Changing Spark Plugs
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
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From: Sunny FL
TP's latest response about this possible problem
Originally Posted by Superchips_Distributor
Remember that it's not the rust on the extensions that causes them to be really hard to get out - look at the *threads* themselves, *that* is what the cylinder head grips mostly, and that is where most of the problem lies.
The rusting is simply the result of combustion chamber condensation (water) attacking the alloy used in those plug extensions - and that does contribute a little bit to the squeaking the first couple of turns. And of course, by claiming a 100K mile spark plug life (NO spark plug should EVER be allowed to stay in for that length of time), they'll get away with it for a loooonnngggg time.
It's a matter of the plugs being installed too tightly by the robots, and not having proper anti-seize put on the threads themselves that makes them hard to get out. The rust might contribute to a little bit of the squeaking sound the first turn or two, but it's really the threads that are being gripped.
And the *ONLY* place any dielectric grease belongs is in the end of the coil pack that connects to the top of the spark plug - nowhere else.
Just FYI, gang......
The rusting is simply the result of combustion chamber condensation (water) attacking the alloy used in those plug extensions - and that does contribute a little bit to the squeaking the first couple of turns. And of course, by claiming a 100K mile spark plug life (NO spark plug should EVER be allowed to stay in for that length of time), they'll get away with it for a loooonnngggg time.
It's a matter of the plugs being installed too tightly by the robots, and not having proper anti-seize put on the threads themselves that makes them hard to get out. The rust might contribute to a little bit of the squeaking sound the first turn or two, but it's really the threads that are being gripped.
And the *ONLY* place any dielectric grease belongs is in the end of the coil pack that connects to the top of the spark plug - nowhere else.
Just FYI, gang......
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From: BURBANK ILL
Originally Posted by Quintin
The 4.6 3V uses the same plugs as well, so Mustang GT and '06+ Exploder/Mountaineer owners may have problems further down the road.
Last edited by RUSS04; Oct 24, 2005 at 09:03 PM.
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From: Central KY
Originally Posted by chrisrud15
Correct me if im wrong but if it were the threads that were causing the problem then why are they snapping where they are? 
Last edited by kd4crs; Oct 25, 2005 at 08:48 AM.
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Originally Posted by Quintin
The 4.6 3V uses the same plugs as well, so Mustang GT and '06+ Exploder/Mountaineer owners may have problems further down the road.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Sunny FL
Originally Posted by chrisrud15
Correct me if im wrong but if it were the threads that were causing the problem then why are they snapping where they are?
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Augusta
Yeah im hoping maybe mike will have an explanation for this but just doesnt seem right to snap where it does if it's a problem with the threads. If it were the threads i would think it would snap above the threads. I dunno
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Central KY
While Googling about this afternoon I found a nice diagram that illustrates where the problem occurs on these plugs. The problem is where the ground shield is pressed into the motor seat. The Autolite name for these plugs is: Revolution HT. HT stands for High Thread but it really means Hung Tight! 
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Augusta
I dont think changing while hot would be good; Quintin said he did his while warm so maybe warm would be okay. Im at 15K right now and plan to wait until 25K and hope ford has come up with something for this. I only put about 25 miles a week on my truck so it may be couple years before i reach 25K. I dont think ford will ever cover the snapping of the plugs but will probably just cover the functioning of the plugs until 100K. With that, it will scare people and they wont change them until 100K and then customers will have to pay to fix snapping. I think if i change mine and one snaps im gonna thread it back like a mf'er and let ford think that they snapped it when they were taking it out. That way they will have to fix their own F up. Wish Tschaid would have tried that before 1700 bucks.