I have an 04 fx4 and changed plugs at 30,000 miles. All came out no problem ( followed TSB ) and I installed and coated with nickel anti-seize new motorcrafts. Well, I now have 63,000 miles and was wondering if anyone has removed plugs that had been previously coated with anti seize. Can I expect any problems? Can plugs be left in for more miles? If I install new Champions ( 7989 ) would I have to anti seize them as well? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

I haven't pulled mine yet.....but let us know if you do......with the champions you could anti-seize them but you don't really need to...

 

thanks for the reply. I think I'm going to do mine in the next month or so just to be safe. I'm pretty sure I'm going with the Champions.

 

What's your plan for removing the plugs? I've not read about anyone having breaking issues on the second set, but honestly, I don't remember reading about anyone changing the second set.

A light coat of nickel based anti-sieze surely wont hurt anything on Champions, but probably not necessary.

 

I use anti-sieze on any spark plug that goes into an aluminum head, especially tapered seat design plugs. Even my lawn mower gets a little dab of anti-sieze on the threads before the plug goes in.

 

I'll probably follow TSB again. Last thing I want to do is have to deal with any broken plugs. I guess thats the main reason for my post, to see if anyone has had any experience removing plugs that were previously anti seized. You would think that if the anti seize did its job, then the plugs should come right out. They currently have 33,000 miles on them.

 

Carbon plays a role in the plugs coming out easy also. If you look at the plug and have seen a cut-away of the combustion chamber and the relationship of the plug to the combustion chamber, you can see how carbon can play a role. That's why the use of carb cleaner per the TSB. I still use anti-sieze upon installation. It does help protect the threads in the head.