Well, I had all of my spark plugs changed finally at 68k. I had a friend who works at a race shop change them for me and before changing them I printed him out the TSB and I gave him the special Ford spark plug removal tool that a co-worker of mine had bought. It's near a $300 tool but if the plug breaks below the porcelein it's useless. lol I also mentioned that many people had their spark plugs break off and to take his time. He said he had changed many before and never had them break.

Anyhow, he soaked them like the TSB stated and let them sit for 30 mins before attempting to take any off. Unfortunately, 3 of them broke out of the 8 and of course the ones that broke were the two rear ones which are the hardest to get to. He spent hours chisseling, hammering and breaking the remainder of the plug so they could get it out. He had 2 other mechanics helping him to get the job done too. When he finally got them out we examined the plugs and most of them were completely shot, yes, we don't even think they were firing they were so corroded. While Ford says they are good to 100,000 I got to thinking with all the programmers I've had maybe advancing the spark ruined them earlier.

Needless to say I plan on changing my spark plugs a lot more often now. I probably saved near $1000 having my friend change them vs. the dealership having read other threads of breaking spark plugs. 2 of the mechanics who worked on my truck have worked on real race teams as pit crew members and one guy has owned his own shop for 25 years and they all said they were the worse designed spark plug they've ever seen.

Just thought I'd post up my experience on these damn spark plugs.

 

where can i see the tsb? and what does it stand for thanks. i have a 04 4.6l with 73000 on it and thinking of changing them i was wondering do you have to calibrate the spark plugs? or no? also what brand spark plugs work best with our trucks? thanks.

 

The 4.6 uses the conventional plug design. The problem does not affect the 4.6.

 

I think you're in the clear. I believe they are only having this issue with the 5.4 so you suck.

http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant...d/tsb/0819.pdf

 

not looking forward to the day I have to have my plugs changed

 

Sorry you had so much trouble. I had mine changed at 65,500 and the plugs came out fine and the tips looked nearly new. The mechanic said that they could have gone to 100,000 with no trouble. I had run the Edge for about half of the 65,500 miles. Tunes can be different as well as other circumstances. I run gas with Techron nearly all the time. I have wondered if maybe that helped me.

 

what are you guys whove had ur plugs removed running now? they have a better plug with less problems out to run?

 

SWEET.....so whats a good brand sprak plug?

 

Motorcraft

 

There is a Champion one piece design. A few that have tried it have had problems. I went back with Motorcraft and will change them out again in about 60,000 more miles. I have about 11,000 since the plug change.

 

You're a brave man for going back

 

does the sparkplug issue only affect the 04-05's? or are 06-08 also affected? my sister is at 60k in her 06 and its probly time for a change soon.

 

im pretty sure its 04-07s

 

Not really. I didn't feel I had much choice, plus the Motorcraft cost me $10 each and the Champions were $17 at the time, if you could find them. I think that if I keep running Shell, Texaco, Chevron and Conoco, I won't have a problem. The plugs I removed at 65,500 look so good, I would not hesitate to stick them back in.

 

it affects the 04-08 trucks...supposedly the late year 07's and the 08's had a production change...but nobody seems to be able to confirm


the problem is the spark plugs and a tiny little recessed area that surrounds the porcelain.


04-05 guys have different spark plugs. the part # is PZT2 (PZT2F). It is a hotter spark plug.


the 06+ trucks got a colder heat range plug to produce less carbon build-up around the porcelain. Part #PZT1F (Motorcraft SP-462).


The TSB has since been updated so the PZT1F plugs are the only supported plugs. So if you are going to change your plugs, only run the PZT1F plug or Autolite equivalent.


I've got an entire set of the PZT1F here right now from my blower install. But since my truck has them already, I felt it was pointless to swap OEM plugs from OEM plugs with only 23,500 miles.


So I'll be getting a set of the Autolite HT0 plugs. They are 2 heat ranges colder than the PZT2 plugs...and should work pretty nicely with the blower