Just curious if breaking off the plugs is a thing of the past since it is a known issue at the dealerships and they can now remove them properly. Also when does everyone recommend changing them out and after being changed will the dealership use a different plug? My truck has close to 50k and I can't see waiting until 100k...

 

I would change them between 70-80k. The dealer will replace them with whatever they have on hand. If they have the OE then they will put them back in but if they don't then they would use the redesign model.

 

Check out this video:
YouTube - Champion 7989

I will be putting these in my truck at 50K.

 

I also plan to put in the champion plugs but not for about another 10k

 

I have 28k miles on my 08 SCrew, and my brother-in-law who works in an independant shop said to change the plugs by 30k miles. I'm kinda jumping into the issue late, but what is the popularly accepted mileage to change your plugs with this issue in mind?

 

Your profile says you have a '07 F150 but neither there nor hear do you say you have the 5.4 engine. It is only an issue with the 5.4 and I believe it is limited to '04 - '08 if I am not mistaken on the years. It is also not a matter of removing the plugs improperly but an accumulation of carbon on the sparkplug sleeve that causes it to bind when removing. There are TSBs and special tools that assist in the removal but chances are plugs will still break.

 

This question has been discussed on many different threads; some say change them at 50k; some say 75k; some say it doesn't matter when - might as well wait to 100k because they're going to be hard to remove no matter what! So, your guess is as good as mine... I plan to change mine at 50k, which is - oh ya - right now.

 

sounds ridiculous, but i checked the sizing for a 240B/G machine gun casing extractor and it seems like it would work to extract the rest of the plug if needed.

 

Crazy? Maybe, but way cool!

 

Oh yeah. It's a very common issue that's been happening in the modular engines since 1997. I have a 2010 F-150 4.6L 3-valve V8 and I'm wondering if it's still a problem with these engines. I'm going to install Champion plugs at 50K to 75K miles. That'd be the best choice for me. Now for you, I've seen reports of this on Triton engines from the 2004 to 2007 model F-150s. I've never seen it on the 2008 models yet. Problem solved for 2008+? IDK, but I'm still going to be on the safe side and you should too. The number 3 and 4 plugs can blow and damage the heads on the worst cases. Then you're looking at a HUGE repair cost. I'm just saying, I'd take the safe route. Best hope for you and your choice, FORDPSTROKE11!!

 

I wouldn't use Champion plugs if you gave them to me, even if you installed them for me. 75K is a good number for change out and you will notice a decrease in performance before 100k. Stick with the Ford plugs and use anti-seize when you install them.

 

I did mine at 50k and following the tech bulletin instructions to the letter I still broke 3 of 8 plugs. Amazingly, the bulletin calls for the use of anti-seize on the outer housing, too bad Ford didn't do that upon initial installation.

 

The plugs didnt break on the 4.6L/5.4L modulars from 97-03. They just blew the plug and threads and all out. Or the head gaskets leaked oil on the PI engines(99-01). The carbon issue while silly....has been fixed as of engines built after 10/7/07. It has been redesigned...All 3V engines that is. So you have nothing to worry about. I would change the problem plugs sooner than later. This is coming from someone that changes them all the time at the Dealer.....

 

Good Info! Thanks FordLvr30.

 

Im actually about to turn 100,000 miles on my 04 and just called literally minutes ago to the dealership. I have 4.6 2V in mine and i was quoted $148 parts and labor. he understood that mine was the 4.6 2V without the problem. So when i drop it off im going to get that in writing.