No, the one on the right is just a standard plug that you will see in pretty much any other engine for comparison to the ones used in our engines (left).

 

SeaFoam works well, you just suck up a bit slowly through a vacuum line. But with a fairly new engine we shouldnt need to do that. Its usually higher mileage engines that need to be cleaned of carbon. This makes me think that the spark plugs should be changed at around 30k mile intervals. The heat cycles cause different expansion rates for the steel plug versus the aluminum head and this will cause near bonding of the two metals given a long period of time(100k miles). Stripped spark plug threads turns into a major deal, especially if you have to replace the entire head. I believe that Ford doesnt recommend changing the plugs until then because nearly all trucks will be well out of warranty and they realize that this is an issue...one they really dont want to deal with.

 

Tschaid:

What worries me is the difference in the new plugs. Look at the traditional plug, the sealing ring is just above the threads. Now look at the F150 plug, the sealing ring is below the threads, thats a first. So the sealing ring is below(or further into) the cylinder.

On a side note, it cost you $1700 for the dealership to fix their screwup? Am I reading this properly. So if you change the plugs when you're supposed to and they break off even when Ford does it, you have to pay?? Something sound horribly wrong.

 

[IMG] Guess I can't see how to put the pics in. If somebody can tell me how to add pics, I will show you one of the plugs that we pulled and where all broke off.

Anyway,

Yep, poor plug design + tolerances too close in the cylinder == seized plug. As for the dealer screwing up..... I am having a hard time understanding how the dealer really did anything wrong. I am quite sure that Ford knows about this. I am also quite sure that the Dealers didn't or couldn't have known until I told them about the plug design and difficulty. Once they had my truck, they had nothing to lose since I had already busted two off myself. At that point, they knew they would be pulling the heads. The 100,000 drive train warranty doesn't include plugs; but, my truck had 68,400 on it. So seizure occurred much earlier. I suspect at around 30K.

 

ChrisAdams:

Doubt that any of your remedies will work on this. The plug seizes an 1" below the threads. In other words, it is unlikely that any of that will work past the threads.

 

Yup that's what I thought as well.

I was just answering the question about how it used to be done, but as I said in the post, this looks too far up to get by any easy method.

The feed it through the vacuum line method is not gonna get as much as the old style method.


If this is as bad as it sounds, they will have to find someway to fix it, or resale is gonna take a huge hit.

I think they will figure a method within a year or so.
Chris

 

So is it smart for me to pull my 5k plugs and replace with traditional plugs while they might be somewhat easier to get out? Will I have better performance with better plugs?

 

One more question, what is this design supposed to give us over traditional design plugs?

 

I just couldnt believe the dealer would charge $1700 for something that is not the owners fault, thats my point. If it is a design flaw, then Ford should pay not the consumer.

Anyway, because the seal ring is below the threads, I could indeed see how siezure would become a problem. Why wouldnt the sealing ring just be above the threads like on every other engine? I have a feeling there are going to be thousands of angry F150 owners in a year or so when this "100k" mile spark plug changes turns into a couple thousand dollar nightmare. Like I said, Im changing mine at 30k to be safe.

 

Based on the new head design, its doesnt seem possible to install a traditional style threaded spark plug. The sealing ring location is totally different. Seems like we're stuck with these plugs.

 

Makes sense silver. I wonder if the 06's are using the same plug or an improved version of it.

 

TSCHAID,I noticed you are running a different exhaust,intake and tuner.Are you also running premium fuel? If so this could be the reason for the carbon build-up.Just an observation.

 

Here's a link for the Motorcraft version, but no image. I wonder if it's the same design/style. http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...number=PZT1FF4

 

Yep... Superchip, intake, exhaust, 93 octane.... All should result in a more complete burn resulting in less carbon build up.... Not more. Don't see how you can look at it any other way. However.... that is why I posted my original question to see if anyone else has run into this issue. I do know that the Ford Techs at Ford Motor Company know about the issue. When the were posted with a question by the Service Mgr, they responded with a simple and curt "Yes they will" when asked if this new plug design and head design could result in plugs breaking off.

As far as the Motorcraft vs. the Autolite. They are the same identical plug. Autolite brags about this new design specifically for Ford and this new motor. The mechanic mic'ed each plug and they were identical. I do suspect that a narrower bottom sleeve would help delayed the carbon siezure; but, I am not aware of any new plug design for this purpose.

And... No. you cannot use the traditional plug design. It won't extend far enough into the cylinder.

 

I still haven't figured out how you guys are adding pics. Somebody please educate me. I have a couple of pics that you might find interesting.