plug pics
first spark plug change....
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From: Sticks(seabeck) , Wa
first spark plug change....
here we go again, 2004 f150 5.4 3V.... I've been reading up on these damn plugs for weeks and tonight I started...
I've been running Marvel miracle oil in my gas for the past month. Its got mint oil in it which supposedly breaks down carbon deposits...hopefully on the plugs right...
So this afternoon it took about 4 hours just to get the plugs soaking in that carb cleaner recommended in the latest TSB...followed the TSB to the letter, even measured out a half teaspoon of the stuff.
I ended up removing the battery, computer, and that plate behind the computer. It made the passenger side just about as easy to get at as the driver side. It went about as smoothly as it could have.
I'm gonna let em soak overnight and then tomorrow I'll try and work em out real slow...I'm crossing my fingers and saying many prayers to all the dietys I know of
one thing thats got me a little worried is that the fluid is not wicking down at all! Its at the same level as it was when I put it in the spark plug hole and its been over an hour...aw crap
I've been running Marvel miracle oil in my gas for the past month. Its got mint oil in it which supposedly breaks down carbon deposits...hopefully on the plugs right...
So this afternoon it took about 4 hours just to get the plugs soaking in that carb cleaner recommended in the latest TSB...followed the TSB to the letter, even measured out a half teaspoon of the stuff.
I ended up removing the battery, computer, and that plate behind the computer. It made the passenger side just about as easy to get at as the driver side. It went about as smoothly as it could have.
I'm gonna let em soak overnight and then tomorrow I'll try and work em out real slow...I'm crossing my fingers and saying many prayers to all the dietys I know of
one thing thats got me a little worried is that the fluid is not wicking down at all! Its at the same level as it was when I put it in the spark plug hole and its been over an hour...aw crap
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From: Sticks(seabeck) , Wa
I turned all of them out a quarter turn before I put the fluid in....
I got antsy and eased the first one out no problem...its all intact. It did squack a little coming out...
I'm gonna wait till tomorrow to test the other ones. Thanks!
I got antsy and eased the first one out no problem...its all intact. It did squack a little coming out...
I'm gonna wait till tomorrow to test the other ones. Thanks!
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From: Carson Valley, Nevada
I had the same problem with the carb fluid not wicking down like it said in the TSB. All the plugs were loosened a 1/4 turn and after 24 hours, the fluid was still sitting at the same level around the plugs. I proceeded anyway and they screeched until they got 1/2 way out - at that point the fluid finally seeped down through the threads and they spun out easy. But to get to that point they were really hard to turn, then you reach a point where it got much harder - that's when you turn back down a 1/4 turn or so and back out again. Keep repeating the process slowly and it'll probably be ok. I think another key is to use both hands and keep your force on the ratchet perfectly centered over the plug so it doesn't bind. Take all the time in the world because once you get 4 or 5 out, there's a tendency to work faster on the remaining plugs - big mistake!
You didn't mention how many miles on your '04. I had 49k on my '06 and got them all out in one piece.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
You didn't mention how many miles on your '04. I had 49k on my '06 and got them all out in one piece.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: BC Canada
I have done several trucks, and also severalE350 vans with modular motors.
I have not had a problem removing any of the plugs yet.
I dread the day I break my first one off though.
I did have to install a time-sert in my pals truck for him, after he screw up one.
I wish you all the best.
I have not had a problem removing any of the plugs yet.
I dread the day I break my first one off though.
I did have to install a time-sert in my pals truck for him, after he screw up one.
I wish you all the best.
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From: Sticks(seabeck) , Wa
They all came out in one piece!!! The truck just hit 60,000 miles. What a relief, I'm putting the champion one piece plugs in now.
The most interesting thing about pulling them was that all 6 of the forward plugs on the drivers and passengers side squacked and whined the whole way out, even when I eased them in and out a little first. However, the two plugs on either side closest to the firewall, (ie the hardest ones to get at) didn't whine or squack at all. I was really worried getting those ones out because they came out so differently but they did come out intact.
Overall, I'm glad I ran that marvel mystery oil...it might have helped out. I'm not going to keep using it though cause I hear its bad on the cats. Anyways thanks for all the good mojo guys, it worked!
I'll put up a picture of the plugs I pulled later just for comparisons...there is hardly any carbon buildup on them as you'll be able to see...
The most interesting thing about pulling them was that all 6 of the forward plugs on the drivers and passengers side squacked and whined the whole way out, even when I eased them in and out a little first. However, the two plugs on either side closest to the firewall, (ie the hardest ones to get at) didn't whine or squack at all. I was really worried getting those ones out because they came out so differently but they did come out intact.
Overall, I'm glad I ran that marvel mystery oil...it might have helped out. I'm not going to keep using it though cause I hear its bad on the cats. Anyways thanks for all the good mojo guys, it worked!
I'll put up a picture of the plugs I pulled later just for comparisons...there is hardly any carbon buildup on them as you'll be able to see...
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From: Sticks(seabeck) , Wa
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From: SE Georgia
those plugs don't look bad at all. glad to hear everything went well. What gap did you do the Champions at?
btw, I've got a set of 8 plugs (PZT1F..SP-462) if anybody is interested. PM me for details
btw, I've got a set of 8 plugs (PZT1F..SP-462) if anybody is interested. PM me for details
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From: Carson Valley, Nevada
Congrats Sure feels great don't it?
Your plug shields sure look clean - did you just wipe them off as they came out or did they need some scrubbing to look that good? When mine came out, I just wiped them off and took this picture:
I had 49,000 miles on these but yours look cleaner at 60,000. It may just be that you always used tier one fuel, but it does kinda' look like the Marvel oil may have worked like they claim.
Sure feels great don't it?Your plug shields sure look clean - did you just wipe them off as they came out or did they need some scrubbing to look that good? When mine came out, I just wiped them off and took this picture:
I had 49,000 miles on these but yours look cleaner at 60,000. It may just be that you always used tier one fuel, but it does kinda' look like the Marvel oil may have worked like they claim.
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From: Sticks(seabeck) , Wa
The champion 7989 I went with are the most ridiculiously expensive plug I've ever heard of....NAPA wanted about $18.00 a piece, got them at summitracing.com for $12.95 each, still insane. Just wanted the peace of mind...
[quote=tylus;7056554] What gap did you do the Champions at?
.045 , its runs and idles good...
And I just made a quick wipe on those plugs; no scrubbing...I was amazed how clean and shiny they came out, I'm sayin it was the Marvel oil
[quote=tylus;7056554] What gap did you do the Champions at?
.045 , its runs and idles good...
And I just made a quick wipe on those plugs; no scrubbing...I was amazed how clean and shiny they came out, I'm sayin it was the Marvel oil
