I have 41,000 miles on my O7 5.4L, I was wondering if I should change the plugs now to reduce the change of problems? Or?

 

Follow the TSB is all I have to say.

 

I would first look for a dealer that won't charge an arm & leg if any break. If you find a dealer that does it for a reasonable amount I would wait closer to the 100k mark and not worry about it. Btw the dealer broke 3 on mine at 35K miles.

 

It is all about knowing what you are doing and following the TSB. Mine came out fine at 65,500 and I am now sure they would have at 90,000 or so. This set will go to 90,000. My dealer has had almost none break. Tigh mileage, abused engines.

I also think it is an important that you use gasoline with a good detergent. Around here, that is Shell, Texaco, Conoco and Chevron.

 

If you get it done while still under the bumper to bumper warranty period the dealer will cover the repairs to remove the broken plugs.
I called around they all said yes we'll cover it...Took it to one dealer who said yes we'll cover it paid 180 bucks for the labour to change plugs and none broke.

I went with the champion one piece plug with the nickel anti seize as per TSB.
Should not be an issue in the future.
Good Luck

 

You are the first to report a dealer saying they would cover the breakage. Everyone else has been told that there will be additional charges for whatever time is taken.

 

Just the opposite here. The dealer makes you sign a waiver saying you will incur whatever costs are necessary. They take their sweet time and just pull the whole cab to get to the rear ones if they break.

Hence the reason why I went to my mechanic and got it done.

 

Nope I was the first a while back. My dealer told me they would not charge extra if they broke any plugs while I was under warranty. That's why I had them replaced with the Champions at 35k miles since my warranty was up at 36K miles. They broke 3 and did not charge a penny more. If I remember right it was $140 or so in labor....I supplied the Champion plugs. However the other dealers in the area wanted at least double the price and charge more if any broke. You would think Ford would get handle on dealers when it come to this plug design and setup a standard rate.

Good gas probably does help but I have only used Shell gas and maybe a few tanks worth of BP and the dealer still broke 3 at 35k miles. They said the TSB was followed to the T but didn't help. I think highway miles are the key to keep the plugs from breaking. My commute to work is 12 miles one way with 2 stop signs and 5 stop lights, so my truck sees plenty of stop and go driving and not staying warmed up for very long.

And my typicall disclaimer about champion plugs......after about 10k miles my truck started to misfire and the cause was 1 of the champion plugs. I now have motorcraft plugs back in.

Best of luck you change them either now or later

 

Is there a thread that shows HOW to change spark plugs????

 

I'm doing mine next summer, I should have 55K miles by then.......This year I will be using Shell Gas exclusively......

 

There is a TSB from Ford and lots of discussion in threads concerning removal. Click on the above Search tab and use the Advanced Search. You should find lots to read.

 

I did talked to the service manager beforehand to be sure any breakage issues would be a warranty item if there were issues.
If the service manager says no, I guess it tells you something about their level of service and confidence in their staff.

 

i wonder if running sea foam through your gas woudl help before a plug change

some have tried it. How would you know if it helped? I buy gas with a good detergent and I think that helps. Mine came out fine at 65,500 and they could have gone a lot longer.

 

That may help. Mine came out no problem and I do run sea foam through the truck every spring. I don't know if there is any relation.

 

some have tried Seafoam. How would you know if it helped? I buy gas with a good detergent and I think that helps. Mine came out fine at 65,500 and they could have gone a lot longer.