2002 EX Spit #4 spark plug - any suggestions
 

I started my 2002 EX the other day and it spit the #4 spark plug. The local dealer wants $3000 to fix, claim they need to remove the head. At the same time I may be losing my job. I heave read through the forums (which all appear to be a few years old) and wondering what is the best options today (2012). Desperately need some less expensive solutions.

Thanks in Advance

Suggestion- With Proper torque this never would have happened.


Fix 3000.00 ? The dealer is screwing you!


DO IT YOURSELF! Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Thats a great kit and so is the TimeSert!

No need for head removal! I would suggest you replace all the other spark plugs and torque them to between 20-28FT pounds dry. Some like to go a full 28 I like 20 the factory 13 is just to low.

How many miles on your truck and when were the plugs last changed?

Do it yourself and leave the head on. Not much has changed, buy or rent the tools. Maybe it just wiggled all the way out, so try to put a new one back in there first.

I'd be awful tempted to throw some locktite on that new plug and thread it back in and see what happens. If it spits it again I'd use one of the thread repair kits as suggested. Ford wants to pull the head and thats a lot of labor... they probably want to replace it with a new one as well, is my guess.

127,000 miles on the 2002 Ex. Does anyone have a recommendation on which sert to use with head still on the engine? The number 4 plug is somewhat under the firewall not as bad as number 5.

Those are probably the original plugs as they've since come out with plugs that go further down into the head and stay there till removed.

I do not have input on how to fix a Plug blow out, but how would you prevent one?
sorry not trying to hijack the thread. will start a new one.

if they now have plugs that go further down, might those plugs engage more undamaged thread in his head?

Only use a Ford approved insert made by LOCK n STITCH. Dealer charged $800 in Concord CA. If you use a non approved insert it will fail. I know this for a fact so trust me. Good luck.

i know there is a company out of california that specializes in this repair they do it right in the truck they might be able to give you some info there web site is www.blownoutsparkplug.com they will actually travel to you for the right price

lol, the internet is full of people who "know things for a fact" and want you to just "trust" them. please elaborate.

Not true, lot's of people have used other tools with success. No I don't trust you.

Sorry for not being more detailed. I had a plug blow out on my 03 F250 5.4L
So I took it to a local Shop and they put a steel "helicoil" type insert in and only charged me $250. It only lasted 2 months. So I did my home work. Lock n stitch inserts are "pinned" so they wont come loose. I've got about 20K miles on it after this happened. Ford has done thousands of these.

That year head only has a few threads anyway which is part of the problem, so it's not a plug depth issue.