Upcoming spark plug change info....
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by 2stroked
bluejay,
No I haven't missed the lively discussion and I agree 100% with it. I wouldn't even think of changing my plugs before 50,000 miles after reading the horror stories. As a friend of mine is fond of saying; " No good deed goes unpunished." I can just see somebody (well meaning) diving in to change plugs this early and ending up with all sorts of collateral damage - for absolutely no gain. On the other hand, he must be waaay past due to change his tires and I'd kind of like to snag them for my truck.
No I haven't missed the lively discussion and I agree 100% with it. I wouldn't even think of changing my plugs before 50,000 miles after reading the horror stories. As a friend of mine is fond of saying; " No good deed goes unpunished." I can just see somebody (well meaning) diving in to change plugs this early and ending up with all sorts of collateral damage - for absolutely no gain. On the other hand, he must be waaay past due to change his tires and I'd kind of like to snag them for my truck.
2stroked aka miniKoolAid...
If the guy wants to perform general vehicle maintenance, then let him. Geez, I remember the good ole days when you could perform regular maintenance and respected because of it. Now you just get grilled by those too lazy to do it.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 2stroked
bluejay,
No I haven't missed the lively discussion and I agree 100% with it. I wouldn't even think of changing my plugs before 50,000 miles after reading the horror stories. As a friend of mine is fond of saying; " No good deed goes unpunished." I can just see somebody (well meaning) diving in to change plugs this early and ending up with all sorts of collateral damage - for absolutely no gain. On the other hand, he must be waaay past due to change his tires and I'd kind of like to snag them for my truck.
No I haven't missed the lively discussion and I agree 100% with it. I wouldn't even think of changing my plugs before 50,000 miles after reading the horror stories. As a friend of mine is fond of saying; " No good deed goes unpunished." I can just see somebody (well meaning) diving in to change plugs this early and ending up with all sorts of collateral damage - for absolutely no gain. On the other hand, he must be waaay past due to change his tires and I'd kind of like to snag them for my truck.
These discussions are totally weird.
Changing plugs that are not a problem will not result in 'collateral damage' unless you are not bright enough or competent enough to change a spark plug...
In which case the discussion is about whether you should be allowed sharp objects, tools, without adult supervision.
The whole point of changing the plugs is to NOT let them stay in for 50-100k. This problem is CUMLITIVE. Look that word up.
5.4 3 valve plugs changed at 25,000 have never been posted as a problem. Plugs changed around 30,000 are posted as possibly a problem. ALL plugs with more than 35,000 have been posted as a problem.
Do you somehow think the laws of physics will change if you hold your breath long enough?
Or perhaps you think Ford will both find a cure, AND give it away free to trucks out of warranty?
That warranty expires at 36k. Or just about the time the plugs are starting to become impossible to remove. Makes Ford's position pretty clear. Wait it out and it is no longer their problem. No brainer for Ford.
The smart money in to invest a couple hours and the price of a good dinner every 25-35k miles. Then you never have to worry about the snapped off plugs, the separating plugs etc.
This is not about maintenance it is about a pre-emptive strike on a known problem.
On other engines, say the 4.6, changing plugs at 25-35k is a waste of money.
But that does not mean it would be wise to leave them in for 100k. Every time I have replaced plugs in any engine with more than 50k miles I have found a noticeable improvement in performance. So perhaps 50-70k is more reasonable on the other engines. Which has no bearing on the 5.4 problem.
Chris
p.s. with a 4.6 in my truck, I have no dog in this race, but I am tired of seeing the guys doing the right thing get harassed
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: BURBANK ILL
Originally Posted by ChrisAdams
These discussions are totally weird.
Changing plugs that are not a problem will not result in 'collateral damage' unless you are not bright enough or competent enough to change a spark plug...
In which case the discussion is about whether you should be allowed sharp objects, tools, without adult supervision.
The whole point of changing the plugs is to NOT let them stay in for 50-100k. This problem is CUMLITIVE. Look that word up.
5.4 3 valve plugs changed at 25,000 have never been posted as a problem. Plugs changed around 30,000 are posted as possibly a problem. ALL plugs with more than 35,000 have been posted as a problem.
Do you somehow think the laws of physics will change if you hold your breath long enough?
Or perhaps you think Ford will both find a cure, AND give it away free to trucks out of warranty?
That warranty expires at 36k. Or just about the time the plugs are starting to become impossible to remove. Makes Ford's position pretty clear. Wait it out and it is no longer their problem. No brainer for Ford.
The smart money in to invest a couple hours and the price of a good dinner every 25-35k miles. Then you never have to worry about the snapped off plugs, the separating plugs etc.
This is not about maintenance it is about a pre-emptive strike on a known problem.
On other engines, say the 4.6, changing plugs at 25-35k is a waste of money.
But that does not mean it would be wise to leave them in for 100k. Every time I have replaced plugs in any engine with more than 50k miles I have found a noticeable improvement in performance. So perhaps 50-70k is more reasonable on the other engines. Which has no bearing on the 5.4 problem.
Chris
p.s. with a 4.6 in my truck, I have no dog in this race, but I am tired of seeing the guys doing the right thing get harassed
Changing plugs that are not a problem will not result in 'collateral damage' unless you are not bright enough or competent enough to change a spark plug...
In which case the discussion is about whether you should be allowed sharp objects, tools, without adult supervision.
The whole point of changing the plugs is to NOT let them stay in for 50-100k. This problem is CUMLITIVE. Look that word up.
5.4 3 valve plugs changed at 25,000 have never been posted as a problem. Plugs changed around 30,000 are posted as possibly a problem. ALL plugs with more than 35,000 have been posted as a problem.
Do you somehow think the laws of physics will change if you hold your breath long enough?
Or perhaps you think Ford will both find a cure, AND give it away free to trucks out of warranty?
That warranty expires at 36k. Or just about the time the plugs are starting to become impossible to remove. Makes Ford's position pretty clear. Wait it out and it is no longer their problem. No brainer for Ford.
The smart money in to invest a couple hours and the price of a good dinner every 25-35k miles. Then you never have to worry about the snapped off plugs, the separating plugs etc.
This is not about maintenance it is about a pre-emptive strike on a known problem.
On other engines, say the 4.6, changing plugs at 25-35k is a waste of money.
But that does not mean it would be wise to leave them in for 100k. Every time I have replaced plugs in any engine with more than 50k miles I have found a noticeable improvement in performance. So perhaps 50-70k is more reasonable on the other engines. Which has no bearing on the 5.4 problem.
Chris
p.s. with a 4.6 in my truck, I have no dog in this race, but I am tired of seeing the guys doing the right thing get harassed
