While shopping for an '08 Screw I have been lurking on a number of f150 forums. After reading numerous posts regarding the plug problems on the 5.4, I decided that the 4.6 would be a better choice for my needs.

As I was researching the truck I saw a few posts that stated that the 5.4 heads have been redesigned to address the plug problem. Supposedly the new heads are installed on engines manufactured after 10-7-07. If this is true I would reconsider buying the 5.4. Has anyone been able to confirm the accuracy of the story? Hopefully it is not an urban myth or wishful thinking .



TIA

 

AFAIK, no.

 

Its the junk plugs that really need redesigned..........

 

Ditto!..........

 

The plug problem has been blown way out of porportion in the forums. It is a very minor issue in real life.

 

Don't see how you can say that when some people get stuck with $2500 to $4000 for a plug change and ford has to have TSBs and special tools for broken plug removal. It is a problem that should never have happened. Every dealer has s different spin, it's rediculous.

 

To the best of my knowledge that is true. The "bore" that the ground shield goes into has been enlarged to prevent the problem from occurring.

 

You heard right, the heads and plugs where redesigned. The plugs are now a conventional design with the threads at the bottom of the plug and have a ground electrode that you can adjust the gap.

 

Do you have a date when this took place?

I'm looking to trade in my 05 soon but I'm looking at getting a left over 07, since the cash back & rebates are a lot more than an 08, so I would guess that an 07 probably does not have this new design.

 

Where did you get this info from? Do you have any reference that you can share? If this were true, I'd think that Quintin or i.ride.suzuki would of mentioned it...

 

Here's suzuki's post about it last year.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=309245

 

I got it right from the horses mouth.

 

Oh yeah, I do recall reading that thread. But I don't recall seeing much more info about the "redesigned" heads and plugs. I'd be interested in seeing what the new plugs look like.

Anyone with a truck built after 10/9/07 want to pull a plug and post a pic of it?

Better yet, how about pulling off one of your heads, and posting pics of that!

 

Well it looks like the new TSB for plug removal is the closest official confirmation that Ford made changes to correct the plug problem. The new TSB applies to 5.4s built prior to 10-9-07. It is unclear whether they changed the head design, plug design or both. Anyway, it appears that something did indeed change in October 07! Thanks to Peterman at Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forum for posting the link.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/lc/lc.ph...Ftsb%2F0819.pdf

 

The TSB link does not work. Can you repost it or does someone else have the info on this new TSB. I'm at 33k miles and want to get the plugs changed ASAP but want to make sure it is per the latest information availiable. Thanks

Edit: Found what I was looking for:
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant...d/tsb/0819.pdf

and info on new Champion plugs
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=320780