So like the title said i just took my truck in today for a tune up and had the spark plugs changed. They used motorcraft but only torqued them down to 13 foot pounds which is what their all data told them to do. Isn't it suppose to be 28 foot pounds?????? Can somebody on here enlighten me a little bit and possibly provide me with some cold hard facts that i can bring back to the shop to have them torque it right and still be willing to let me keep my 12 12 warranty?

 

Retorque them yourself. The 28 figure is an unofficial recommendation.

http://blownoutsparkplug.com/faqs.htm

FAQ's #51 and 52.

 

Well **** my life... This means i am going to have to go in and pretty much do the whole job again. That means i just blew a fat chunk of cash for no reason.

 

I'm sure they put antiseize as well, as I believe it is fords recommended procedure. I personally would pull them, clean what the antiseize off you can and torque them to 28ft/lbs. They won't be going anywhere then

 

no antisieze and 28 ftlbs.... you'll be golden..

 

Do you mind if I ask what the labor charge was to change the plugs? And do you have a 5.4 or 4.6?

 

Just did mine this weekend as well. Motorcraft plugs 28 FT pounds NO antisize took me about 45 mins. But I have done them before and my truck has a 3" body lift so my cowl isnt sitting right on top of everything. runns like shes brand new

 

i spent the day sending emails and making calls about having this done to my 98 4.6 now im more confused than ever got prices ranging from 100 to 300. my head hurts and i just want it done with.

 

well the downside here is if i felt comfortable doing my plugs i would have done them myself to begin with. So i think my best bet is to talk the shop into believing that i am right and having them do it again.

 

With anti-sieze and 13 lbs, you are at risk of blowing out plugs.

 

I just made the decision I will be doing my plugs myself.

 

That's exactly how they blow.

 

So now i am faced with the task to compile enough information to present to the owner of the shop to show him that what his all data says is wrong and what we say is right. My buddy's parents own the shop and they are very reasonable people and i know if we can gather enough info they will redo my plugs to what they should be. So if you guys could help it would be great

Also on a side note. This was the first spark plug change this truck has had at 117,600 miles. And not one of them showed any signs of coming loose when the mechanic pulled them. Were the plugs installed with anti seize at 13 fp from the factory? If so how come it hasn't blow after all this time. And before i start getting chewed at for letting my maintenance go so far. I bought the truck with 108,000 on it and i have already changed the oil a few times, had the tranny serviced, replaced 4 ball joints, bushings, alternator, battery, belts, tensioner, brakes, rotors, painted the frame and more in less then a year so please don't hound me about neglecting my truck!

 

Click on my link, read those 2 FAQ's, and take a look around the rest of the site. Then give your buddy a link to the site to show his parents.

 

Not every single truck blows a plug out, some still go by the book and don't have issues...
However, knowing that blowing a plug out is a probability, and knowing they blow out from working themselves lose and the lack of thread count in the head, would you put antiseize and torque to 13ft/lbs? I wouldn't. If you have ever torqued anything to 13ft/lbs, its not much at all, hand tight and a quarter turn will yield at least that. Spooky.