If you have any experience with installing or using an engine with a Time-sert repair, please post your experience. Do they work as well as they claim???

 

Considering all the alleged issues, I can't believe no one on this forum has used an insert.

 

If you look thru the threads there are a number of them on the use of time-serts. Most would seem to indicate this is the prefered method and even accomplishable by a DIYer with the heads still on the engine if proper precautions are taken. There is also a new type of aluminum insert that Ford now considers to be a warrenty repair for blown plugs. Can't remember the name but in theory could be a better type of repair for the aluminum heads.

 

Blownoutsparkplug.com

Know this guys, he does good work. Don't recommend doing one yourself, most of those end up coming out. Check out the website.

Roger

 

I've never used a Time-sert but have done a few heli-coil spark plug repairs on aluminum heads. All went well and never had any further problems after the repair.

Lou Manglass

 

Well our E350 V10 motorhome had a blowout on #3 spark plug. The repair was done at a Ford dealer in Welland Ont. They used the Ford approved thread repair which is an aluminum insert. The kit for doing this is pretty expensive so as it is considered as an over the fender repair the price of the kit pretty well eliminates the repair as a do it yourself. Full-Torque Spark Plug Inserts
I believe Timesert has an aluminum insert for the Triton now, and if so that is the way to go. We were 1300 miles from home when it blew so the dealer was our best bet.
In all fairness I was treated pretty good. $300 for the repair and another $200 incl all tax for a new set of plugs installed, gas line filter air filter MAF cleaned, general tuneup. Although I was assured the threads in the other 9 holes were in great shape, I have more faith in the one that was repaired. I was told it should be good for 60,000 more miles but check the spark plug torque at 30,000.
From all the threads I've read about these repairs, even the "Save a Thread Spark Plug repair" by Helicoil seems to be quite successful, This repair is probably the cheapest you will find. To be truthful I haven't heard of a repaired thread failing yet, only the original Ford threads letting go.

Cheers Dubya Bee