Spark Plug HELL
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 120
From: Carstairs Alberta
the reasoning behind never seize is this, you are dealing with an aluminum head. if the plug should seize to the head(far too common)when you turn plug you destroy the threads in the head. aluminum really loves to stick to steel, never seize provides a non corroding barrier between them. its also real good for the face where your wheels mount to the hub, alot easier to change a flat at 2:00 a.m. in the rain if wheel isn't rusted on
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Bosch plugs
Thanks for the tip 99f350sd. In my searches I saw this covered alot too but I'll ask for the hell of it; Is the Bosh Bashing warrented or are some just pissed off that they paid a premium for their plugs and didn't get a huge mpg increase they shouldn't have expected anyway? The previus owner of my truck gave me Bosh Platinums (the type with 4 side electrodes) he had intended to install. I'm just wondering is it a bad idea to install these or just a bad idea to spend the extra loot or are they really a good plug?
Thanks, Robby
Thanks, Robby
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 7
I also just blew a plug 99f-250SD 5.4 triton. I talked to a ford mechanic today, he said there is an insert they can install. Not a helicoil. It has been a good fix rather than replacing the head. I asked if it was something I can do. He said if I bought the kit and the tools to install it. About a 1000.00 bucks. The dealer will do it for 300.00.
Who the hell would pay $1000 for the kit. And you get more than a few repairs out of one kit.
I helped my buddy put the insert in his 99 4.6.
I took us the morning on his driveway.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Dingmans Ferry PA
Consumer complaints about Ford Engines - Spark Plug Defect
This says it all, i had one pop about a year ago with 120,000 on a 99 5.4 from what i hear it is a common problem
This says it all, i had one pop about a year ago with 120,000 on a 99 5.4 from what i hear it is a common problem
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Who the hell would pay $1000 for the kit. And you get more than a few repairs out of one kit.
Dubya Bee
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
Did mine in the driveway in about half a day, someone mentioned two hours, not on these engines!!!
I changed mine at 80,000 miles after reading all the issues with this, better safe than sorry I figure.
use copper anit seize and be sure not to get any on the electrode, replace the coil-pack boots and springs while you are in there. the correct torque on the plug is the main thing on these engines to keep this from happening. The aluminum heads only have 3 threads for the plug to grab, they start to back out, you will hear what sounds like a valve tap, this is your warning. If you continue to drive the compression will bounce the plug once it is loose and then "pop". major problem.
FTE was a BIG help to me on this one...... Thanks!
P.S. I bought a Cornwell spark plug socket with a locking extension for this, you really need it to get the old plug out from beep in the head.
I changed mine at 80,000 miles after reading all the issues with this, better safe than sorry I figure.
use copper anit seize and be sure not to get any on the electrode, replace the coil-pack boots and springs while you are in there. the correct torque on the plug is the main thing on these engines to keep this from happening. The aluminum heads only have 3 threads for the plug to grab, they start to back out, you will hear what sounds like a valve tap, this is your warning. If you continue to drive the compression will bounce the plug once it is loose and then "pop". major problem.
FTE was a BIG help to me on this one...... Thanks!
P.S. I bought a Cornwell spark plug socket with a locking extension for this, you really need it to get the old plug out from beep in the head.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
[quote=steelers06steelers;6143239]Did mine in the driveway in about half a day, someone mentioned two hours, not on these engines!!!
I changed mine at 80,000 miles after reading all the issues with this, better safe than sorry I figure.
use copper anit seize and be sure not to get any on the electrode, replace
What insert did you use?
I changed mine at 80,000 miles after reading all the issues with this, better safe than sorry I figure.
use copper anit seize and be sure not to get any on the electrode, replace
What insert did you use?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
[quote=99f350sd;6143254]
Sorry if I confused anyone, I replaced my plugs before failure.....
Did mine in the driveway in about half a day, someone mentioned two hours, not on these engines!!!
I changed mine at 80,000 miles after reading all the issues with this, better safe than sorry I figure.
use copper anit seize and be sure not to get any on the electrode, replace
What insert did you use?
I changed mine at 80,000 miles after reading all the issues with this, better safe than sorry I figure.
use copper anit seize and be sure not to get any on the electrode, replace
What insert did you use?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 7
The kit approved by Ford is not Timesert. Timeserts inserts are steel where as the Lock N Stitch the inserts are made of Aluminum. That is/was the reasoning. However having said that, I believe that Timesert is is also selling aluminum inserts now. I'm sure I read something on their website or at least on some suppliers website.
Dubya Bee
Dubya Bee
Many on this board have also done this type of repair and I have yet to read of a failure.
The V10 board has some good reading on this.
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
I think the Timesert repair is the way to go. Even if then inserts are steel.
to be noted , Timesert recommends the use of copper anti seize with aluminum
Out of all the forums I visit regarding plug blowout, I've yet to read of any type of insert failure. For the do it yourself'er I'd say Timesert is the best and safest method of repair
Cheers Dubya Bee
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I can do a plug change in a super duty in about 2 hours, but then again I've done so many I can do them blindfolded. My brother law and I had my blown and the 7 other plugs done in two hours, swear on my dad's grave. But with two sets of hands working, one fixing the blown plug and the other one doing the other plugs we probably shaved some time. He works for a Ford dealer and does them day in, day out. I liked the Ford kit we used, it locks the insert in place with little pins. He has never seen one problem back with the Ford kit fix.