I hate SPARK PLUGS!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I change the plugs on mine last summer, with 45,00 miles. About a month before I put Marvel Mystry Oil in every tank of gas, and they all came out like butter. I even had a can of the recommended Motorcraft card cleaner on hand and put it in 2 of the plugs, and found out I didn't need it, because the first 2 came out so easy.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
At work i've seen some of those plugs sieze so bad in the head that ford's puller tool have broken on them. The removal procedure has been updated and you use carb cleaner on them as it breaks down the carbon that supposedly causes all of this. If you follow the newest procedure to the letter you should be ok and if this happens to you, besure to bitch at ford and they should pay half the repair as this is a known and huge concern. Before these special tools techs were removing cylinder heads to get the plugs out.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
You put 4oz per 10 gallons. I put a little more than that in. I do beleive that it did help, in my case. Their was carbon on the lower shell, but it was softened. The mint oil in the Marvel Mystry Oil, is known to remove carbon. I had none of the scretching that some people experianced. I was able to break them loose and hand turn them out.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Per Ford the effected vehicles are
"Some 2004-2008 F-150, 2006-2008 Mark LT, 2005-2008 F-Super Duty, Expedition, and Navigator, with 5.4L 3-V engine; 2005-2008 Mustang, 2006-2008 Explorer, Mountaineer, and 2007-2008 Explorer Sport Trac with 4.6L 3-V engine; 2005-2008 F-Super Duty, 2006-2008 and F-Stripped Chassis, with 6.8L 3-V engine may experience difficulty with spark plug removal. This may cause damage to the spark plug and leave part of the spark plug in the cylinder head. Affected engine build dates are as follows: 5.4L 3-V and 6.8L 3-V before 10/9/07, 4.6L 3-V before 11/30/07."
I've heard that it is more likely to happen on 04 and 05 than later because they started coating the plugs with anti seize from the factory? Not sure on that though.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Kona, Hawaii
Spark plug removal
No worries! Mine came out easy after 122,000 miles! Carb cleaner, huh? Thanks, Aloha2002 F-250 5.4 Triton!
Last edited by Konarain; Apr 15, 2009 at 09:04 PM. Reason: forgot yr. mod. and ENGINE! Aloha
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,347
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I have to change mine on my 02 with V10....this makes me a little nervouse to do it myself.....mmmmmmm
I think I will be spraying PB on them a few days before changing them out. they only have about 77000 miles on them.
I think I will be spraying PB on them a few days before changing them out. they only have about 77000 miles on them.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
Wow, well, I have an 03 5.4L, and I spent a whopping $43.00 on all the stuff for my tune-up. This was for 8 plugs, a PCV valve, a can of throttle body cleaner, some anti-sieze, and a 12 pack of beer. Same plugs that came out of the engine went in the engine. Engine had 105,000 miles. I used nothing to soak plugs prior. Just got the socket on there nice and snug, and carefully pulled until it broke free. No problems with any of the plugs. The hardest part was getting in under the fuel rails. Replaced the PCV Valve, cleaned the throttle body, changed the fuel filter, now the truck runs like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Mebbe I'm the exception, but overall, it went pretty smooth.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Frankford, NJ
the reason you last three guys didn't have any problems is because you were working with the 99-04 2v motors. the problem with them breaking didn't start until the introduction of the 3v motors. the plug issue is with 04+ f150's and 05+ super duties
Ain't that the truth!
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Kona, Hawaii
Ahhh! I see! You guys is awesome
