I bit the bullet and took my truck in to get the plugs and fuel filter replaced..normally things I'd do at home. But with the issue related to the clip on the fuel filter and the spark plugs breaking off, I thought it's not worth it to take the chance at home. A few hours at the dealer and $383 later, it's all done. 2004 F150 Lariat 5.4 V8 with 70,000 miles.

Dealer says the plugs came out easy. He told me about some guy with a newer Mustang that had the 3 valve heads....they broke every one of his plugs off! Customer had to pay, but later got paid back by Ford after he complained.

Anyway, I'm glad it's done. If I'm thinking right, I won't have to deal with this again before I sell the truck. I'd like to get a new one within 2 years. If I can go 4 years before hitting 70k, I think I can go 2 more years without needing plugs. What a relief.

 

I got my 04 with 73k on it and the idea of having the plugs changed keep running through my head. I can afford to have the dealership change them, but I cant afford it if they break one off and have to spend 10 hrs on it. Its sad, but its forcing me to think about doing it myself.

 

well there's always the home made rotunda tool to pull out those broken plugs. There's a thread around here on it that you should be able to find through the search. I'll probably tackle that in July since I'm in the same mileage ballpark as you guys.

 

I am learning the hard way.....I just purchased a 2005 F-150 with 80,000 miles on it. I decided to change out the plugs.....well lets say it didn't go to well.
I let the plugs soak in Kroil for a day and a half before I even tried them. They didn't even offer any resistance before they broke. 4 broke with the glass in one piece and one the glass broke in half.

Good thing I kept my old rustied out 94 F-150. Now I got to spend money on a tow truck to get it back to the dealership, I am sure the dealership is going to nail me hard for pulling the busted plugs too.....

I am going to have a mint spent on this truck and I don't have a 100 miles on it yet.

If I would of knew about this problem before hand I never would of purchased this dang thing!!

My fault because I WAS a loyal Ford fan and didn't do my research......key word in that sentence is "WAS"

 

gator, did you just start backing them out like you normally would, or id you do the 1/4 turn, let them soak and go back and forth, to gradually work them out??

 

I can understand the frustration. Who would've ever thought changing spark plugs would be such an ordeal. For all the people that don't pay attention to online forums like this or even those that do and miss the plug discussion...it's bad news for them unless they get lucky and they come out ok. I think the right thing for Ford to do is at least if a customer is smart enough to find out about this problem even after they broke them off, Ford should at least pay for the labor for those people that are clued in on this spark plug debacle.

 

It seems to be a shot in the dark. Sometimes they break with lower miles (like 3 plugs on mine at 35k miles) and other higher mileage ones don't break. It is flat out ridiculous that this is happening. I for one think that Ford should man up and say that if a customer has a plug break (even when a "proper" trained mechanic follows the TSB) Ford should have to pay the extra coin to get the plugs out. If this means sending out a notice, like a recall, saying that the plugs should only be changed at the dealer so be it. I think this would be fair for Ford and its customers, especially if they want to get repeat business.

 

Mine at 65,500 were no real problem.

 

I soaked them for a couple of hours before I turned them a quarter turn, after I turned them a quarter I soaked them down again and let them set over night and the next day before I tried to take them out. I did the back and forth real slow, a couple felt broke off before I even tried turning them out.
Doesn't sound like the dealer is going to help out one bit because I tried to do it myself.......second car I ve got from this dealership in the last 3 years...I am not asking them to flip the whole bill, just help out a little. Wrecker bill alone is going to be over 300.

All I can say is blood pressure is a little on high side today.

 

Ok, sounds as if you tried to follow the TSB. Sorry you are dealing with that. Does make the pressure rise! One other question, what gas do you usually buy? I'm trying to see if maybe running a good detergent gas is one reason some have good luck.

 

I wonder if any Ford techs will remember the removal procedure when my plugs are due for a change in 2203.....

 

Im doing mine in June when im out of school, im a little worried. 2004 5.4 with 84k.

 

Probably not, but you won't care.

 

I think before I have the plugs changed when I need to, I will take a good 50-75 mile trip with alot of highway & put the peddle to the metal & really clean her out........& just burn out that carbon.............

 

I've been soaking the plugs with PB Blaster with the engine warm. Let it sit over night. Three engines down, no broken plugs.