Time for a plug change?
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Time for a plug change?
Last week I purchased an '06 Screw w/ 5.4L that just turned 40k miles...& been reading all the horror stories about broken plugs. Seems too early to be thinking about replacing plugs, but wondering if I'd be money ahead to go ahead & have them changed out now vs. waiting.
Too old & tired to think about tackling this myself, and I understand dealers typically charge a flat plug-change rate, plus added labor for any broken plugs. May be a no-brainer question, but wondering if I'd be cutting my losses by having it done now...
Too old & tired to think about tackling this myself, and I understand dealers typically charge a flat plug-change rate, plus added labor for any broken plugs. May be a no-brainer question, but wondering if I'd be cutting my losses by having it done now...
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
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From: League City, TX
If you're not going to tackle it yourself you might be better off waiting until the 100K interval. However, if you know and trust your local mechanic it might save you some $$$ to do it now. At 100K there is a greater likelihood of breakage...especially by a dealer looking to make a few extra bucks.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
I tend to beleive that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Get your just due miles out of the OE plugs then have them changed. If one breaks, no biggy. They have the special tool that will make getting them out easier.
Tim
Tim
More Turbo
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I had an 04 fx4 with the 5.4 3v. I like you had read the horror stories and worried me to the point of changing mine out at 52k. I broke one of course and after all the pita stuff i went through finally got all 8 done. upon inspection of my plugs it was clear they probably would have gone another 50k with no problems. I got no more performance out of the fancy Ford Racing plugs i put in other than piece of mind knowing i used nickle anti sieze on the new ones. The truck is long gone now cause i bought my 08 s/d looking back i would have to agree with alot of posters on here if your truck is running nice and not missing or anything Let Them Alone. it is not worth the aggravation. just my 2 cents
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Decisions, Descisions!
These arguments all do make sense. However, for me, the cost of the plug itself doesn't merit keeping it in there. The cost of labor won't change if the plugs break now or later and it still seems logical that the longer they're in, the more difficult they could be to remove.
I'm just one of those people that like to be proactive and not have the worry. That's why I would want those plugs out now. But again, that's just my humble opinion. Bottom line there does exist the possibility that they won't break at all.
Either way I wish you luck.
These arguments all do make sense. However, for me, the cost of the plug itself doesn't merit keeping it in there. The cost of labor won't change if the plugs break now or later and it still seems logical that the longer they're in, the more difficult they could be to remove.
I'm just one of those people that like to be proactive and not have the worry. That's why I would want those plugs out now. But again, that's just my humble opinion. Bottom line there does exist the possibility that they won't break at all.
Either way I wish you luck.
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More Turbo
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From: Inman KS
change them now is what i say..
i have an 06 and after reading all the sparkplug stuff on here i decided to change the plugs. the truck had 40000 miles or so when i did this.
I BROKE FOUR PLUGS...
so in the middle of everything i had to order the lisle tool 65600 and wait with bated breath until it came. luckily it worked i got them all out but i am glad i didnt wait. I used Champion one-piece plugs and put nickel anti-seize on them. no problem so far
i have an 06 and after reading all the sparkplug stuff on here i decided to change the plugs. the truck had 40000 miles or so when i did this.
I BROKE FOUR PLUGS...
so in the middle of everything i had to order the lisle tool 65600 and wait with bated breath until it came. luckily it worked i got them all out but i am glad i didnt wait. I used Champion one-piece plugs and put nickel anti-seize on them. no problem so far
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Thanks to the guys that responded -
I'd like to hope that I could leave well enough alone, put another 60k on these OE plugs, and have no issues at 100k, but afraid the odds are against me!
With labor rates & odds of multiple broken plugs both likely to rise in 3-4 yrs, think I'll shop around now for my best deal while I'm not at anyone's mercy...
Haven't decided on a replacement plug - any thoughts?
Thanks again!
I'd like to hope that I could leave well enough alone, put another 60k on these OE plugs, and have no issues at 100k, but afraid the odds are against me!
With labor rates & odds of multiple broken plugs both likely to rise in 3-4 yrs, think I'll shop around now for my best deal while I'm not at anyone's mercy...
Haven't decided on a replacement plug - any thoughts?
Thanks again!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Vicksburg, MS
kevimc, I used the #7989 Champion plug as have others but it is a matter of personal preference. I did not want to risk breaking off any more plugs later. I also put a set of Accel coils in with the change. This was done at 71K and I have about 87K now and I'm pleased with them both. At 40K you should not need the coils though. Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Michigan
A little tip to lower your chances of broken plugs. I ran Marvel mystry oil in every tank of gas a month prior to me changing mine. Every plug came out with great ease. MMO has mint oil, which disolves carbon, which will allow the plugs to turn in the head, without breaking. A couple of other people have done this and have had the same results.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Ontario, Canada
A little tip to lower your chances of broken plugs. I ran Marvel mystry oil in every tank of gas a month prior to me changing mine. Every plug came out with great ease. MMO has mint oil, which disolves carbon, which will allow the plugs to turn in the head, without breaking. A couple of other people have done this and have had the same results.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Southern Louisiana
Is this a problem in the 4.6 liters too, or limited to the 5.4 liters?
My opinion on the OP. It seems to me that these things break at all mileages, so I would not waste my money doing it in half the time. There is a common denominator when changing these plugs.......some will break, regardless of mileage, rhyme, reason, or the way the person turning the wrench holds his lips. Personally I would not worry about giving money away trying to avoid a problem that will happen anyway.
The good thing about it is that there are ways and tricks to get them out when they do break, so it is not such a big deal anymore. I would stay away from the stealership though, and find a trusted mechanic.
My opinion on the OP. It seems to me that these things break at all mileages, so I would not waste my money doing it in half the time. There is a common denominator when changing these plugs.......some will break, regardless of mileage, rhyme, reason, or the way the person turning the wrench holds his lips. Personally I would not worry about giving money away trying to avoid a problem that will happen anyway.
The good thing about it is that there are ways and tricks to get them out when they do break, so it is not such a big deal anymore. I would stay away from the stealership though, and find a trusted mechanic.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Ontario, Canada
....although 2V heads have been known to take the threads with them when the plug comes out and randomly blow plugs out while running. So don't think you're going to be excluded from the fun either.
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If in fact using anti sieze will work. Does it then make sence to just use the oem 2 piece spark plug that is a fraction of the price of the 1 piece champion spark plug? If you already have the spark plug removal tool, then why pay for the higher priced plug? Right.
I have just turned 40 on my truck and am thinking of changing my plugs. So if the anti sieze works for the second time around then I really dont want to spend the extra money for the higher priced plug. Especiallly after i plan on spending the money for the removal tool. As my truck is a work truck, the economy is down, so i think my truck might be around for at least 600k miles. and if the anti sieze works then that is 7 more plug changes.
I have just turned 40 on my truck and am thinking of changing my plugs. So if the anti sieze works for the second time around then I really dont want to spend the extra money for the higher priced plug. Especiallly after i plan on spending the money for the removal tool. As my truck is a work truck, the economy is down, so i think my truck might be around for at least 600k miles. and if the anti sieze works then that is 7 more plug changes.