Hello all,

I usually don't post but need some answers. My truck is a 2000 V10 and just hit the 50,000 mile mark. I know that many people talk about the spark plug blowout problem being one of the number one issues with these trucks and I would like to nip it in the bud if I can. What kind of plugs have you guys used and which ones are the best in your opinion. I know there are alot of topics reagarding this issue but it seems that everytime I search it does not work. Thank you in advance for your advice.

Chris

 

Chris

We generally agree here in this forum that the MotorCraft or Autolite plugs are what this motor likes best

There are several threads in this forum that have good step by step with pictures for a plug replacement

We also all tend to agree that 100,000 mile change interval is nuts. Most of us think 30~50K miles should be the normal change interval

I personally do not recommend the mileage as the threshold... I say every 36 months MAX........your truck for instance has had the factory plugs in the holes for 84 months, maybe longer if it was assembled as part of "Job 1" in June of 1999

That is a terribly long time for the plain steel plugs to set in aluminum holes.

The problem is corrosion from two sources... water and any anti freeze can accumulate around the plugs and set up rust corrosion.

The other phenomenon is called electrolysis from dissimilar metals. The steel and aluminum interact chemically and electrically and cause corrosion

The new nickle/zinc plated plugs drastically reduce this problem

OK what this all means is you should seriously consider ten new plugs and boots for your baby

try this link

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...compressed+air

 

Fredvon4,

Thank you for your advice. The link was a huge help. I am going to try and replace them this weekend or the next and I am going to go with the nickle/zinc plugs. Probably use the Motorcraft too just to keep everything consistent. Once again I thank you, you have been a big help.

Chris

 

100 K mile spark plugs are not unique for Ford engines . My mother -in-law's 2000 Chevy Lumina has the platinum long life plugs .Its owner's manual says change @100K or 5 years (whichever comes first ). Our 2007 Toyota Camry has also long life plugs and owner's manual says 110K change interval . It appears that many auto makers has already adopted this type of spark plugs and the long change interval .
Ken

 

And I would be 100% OK with long change intervals IF the BUTT heads had started with a zinc plated plug------ but steel in aluminum is asking for corrosion problems at that length of time

I had a 1986.4 Nissan VG30ET v60 3l motor that is over 14 years old right now with the very first set of Bosh Platinum plus I put in it around mid 1988. Still flips over and start instantly the plugs get pulled once a year for clean, gap and new dab of anti seize and torqued back to spec.... Platinum tipped plugs can give extraordinary service life but the steel to aluminum interface MUST be watched!

 

There have been a number good points/suggestions brought up by the forum participants on the spark plug issue. Sometimes I wish Ford ,somehow, compiled a data on each failed spark plug case . I realize that such measurements (like , thread depth, bore diam. , run-out of the failed plug hole,etc) requires fairly suffisticated equipment and technicians to perform . I am not sure if we will ever get to the buttom of this issue at the absence of such data .

Sometimes I wonder if the spark plug is completly innocent . Is it possible that a $2.00 plug is out of spec and damaging a $2000.00 head ?
I do not have any expertise on plug manufacturing process or the quality control methods employed in that industry . Could that be a potential suspect ?

I earlier mentioned that several other auto manufacturers have also been using the long life plugs with 100+K mile change intervals . Also these engines have the aluminum block / steel (or non alum.)spark plug interface . Do we know of other similar spark plug failures with other manufacturers' engines . I would like to hear comments from forum members about this . That might offer some clue for the mystery .

Ken

 

Ken

I am 52 this year and in my life I have stripped out or blown out many plugs in aluminum heads as far back as late 60s in a Briggs n Stratton lawn mower motor

I have had plugs blow in high compression motorcycle motors. Mostly on an overly aggressive down shift at 11,000 rpm.... grin

I blew a plug in a relatively low mileage Nissan twin turbo V6 300ZX and that baby was a very expensive fix.... I seriously think it was probably my fault as I can not 100% certify that I torqued all 6 plugs and may have missed one of the hard to get to buggers! So under torque is my strong suspicion

And of course the nice guy I am (more likely my professionally equipped 30X40 shop with heat and AC) causes more then a few "friends" who bring me the odd car or truck to "help" repair. I have personally seen a few blown plugs from Chevy, dodge, Hyundai, and Subaru so I doubt the Ford 5.4L and 6.8L are a unique situation

My professional opinion is initial install cross thread or over torque and too long a maintenance interval is the cause of 90% of all plug blow outs in aluminum heads

YES plugs can have over and under tolerances just as the millions and millions of plug holes can be off center,out of round, over sized,or under sized

American Quality Control on some repetitive machining products can have very wide tolerances before a fault is declared and new tooling installed