My son just blew out a plug on 02 supecab with 4.6L. Can you usually just put anti-seize on a new plug, put the plug into the head, and torque the new plug ? Do you need to add a heli-coil,anti-seize, and the new plug ? I hadn't seen the truck yet. Should be towed home sometime tonight. This truck has had numerous problems. From the rear brakes/emergency brakes, clutch/slave, and head gasket. Nothing but headaches. The other two ford pickups in the family have had no major problems. Does this have to go to the dealer to be fixed ?

Thanks

 

Are you sure it has the 4.6L? We haven't heard much of any 4.6 problems. Just the 5.4L and the 6.8L having the blowing out of the heads.

 

Yes this a 4.6L 5Speed standard 02 CrewCab. Like you, I thought only the 5.4. The dealer replaced the head gaskets about 2 months ago. I'm going to let them deal with the problem. Won't mind working on the truck but it never breaks down close by.
I hadn't seen the truck but from the description the coil and the plug are history. I've wrenched every truck I've owned include my present truck a 97 Lariat 4.6L 4x4 short bed. Never seen this many problems with one truck. I'm beginning to think it may be the driver !

 

I hear ya there, sometimes its just better to have the dealership deal with it. see if they will do anything for you, being as THEY just replaced the head gaskets a few months back. They may have overtightened the plugs.
Good Luck
Rich

 

Just got the word from the dealer. $400 to put in a heli-coil, COP, and spark plug. They claim this happens to high mileage Ford engines. (This truck has 70,000 miles) They claim this happens on 4.6L and 5.4L. This truck is going up for sale this weekend. Way to many problems. Looks like the other plugs could blow out at any time from what the dealer told my son. I've had Ford trucks for over 30 years. That's it for me !
My buddy who owns a junk yard and will have nothing to do with Ford trucks build after 1996. This guy had nothing but Ford trucks dating back to the flat-head V8 days. I understand what he's talking about. I hope I can get a few more years out of my 97 F150 with 64,000 miles.

 

Haha... all makes have their problems the dodges in the same years you are talking about are rust bombs the chevys are under powered the toyotas say they have big payload caps. but have you ever loaded one ? I'll tell you that 1000 pounds rides alot diferent in that toyota then it does in your ford....

 

im looking to put a road kit together for a spark plug blow out, does anyone have any ideas or have one already. I go out of state once in a while towing a car, I can only imagine one letting go out of state.

 

guess I better crawl around and try to check the torque on mine...replaced at 95k by the dealer and she's hitting 100k this week.....
with my luck, i'll have misfires when i'm done. this truck has been so reliable.

 

Thats a good idea...a road kit. But for the aggravation of me constantly having to worry about every little "tick", I think I'll just have it towed in , if god forbid it does happen.
Rich

 

Actually, Ford changed their head design, mid production, 1999, and supposibly, fixed the plug pop problem. On the later 99's and up, look for a PE code on the side of the head. They added more threads. And use anti-seize, not loctite. There's a reason its called Loc-tite

 

NEVER use loctite on sparkplugs ! It's plain comon sense . You'll pull the threads out with the ones you can get out and snap off the others .............

 

Runy...whats your source of info? "PI" means Performance Improved design, they chnged around the ports and made them larger, thats why the HP jumped to 260 from the 235hp. Also, from what I've heard, they didn't go to an "8 turn" thread until 2003.
Rich

 

Look at this:

TSB
07-21-2 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V - SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE - NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY

Publication Date: October 17, 2007

FORD: 1997 Thunderbird
1997-2004 Mustang
1997-2008 Crown Victoria
1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty
1997-2004 Expedition
1997-2008 E-Series, F-150
1998-2004 F-53 Motorhome Chassis, F-Super Duty
2001-2005 Excursion
2002-2006 Explorer
LINCOLN: 1997-2007 Town Car
1998-1999 Navigator
MERCURY: 1997 Cougar
1997-2008 Grand Marquis
2002-2006 Mountaineer


This article supersedes TSB 07-15-2 to update the vehicle model years.

ISSUE:
Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, or 6.8L 2V engine and aluminum cylinder heads may experience a spark plug port with stripped or missing threads.

ACTION:
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition for non warrantable repairs.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Ford Motor Company now authorizes LOCK-N-STITCH aluminum insert and tool kit as a proper repair procedure.

Follow the procedure included in the tool kit for using the tools and inserts. Tool kits and inserts can be ordered from Rotunda by calling 1-800-Rotunda (768-8632). Choose option two (2), part number 302-00001.

NOTE: FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS DETERMINED THAT REPAIRS MADE WITH THESE ALUMINUM INSERTS AND LOCK-N-STITCH TOOLS DO NOT AFFECT THE HEAT TRANSFER FUNCTION BETWEEN THE SPARK PLUG AND THE CYLINDER HEAD.



NOTE: THIS PROCEDURE IS NOT AUTHORIZED AS A FORD WARRANTY REPAIR. FOR VEHICLES WITHIN WARRANTY, REPLACEMENT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IS RECOMMENDED.



NOTE: THIS IS THE ONLY FORD AUTHORIZED PROCEDURE FOR SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIRS.



NOTE: THIS PROCEDURE IS AUTHORIZED FOR ESP REPAIRS AND RETAIL REPAIRS.




WARRANTY STATUS:
Information Only - Not Warrantable


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.

Copyright © 2007 Ford Motor Company

 

I just love that part.....for "warranty" purposes, it's recommended the head is replaced.....but if it's into the ESP (costing thousands for some, $1,800 for me)