5.4 plug issues
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
I drive A LOT of miles. My job requires me to travel(drive) about 2k-4k a month. I tow consistently but not a lot of weight, 4 to 6k lbs. I occasionally carry light to moderate weight in the bed. My personal time takes me to the mountains and four wheel drive is used regularly. I change my oil every 3 to 4k miles and I maintain all my fluids at appropriate times. Oh, also, my truck still drives just like it did when it was new, except prior to getting the plugs changed it was pretty rough. Now it's new again. Oh, one more thing that's odd with this one, I had to replace the "pcm" at about 100k miles. Not related but noteable.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Edge68474
Speaking of fuel, in the winter, don't the gas stations use more of an ethanol blend? Which I hear gives lower gas mileage. What about carbon deposits with ethanol?
I hear that they use ethanol in the winter for emissions. Summer, it's ok?
Have I given you my thoughts about politicians.
I hear that they use ethanol in the winter for emissions. Summer, it's ok?
Have I given you my thoughts about politicians.
The only company in Canada that I know of that uses ethanol (year round) is Mohawk. Petro Canada, one of the big three in Canada uses an additive for the winter but it is not ethanol. I have been telling customers for years to stay away from ethanol blended fuel as it seems to cause alot different driveability issues but not sure about excess carbon build-up. Anyone else with a thought on this?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by KevinAH
I drive A LOT of miles. My job requires me to travel(drive) about 2k-4k a month. I tow consistently but not a lot of weight, 4 to 6k lbs. I occasionally carry light to moderate weight in the bed. My personal time takes me to the mountains and four wheel drive is used regularly. I change my oil every 3 to 4k miles and I maintain all my fluids at appropriate times. Oh, also, my truck still drives just like it did when it was new, except prior to getting the plugs changed it was pretty rough. Now it's new again. Oh, one more thing that's odd with this one, I had to replace the "pcm" at about 100k miles. Not related but noteable.
Do you fill up using the same fuel all the time Kevin?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by stratus225
Unfortunately Lineman, I work at a Saturn Saab dealer and this is the first 5.4 we have worked on, and only because its my truck. The tech that worked on it did read the bulletin, but if you have ever changed a spark plug, you can tell how much resistance is too much. So he just "felt" his way through it and no issues. Tah-Dah! If my truck is any indication of how these plugs are at 40k (kilometers) i dont think you will have an issue, but one thing my shop foreman reminded me of sticks out in my mind.....Canada seems to have better fuel than in the U.S. and it has been tested and proven....and he is also under the strong belief that is the additives in the fuel that can cause more or less carbonization of the engine, along with driving habits of course. So maybe we should all be polling on how many instances of plugs breaking are happening north and south of the border and what the driving habits of the worst case scenarios....for example Kevin, since yours seems to be the worst horror story here, what are your driving habits, short trips, no towing etc etc.....just my two cents.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
I think thats a pretty good call Lineman. Small price to pay now for the possibility of the nightmares later. I would suggest that you ask for the old plugs back- uncleaned (alot of techs will clean old parts if customers ask for them back) just to see how bad they really are carboned up.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
I typically will get fuel at a Shell or Chevron since they are most convenient. For a while I did use ARCO as that was where my company issued fuel card was for. I always use either 89 or 92 octane since I have an edge.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
I'm still waiting for someone to find and show that a fuel additive that is specific to dissolving carbon works for removing any carbon that develops b/n the plug shield and cylinder wall. There has to be something that can work wonders if put into the combustion chamber where it is exposed to the plug and walls.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by tomclem
I'm still waiting for someone to find and show that a fuel additive that is specific to dissolving carbon works for removing any carbon that develops b/n the plug shield and cylinder wall. There has to be something that can work wonders if put into the combustion chamber where it is exposed to the plug and walls.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by stratus225
I think thats a pretty good call Lineman. Small price to pay now for the possibility of the nightmares later. I would suggest that you ask for the old plugs back- uncleaned (alot of techs will clean old parts if customers ask for them back) just to see how bad they really are carboned up.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by stratus225
I'm wondering if maybe the next person to have the plugs changed should try a fuel/throttle purge a day or two before the plugs get done. This may help get rid of the carbon in a big way........
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: texas
well did mine to this past weekend. Thanks again to DMAC66 for the links to parts. Did not read the Ford TSB or have any special tools just know how of how to wrench. Had it done in about and hour and a half. No problems did have the cracking noise but nothing i haven't heard before. Hardest thing is having a lifted truck and doing this. But i do rock crawling on the side and as a hobby so I'm always breaking something on my jeep and trying to find new way's to build it better. (wheel it, break it, build it better) Thanks for all the input guy's good to have a place to go to learn from.
Troy R.
Troy R.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I have a quick question on the nickel anti sieze. I got my Permatex bottle yesterday. It is very thick is this a trait of the nickel , I would say it's about twice as thick as tootpaste. The regular anti sieze is usually a little thinner than that. Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
The regular anti seize is mostly greese, and the nickel anti seize is grease, but with a lot of small nickel particals in the grease makeing it thick.
It should be a little thicker, but mine(nickel AS) doesn't seem that thick....., just a little thicker than the regular stuff(AS).
It should be a little thicker, but mine(nickel AS) doesn't seem that thick....., just a little thicker than the regular stuff(AS).
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 0
From: nevada
Stratus, I think you have a valid point on quality of gasolines in certain areas of the country. I also believe if you consistently use the cut rate gases you will have more probs overall. I recently changed plugs on my '97 Jeep that had almost 40,000m on them, and they looked brand new. I put them back in, OBTW I use nothing but Chevr*n and Sh*ll. Whenever I decide to change the plugs on the '05 150, I dont think I'll have any probs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 0
From: nevada
Anyone seen the info mercial on this Z-something stuff? He drops a chunk of carbon into a few drops on it, and the carbon vaporizes. Supposedly it also soaks into the metal. Carrol Shelby endorses it.