It depends. If it's under warranty, sure. If it's out of warranty, then the dealer may decide to invoke AWA (after warranty assistance) to cover it. If it's really far out of warranty, or you've gotten AWA on your truck before, you might be SOL.

 

Why would the dealer change your plugs under warranty? Warranty only goes for 36K; the plugs are supposedly good for 100K

 

I dunno, I suppose if you requested they replaced the plugs prior to 36K, and they broke during removal. As always with warranty stuff, it depends on your dealer.

 

I just figured if down the road, maybe at 100K miles, maybe before... isn't replacing the spark plugs part of some maintainance interval? All I'm saying is that if the dealer broke a plug they should be responsible for fixing it, whether it is under warranty or not.
Why try to do it yourself, because then there is no chance in hell that Ford would be responsible.

 

How you figure? The dealership didn't install the plugs when the engine was built. It'd be no different than you trying to remove the plugs and breaking them yourself.

 

I do believe that the plugs are not covered under warranty. But, is the head covered that a broken plug would damaged?? Seems like a grey area to me. One dealer might treat you right and another would screw ya. So, again, for a little effort to just remove and "clean" your plugs you will never have to go through that. I don't mind getting my hands a little dirty but others do mind. That is their choice. This is mine.

I have a good feeling now that I know there is no plug seizure and in the next 20K miles, when I pull and look at them again I bet there won't be one either.

I have seen it here someplace that Ford might be in the process of addressing this issue. I can't imagine what they would do in a design change on the plugs to make it any better. If they made the plug tip extension any smaller in diameter it would probably encourage even more carbon depositing in a bigger space. The ones I pulled out after 22.5K miles had absolutly NO carbon on the tips, just some rust deposits on the surface of the metal extension. They were not tight after the initial breaking loose of the seal and they came out very easily, by hand. So doing it on a 20K or so interval should prove to be quite easy. A stone cold engine is a must too.

Replacement of the plugs by the dealer down the road at the 100K mark would be on your nickel. And if one broke off, the damage it did would also be on your shoulders. You can bet on that.

 

I am an ASE Master Tech and 2004 5.4 F150 owner. Needless to say this thread really caught my eye so I decided to check out the situation over at the iATN. The iATN (international Auto Technicians Network) is a massive (50,000+ members) internet based network for professional auto technicians to discuss problems and fixes at a technical level. Lo and Behold! This problem is real and its huge. This problem ranks as the #1 reported Ford engine mechanical issue for 2004 and newer vehicles in their repair database!
Word is that Ford techs are only replacing these plugs if there is specific miss for that particular cylinder and leaving all the others alone at all costs! Ford apparently recommends head replacement as the only fix while some have reported success removing the broken "bullet" by drilling it partially and using an ez out to remove it. There are also reports of an updated plug with a stronger shaft (sorry, no part number). So, this problem is real and I will definitely be taking my truck (24,000 miles) to the dealer to have the plugs changed pronto. I will be marking my plugs with spray paint to make sure they actually change all of them.

 

Rtremaine and others.

Now, I am so glad I brought this to the attention of the group. Each of you who read this post can now taken action to prevent the same or similar issue to that which I faced. The good thing is that these plugs are not nearly as painful to pull as my 1998 F150 (now my Sons) are. So, changing them every 24K won't be an issue. In my case, 80K will be my next plug change.

Also, the alleged new part number for the plug mic'ed out the same as the previous plug; however, the tech did tell me that it looked more solid. Still, 100K worth of carbon build is likely to seize the bullet in the chamber.

 

Yep, you definitely started a firestorm but that’s a good thing. Now everyone that is interested has fair warning of what to expect if you don’t take action.

Sorry it had to fall on your shoulders as it did but definitely a BIG THANKS for speaking up

 

If you are a ASE Master Tech, why are you taking your truck to the stealership to change the plugs. This service won't be covered under warranty and I would think you trust your own skills vs another tech breaking your plugs and charging you more?.?.

 

Well I for one am not worrying about the problem. I have 96,000 miles to wait for Ford to come up with a fix (I'm sure if this is such a huge problem they must be working on something), or for them to decide to pay for the head removal because of their faulty design.
Maybe a class action lawsuit somewhere down the road will pay for the head removal.

 

I second that! It got my attention because I had early on asked about replacement plugs from other sources and got no where because there was no difinitive answer. Dealer included.

Thanks also to rtremaine for the info on Ford's current respoonse and the information on the iATN network. Keep your eye on future developments.

 

HamRadio,

Excellent write-up. Congrats to you and Quintin for making this task easier for all of us.

JPdadeo- I'm waiting to hear how yours turn out.

 

If you take the truck into ford to change the plugs and they break them off and have to remove/replace the heads there is no way they can charge you for that. I assume that is against the law. Am I wrong?

 

It'd be no different than you replacing the plugs and having them break off on you. The dealership didn't install the plugs when the engine was built.