5.4L 3V Owners: Check your Champion 7989 Replacment Plugs!

UCF-150 · #1 12-29-2008, 10:42 AM

Round 1 - 12/29/2008
If you've swapped out your 2 piece plugs for the champion 7989 replacement plugs - check them. After a searching relentlessly for a low grade mis fire, after having the computer changed (it died), swapping all the plugs to the champions, dealing with broken plugs, and about to swap all the coils at $45 each, I said, well, just for ****s and giggles, I'm gonna check the "NEW" plug on the cylinder that was throwing the CEL. This is what I find.

Does anyone think this might be why I'm getting a misfire?
Does Champion warranty their plugs?

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Round 2 - 12/14/2009
I figured that I would resurrect this thread from the realms of the archive to show the newest plug burn.

Pulled this plug out of no 7 cyl. Now, if I was smart the first time around, I would have noted which cylinder I pulled the original plug out of swapped COP's with. I believe I pulled the first plug out of no 6, and could have swore that I swapped the COP's between 5 and 6... but I could have very well swapped it between 6 and 7 because they are easier access.

I took all the champions out and went with Motorcraft SP462 / PZT1F, and just like the first round of plug swapping, I used nickel antiseeze on the sleeves.

I'm not sure, but I think something is missing.......... (that's sarcasm)

Faster150 · #2 12-29-2008, 10:56 AM

thats damage from prolonged detonation. not really cause of warranty

**JackandJanet** · #3 12-29-2008, 11:00 AM

Good grief!

How many miles were on this plug? It almost looks like the nose has been destroyed by preignition, doesn't it? Except, preignition usually eats up the electrodes.

I wonder if you're running lean?

Faster150, you're too quick for me! I agree that detonation is a good guess too. UCF-150, have you pulled and looked at any of the other plugs?

- Jack

jethat · #4 12-29-2008, 11:54 AM

I knew there was a reason I hate champion plugs. I wouldnt put one in my lawnmower.

UCF-150 · #5 12-29-2008, 12:47 PM

no, I haven't pulled any other plugs, but i will. The plugs only have about 9k miles on them.

Faster150 · #6 12-29-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jethat

I knew there was a reason I hate champion plugs. I wouldnt put one in my lawnmower.

my dads theory was they are champions of the trash can.. thats about it

risupercrewman · #7 12-29-2008, 07:15 PM

Dude, thats insanely crazy!.....Thanks for the post!

UCF-150 · #8 12-29-2008, 08:30 PM

so whats the cause of prolonged detination / predetination??

Faster150 · #9 12-29-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCF-150

so whats the cause of prolonged detination / predetination??

lean burn. to much timing. or to little

che22879 · #10 12-29-2008, 11:09 PM

My dad never let us put anything made by champion in any of our cars!!

**Patman** · #11 12-29-2008, 11:17 PM

04+ = excessive lean conditions anyways to squeeze MPG's out of a heavy turd truck

bigbronc · #12 12-30-2008, 08:34 AM

Why are you running Champions? Is your truck a two-stroke? That's all a Champion is good for. Can't tell you how many running problems I've looked at and all I did was replace the Champion plugs with Motorcraft and problem solved. Ford motors don't like Bosch plugs, either by the way.

Stealth · #13 12-30-2008, 02:57 PM

That doesn't look good.

07BlkScrew · #14 12-30-2008, 04:33 PM

I resently just removed all my plugs from my 3v 5.4 it has 61,000km's all came out perfectly couln't have been happier! I cleaned all the carbon deposits off applied some dielectric grease on the COPS along with anti seize on the shaft of the plug, and just a touch on the threads and I mean just a touch!

I will most likey replace them in the spring with the Autolites from Ford, oh by the way do any parts stores sell these cheaper then the dealer?

**Bluejay** · #15 12-30-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07BlkScrew

I resently just removed all my plugs from my 3v 5.4 it has 61,000km's all came out perfectly couln't have been happier! I cleaned all the carbon deposits off applied some dielectric grease on the COPS along with anti seize on the shaft of the plug, and just a touch on the threads and I mean just a touch!

I will most likey replace them in the spring with the Autolites from Ford, oh by the way do any parts stores sell these cheaper then the dealer?

Autolites are not from Ford. Motorcraft is from Ford and tho they are manufatured by the same company, they are to different specs.