OK my truck just turned over 73k and im thinking its time for new sparkplugs. I have a 04 NBS 4.6L. Does the sparkplug issue affect my engine? If so what exactly is it and what do i need to do to avoid any problems. Also could i get a recomendation on some good plugs. I was thinking Motorcraft but if there is something better for the engine i will get them. Thanks.

Do you think a coolant flush would be a good idea?
Any work for the tranny?

 

The sparkplug issue was only with the 5.4

 

What spark plug issue??? I have 90K on my 04 5.4 and though I have religiously followed Ford's recommended maintenance schedule (much of which is a BJ I'm sure), I don't think the plugs have ever been changed. Am I missing something?

 

The problem: carbon buildup on the outer casing (electrode shield) of spark plug.

These carbon deposits may make the electrode shield seize to the cylinder head. When trying to back the plug out, the electrode shield may separate from the plug and may remain in the engine. It is common on the '04s to have the plugs separate when backing them out of the cylinder head. Thus leaving the electrode shield of the plug in the engine with little chance of getting it out without removing the heads.

Ford is well aware of this issue. Has even issued a TSB for plug changes and has created a tool to remove the pieces without removing the heads when possible.

To add insult to injury, Ford has rated these factory plugs for 100K miles which is usually outside of most factory warranties and thus not covered. I have read where people have been forced to pay more than $600 to have their plugs changed.

Not cool Ford, not cool

 

Just called my dealership, I asked if he would be responsible for breaking them if he removes them. He tells me the $365 spark plug change does not cover any breakage. I would be charged if they had to do anything out of the ordinary spark plug change ritual.

 

I paid $430 @ 30,000 miles and they broke two.

 

I have never heard this before though I don't get a chance to read through this site much. At 90K I'm not feeling too good about what you are all saying and now I will call my dealer and ask him what they know about this. If they tell me I could be liable for anything past the cost of the plugs and the straight plug labor, this will be the last Ford I ever own and with the exception of two Toyotas, I have never had anything but Fords.

I am an American through and through but this exact kind of BS is what will allow Ford to be playing second fiddle very soon.

Tell me new plugs won't make that much difference and it will be someone else's problem very soon. I wanted to sell this truck to my son when he turns 16 in two years. Maybe
I'll help him buy a Toyota.

 

i talked to my dealer the other day and they said the same thing- said they have only had a couple of trucks in there that had major issues, but that one guy had to pay over $1000 for his to be done because they all broke. the charges are for the labor getting them out. they told me they have some kind of spray that ford issued them and the new tool. they use the spray and have to let it sit for around an hour and then try to get the plug out, one at a time. so you can imagine the labor hours involved and the costs. ford has tried to push this off on us instead of taking responsibility because there are so many trucks out there w/ this problem. really pisses me off, so i am in question as to whether to trade my truck later on or just keep it and hope for the best. i have had no problems so far from anything other than the normal simple tsb fixes out there.

 

and why is that? because the Toyota or any other Truck out there is problem free?

there is no need to get reactionary or doing things like that.

the problem exists and it just happens to be the F-150's biggest weak spot. I dare you to NOT find anything as major in the Tundra, Titan, Silvy or Ram.

Foreign doesn't mean anything nowadays in terms of quality. It's just another way to overcharge the consumer because they believe that foreign equates to longevity.

 

Ford's crap 100K wonder plugs and buyers like us forced to bear $500 to $2K repairs as a result is EXACTLY a reason to get reactionary. Maybe I should have used the term "Other" instead of Toyota because you are right, the others are not without issue. I have dealt with most of the other problems same as most everyone else but Ford deserves to be taught a lesson in losing a lifelong supporter if they try to charge me for this.

 

I had mine changed at 65,000 with no problem. I had used gas with a good detergent. The tech said mine could have gone to 100,000 with no problem. The plugs that came out did not look used at all and I could tell no difference in the performance after the change. They had had trouble getting plugs out of two engines, both had over 100,000 and had not been maintained well.

 

HigDog, I'm with you. Terribly disappointed Ford avoids us when there is a problem. Now I have to trust a speed happy Ford Tech to not break one of eight plugs that I'm being told is very difficult to do. Even if I don't have this problem I'm sorry for those that do, I'll know soon.

 

I just don't understand why people get bent out of shape. I see where it's frustrating and the expense can be bad. But at 100,000 miles, most vehicles are 5+ yrs old. And if your plugs break at a lower mileage...and you did it for no good reason (ie: associated with a repair), then IMO you deserve it.

These plugs aren't crap. They have a design flaw...but they do the job. Enough people have the higher mileage and have pulled them with few breaks...and then some guys break all 8. And between this site and 2 other F-150 sites, the general concensus is that they plugs were still okay at 50,000+ miles. It's luck of the draw...and statistically, this problem is TINY.

Yes tiny, the 5.4 3v motor is in at least 5 different platforms (F-150, Mark LT, Expedition, Econoline, F-250). These vehicles sell in the MILLIONS. As with any product, there are some bad apples. Ford f'd the pooch when they fixed the 98-04 5.4 2v ejection issue by going to a polar opposite problem. But it's still a very tiny chance that you will your 5.4 3v plugs stick and break.

If you adequately prepare, and follow the TSB, 9/10 times you'll be just fine. Most people who broke their plugs weren't aware the problem existed...and they just went wrenching. Ford should probably send out a FYI letter to all current owners of F-150s. Get the info out there that it's a possible problem.

Another thing I don't understand is the 100,000 mile and $500 to $2,000 being too expensive correlation. What do people expect with higher mileage? If you get off with a $2k repair at 100,000+ miles, I consider you lucky. I personally have never been that lucky with 100k + vehicles...so I tend to dump them long before.

 

josiah, keep us posted once you get yours done. how many miles on your truck? i have owned my truck almost 4 years now, but only 39k miles because i still have my old f150 that i drive as well. there are a couple good service techs at my local ford dealer, so hopefully they'll be there a while longer. i'm thinking of getting mine done at 50k miles. that's what the service manager told me that ford recommended now.

i am still torn whether or not to keep the truck for the long run. can't get rid of it right now, i have no money and nobody will give anything for it. but maybe once the market picks up, who knows.

 

Dealer broke 3 of mine at 35K miles. I had them changed early cause I was still under warranty and my service manager said that if any broke while under warranty I would not have to pay any extra.....so I decided to have them changed out early and replaced with the Champion 1 piece design so I should not have any problems with the plugs separating. Ford/Autolite really screwed up on this issue at the very least you would think they could've redesigned the plug to a 1 piece like the champion or Brisk.

A simple plug change should never amount to $500-$2000 under any circumstance and I wouldn't file it under well I have 100,000 miles on the truck and I'm due for some kind of repair anyway.

Do a search up in the engine section there are a couple of real long threads about this....one is titled with champion 1 piece plug or something to that nature.

There are experienced Techs on here that have a lot of experience with changing these plugs and still have broke a few.....its a crap shoot if yours will break. What is BS is that it is an design flaw that they break but Ford is more than happy to have it's customers that paid for the truck also pay for their screw up which is complete BS. As far as I'm concerned it shows complete absence of customer appreciation. Ford could have handled this so much better but they just turned a blind eye to its customers.