You may have read my thread about my plugs breaking when the Ford dealer I bought my 04 5.4L 2WD XLT from, snapped 3 of 8 sparkplugs. Had to remove the engine and Trans, to remove plug pieces left in heads, and ceramic that fell into my cylinder. Well I am on 2 WEEKS now with no truck. After a bunch of stalling and excuses the service guy called to tell me yesterday, that it was together but, the mechanic didn't like the way it was running. He wanted to keep it another day to do a cold engine start-up. SO, this afternoon I get a call from them telling me my engine keeps jumping timing. And they don't know why! The mechanic is on the phone with Ford looking for help. Does anyone here think my truck may ever be reliable again? My truck has 53K mi, and my drive train was removed. The top half of my engine disassembled and put back together by Ford certified technicians. What a F#$*ing joke. Anyone know Kelly Blue Book value of a POS? If anyone thinks this plug issue is an isolated incident, or a blown out of proportion issue, Do you want to buy my truck? I bet not. Ask your dealer what there stance is on this when YOU need a tune up. I'll keep you posted.

 

Just got home from my friendly Ford Dealer minus my truck. They are letting my spark plugs do an overnight soak in hopes of freeing them in the morning. The quote right now is $1600 to pull both heads and do the plugs. There has to be justice for this problem. We didn't do anything wrong!!! Got the same song and dance from the customer line. It's a dealer issue, they broke the plugs.

 

I'm terrified of the day I need to change my plugs. Definitely keep us posted.

 

There is no way they should charge you if they brake the plugs off in the heads.

First there are two TSBs for the spark plugs.

1. Tells you how to pull the plugs.

2. Tells you how to remove the parts of the plugs WITHOUT taking apart the engine and the drive train.


1 continued....

They are supposed to use a special lubricant as it pentrates well (forgot the name of it) and spray it at the base of the plug. Then let it soak for 30 minutes and make sure the engine is warm. Not hot, just warm and definitely not cold. Then turn the plug 1/4 turn and back an 1/8 th turn. Keep doing this and spraying the lubricant as you go and you shouldn't have any problems.

IN THE EVENT YOU DO HAVE A PROBLEM

2 continued...

Engineers developed a specific tool to pull the parts of the spark plug out of the hole without leaving behind any metal shavings. There is more detailed instructions on using this FORD SPECIFIC tool in the TSB.

You're in deep crap if your dealership isn't bright enough to find these TSBs.

There shouldn't be ANY REASON any more to have to take apart the heads down to the block. Thats 13 hours worth of labor just to get the first head off and then another 2 hours to get the second head off. Then 15 hours to put it all back together. Gotta thank Ford for the engine design on that one.

The only reason they're bluffing and trying to get you to cover the bill is that it's easier to try and get you to pay vs. chasing Ford for THEIR ERROR by not following the TSB.

Keep us posted,

Duke

 

Everytime I see a post like this, I think about trading my truck in. If the dealership broke them, they need to eat the cost.

 

man sorry that sucks

the only problem with mine right now is squealin brakes and im at 24k miles

in a week or two im takin it in and theyre keepin it for 2 days n givin me a rental

 

man that sucks! i hope everyting works out for ya! this makes me want to have them change mine next oil change lol it will only be 15k but idc i dont want to have to deal with something like this.

 

It's about damn near impossible to use the removal tool on the rearmost cylinders on either bank with the engine in the truck.

I'll probably jinx myself saying this, but I'm wondering what so many people are doing to break these plugs off. Yes, they do make all kinds of scary cracking and popping noises coming out, and it is definitely a possiblity that they can break upon removal, but I've been fortunate; cold or hot, I've never had one break on me yet.

 

Agreed, and Im having detonation issues. I dread the day I have to either replace my plugs or have the dealership replace them and make me flip the bill. I better start grabbing the vasoline and my ankles now...

 

I'd agree and the people who pay the bill are out of their minds and I feel bad for them and their wallets.

 

Mine were changed by the dealer on a tsb (spark knock) at around 25,000 miles, none broke. I am going to have them changed every 25,000 miles no matter what anybody else says.

 

Did mine at 24K and also plan to do em at least every 30K

 

I did get them to eat the bill except for the $150 for the original plug change. Isn't great how they made me feel like I got A DEAL? After 18 days in the shop, lawyers involved, Attorney General's office I filed a complaint, and called the local news for help. They did me the favor by paying for there screw up? Anyway, the TSB is merely a suggestion on how to help get them out without damage. It is not a fool proof procedure! And someone was right about the back cylinders not being able to access them too well. Esp. the passanger side. But yes, remove them at regular service intervals and DON"T FORGET TO BLOW THE DEBRIS OUT OF THE PLUG HOLE BEFORE YOU REMOVE THEM. Call the Ford customer service phone number and tell them this is unacceptable. Once we flood them with calls, hopefully Ford will realize this is not going away, and alot of people will be buying other trucks, and telling their friends to not buy Fords either. I'M TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT THIS that has a Ford/Lincoln truck or van. Don't just sit still and hope you never have this problem. Thanks

 

they are probably breaking because they rip them out like they would any other vehicle. i changed them myself at 25-30k and had no problems, and this was after adding the s/c and having pinging issues. i would say it may be best to change them yourself so you can be sure they are being treated gently, but then again, if you break one, you may be on your own. i did mine because i knew my truck was out of warranty anyway because of mods. if your truck is still under warranty, take it to the dealer, tell them how important it is to remove them carefully, and dont take any *&%^ if they break one. how can they make you pay if they replace the factory installed plugs while your truck is still under warranty? id like to see someone try that crap on me...

 

Many people do not realize the bending load they put on a bolt/nut/spark plug when they attach a ratchet extension and don't hold the head of the ratchet concentric to the bolt/nut/plug when turning the handle.

Put a ton of torsional stress on any part, then put a bending load on it, and SNAP. I've seen WAY too many people break lugs off their car/truck by standing on the lug wrench to get the stuck lugnut loosened. Then they ask why.

With modern engines, and spark plugs buried down in the engine, extensions are required to get them out. Unfortunately, most DIY'ers and I'd bet a lot of mechanics don't understand the concept of combined stresses.

Woo-hoo! My hundredth post!!