickel coating...nope was the reply. So, either the dealer that changed the plugs didn't follow the TSB recommendations, or they missed 1 or more of the plugs when they changed them. I asked for the plug and it is dirty, but it doesn't show any signs of corrosion or rust. So I am lead to believe that it is a new plug, but was just defective.
<O
</O1) I am looking for others that may have experienced a bad "new" plug.
2) Is there any course I can take for compensation for the bad plug and even the cost of replacing it?
3) What would you do in this situation? I am going to call the dealer that replaced the plugs and ask them what their procedure is for replacing plugs on 04-05 F150's and ask why my plugs don't have anti seize on them.
4) With what I have read from other posts, I am going to check the cost of having the plugs pulled and sprayed. I plan on keeping this truck for many years and miles so I am looking at it as insurance that should have already been taken care of.
5) Anything else that I should have checked that might cause a plug to go bad in a few days of driving?
I appreciate your shared experiences and expertise.
Thanks,
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 662
Likes: 2
From: CO
The new plugs should have a nickel plated body, hence no need for nickel anti-sieze. The TSB applies to re-using the original, non-plated bodied plugs that come in those years.
You're probably SOL on any compensation since the repair was not done by the dealer that did the plug change, but I guess it can't hurt to ask either. I would think the plug shoud be warrantied, but the most you would get would probably be a new plug if you still have the bad one to give them.
I'm wondering what is actually wrong with the plug, a broken electrode, a cracked insulator? Seems odd to fail so soon.
You're probably SOL on any compensation since the repair was not done by the dealer that did the plug change, but I guess it can't hurt to ask either. I would think the plug shoud be warrantied, but the most you would get would probably be a new plug if you still have the bad one to give them.
I'm wondering what is actually wrong with the plug, a broken electrode, a cracked insulator? Seems odd to fail so soon.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
Have your relative present the reciept to the other dealer and they should refund the loss. Its all part of doing business and they should not have a problem with it. As long as it was another Ford dealership doing the work they should back up thier workmanship. If it was a parts issue take the plug along and maybe even Ford will refund the dealer if it wasnt dropped and cracked by the tech installing it. Otherwise the dealer itself should pick up the tab.
If it was a parts issue however, the second repair facility should have filed a service parts warranty claim, so Im thinking it was cracked or something that prevented that claim.
If it was a parts issue however, the second repair facility should have filed a service parts warranty claim, so Im thinking it was cracked or something that prevented that claim.
Last edited by HomerWinzlow; Mar 8, 2007 at 05:46 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 662
Likes: 2
From: CO
I can't find the post now that I thought I remembered about the latest generation plugs being nickel plated, doh. Maybe I hallucinated the whole thing.
Looking up plugs on the Motorcraft site, regardless of year, there's a little note at the bottom: "Special Tip: Anti-seize compound is useful when replacing spark plugs in aluminum cylinder heads."
It appears the safest bet is to nickel anti-seize any of them. They should put that in the service manual if it's SOP now.
Sorry for adding to the confusion.
Looking up plugs on the Motorcraft site, regardless of year, there's a little note at the bottom: "Special Tip: Anti-seize compound is useful when replacing spark plugs in aluminum cylinder heads."
It appears the safest bet is to nickel anti-seize any of them. They should put that in the service manual if it's SOP now.
Sorry for adding to the confusion.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Springville, AL
Reason I ask is cause, the PZT 2F's are the older plugs, there's a gentleman on the site who's a tech and has let folks know to use plug PZT 1F or part #SP-462 they're the same. You may wanna bring this up with dealer that did the change. Look at this post its got the TSB listed:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ml#post4395826
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ml#post4395826
