Changed my plugs today
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New User
Joined: Jan 2005
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Changed my plugs today
Today I changed my plugs on my F150 5.4L. Let me start by saying, for those of you who listen to the guy who said “no problem. It’s a 45 min job” I say WAKE UP BAMBI, THE FOREST IS ON FIRE!!!. Having said that let me tell you how it went. First a little history. I am the guy who always says “ I can save a lot of money by doing it myself” Most times it is just an excuse to buy a new tool. I start the project, break something, and end up taking it to someone who knows what they are doing and it ends up costing me twice as much. I started with what I thought was going to be the hardest plug to change. The back one on the passenger side. I did not take the fuel rail out and did manage to get all that side changed in the first 2 hours. I then started on the driver’s side. That’s when things went down hill. They were a bitch. I ended up having to remove the fuel rail and unhook just about everything to just get to the COP’s . I did manage to change all those plugs and it only took me another 3 hours. The good thing is I did save $250 labor and my truck is running much smoother. Some advice to anybody who is going to try this on there own is make sure your kids are not around when you do it. My 4 year old little girl now what’s to know what a GD SOB is?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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5 hours is about right Mike. i think it was 4-5 HOURS not 45 minutes!!! i didnt have to remove the fuel rail on the drivers side, but you do have to swivel the injectors on the back two to get to the COP bolts, and even then they are very close. Dont know why FORD could not have moved thngs 1/4 inch, that would have helped.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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My truck just turned 76,000 mls and will i be changeing the plugs soon as well..I;ll need a step ladder or have to take the front wheels off with the 7.5"of lift, I cant even reach the dip stick lol..Hopefully the 3" body lift will give me more clearance under the hood..are you guys changeing the cop and wires or just the plugs and cleaning and putting dielectric grease in..Im planning on useing ford parts..
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
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From: Louisville,Ky.
There are no wires to change. I am going to inspect my boots, if they need replacing, I will do so, if not, then just plugs. I bought Motorcraft plugs. Mine has 71,000 miles on it. I'm going to do it now incase there is a "thread problem' later before my extended warranty runs out @100,000 miles 
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Originally Posted by LxMan1
There are no wires to change. I am going to inspect my boots, if they need replacing, I will do so, if not, then just plugs. I bought Motorcraft plugs. Mine has 71,000 miles on it. I'm going to do it now incase there is a "thread problem' later before my extended warranty runs out @100,000 miles
..I drive the truck 2 fold more now since I raised it up than I use to..Its a fun factor and not a daily commuter for me..I did get the ball joints and front end re-done 3 days before the warranty went out.from the dealership i purchased the truck from...I put the F150 in for the cruise wireing problem and I told the tech to check the drive train over...A friend of mine works at the dealership I got the truck from..He was fighting a tread issue the last time I spoke to him not sure what year it was.He said It might need a new head, I;ll ask him...But he said mine should,nt be a problem..gosh I hope not..post up on how it went..
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
You'll notice a lot of the 45minute guys also have 4.6L's which give a few more inches of clearance on the top. I've attempted mine twice and only did about half of them before saying the hell with it and taking it into the dealer. I figure to change them properly I might as well have them do it as I'll probably mess something up. I have a '92 Grand Marquis with a 4.6L and it is probably one of the easiest engines I have ever seen to change plugs in, no comparison at all to a truck with a 5.4L.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Some of the guys that say that can do it in 45 minutes may be fudging that a bit 
Others of us replace plugs often enough and have all the necessary tools and really can do it in 45 minutes.
Practice makes perfect
sometimes
Others of us replace plugs often enough and have all the necessary tools and really can do it in 45 minutes.
Practice makes perfect
sometimes
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,418
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From: SpringHill,Fl
if you're gonna change the plugs...change the boots!! you are in there!! they are cheap!! and look at all the trouble you went thru to change the plugs...dont skimp on the dielectric grease either... jmho...
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 22
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From: I told you before; VA
It's not that hard. I have a 5.4l also.If you are somewhat mechanically inclined you can do it within an hour. I have done mine and my neighbor's. It is alot easier when you remove the fuel rail on the driver's side.
Last edited by 65truckas; May 27, 2007 at 01:53 PM. Reason: add info
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
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From: Louisville,Ky.
I did mine for the first time today. 71,400 miles. Total time from opening the hood till starting it when done was 1hr 24min. This includes a 10min smoke and Coke break inbetween sides. So actual work time was 1:14. All of my boots looked like new. No rust on any of the springs. After removing the COP's, I blew out the plug pockets befoe removing the plugs to keep any debris from dropping into the cylinders. Not as bad of a job as I had feared. She now has 8 new anti-seized Motocraft platinum plugs and freshly dielectic greased boots. The plugs had many miles left on them, they ranged from .056 to .062 gaps. Not far off from the .054 recommended gap. They all looked good, no build-up, so she must be running clean
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Lxman1 sounds like you kicked some butt with no probs, thats good to hear, since weve almost got the same stock truck..I;ll jump all over mine soon..Gosh the truck runs soo good and smooth its hard to fix something thats not broke..I know its maintence..I just went to nascar coca cola 600 tonight me and the wife and my truck turned 77,000 mls on the way home.even more than I remembered..So its time for some maintenance..plugs,boots,fuel filter,oil ect.....Good idea to blow crud outa cavity before starting..thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
Originally Posted by LxMan1
I did mine for the first time today. 71,400 miles. Total time from opening the hood till starting it when done was 1hr 24min. This includes a 10min smoke and Coke break inbetween sides. So actual work time was 1:14. All of my boots looked like new. No rust on any of the springs. After removing the COP's, I blew out the plug pockets befoe removing the plugs to keep any debris from dropping into the cylinders. Not as bad of a job as I had feared. She now has 8 new anti-seized Motocraft platinum plugs and freshly dielectic greased boots. The plugs had many miles left on them, they ranged from .056 to .062 gaps. Not far off from the .054 recommended gap. They all looked good, no build-up, so she must be running clean
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
No torque wrench, did them by feel since I have been working on cars for over 20 yrs. I'd say they are torqued to about 20lb/ft.
I did not have to remove the fuel rails. You need a 1/4" swivel to get to the COP bolt on #7 since it sits under the fuel pressure regulator. I also removed the PS bracket (3 bolts) to do #5, it sits directly under the bracket.
I did not have to remove the fuel rails. You need a 1/4" swivel to get to the COP bolt on #7 since it sits under the fuel pressure regulator. I also removed the PS bracket (3 bolts) to do #5, it sits directly under the bracket.