He might be waiting on the same thing.

 

Over the years, I have seen (read) two different responses to this plug thing. Change them early to help prevent siezed plugs from breaking, or do it at the 100K mark and pay the extra price for the extraction. I changed mine at 30K and just now at 60K...no problems. Besides, I just don't think that there are many parts like this that last to 100K. Still a major pain. They redesigned the head mid-08...why? Redesign the plug!!! That cures all 04+ issues without the head redesign. Plugs have to be cheaper to redesign anyway. If there was any issue to be had by Ford, why was it something as simple as proving spark? Those silly Ford engineers.

 

Is this an issue with all of newer trucks? 2006 4.6L here and scared to death

 

No, the 4.6 never has had the recessed head design.

 

I know! Could be a show down at the OK Corral!! Actually not too worried. He is a good friend and I'd deal with him and his mechanics over any of the Ford Dealerships here 8 days a week

 

GLC, I read yesterday that the plugs breaking had to do with a faulty design from Ford's supplier of plugs and Ford failed to test them long enough to reveal the flaw before putting them into production?

 

I changed mine shortly after I bought it new. I couldn't stand to wait since I don't plan on getting rid of it in the foreseeable future. Of course I had no problems thank God!

 

That is exactly correct

 

I bet all 8 in my truck will break the truck has 88k and they have never been replaced

 

I thought the same thing, had mine done at 105k for the first time. Luckily only 3 broke. Just make sure when you do it to replace them with Champion 1 piece plugs to avoid the problem happening again.

 

No, it's the head design that causes them to stick. It's the plug design (2 piece) that causes the breaking when they DO stick.

 

Sorry it took so long for my follow up post. I went in for plugs last Saturday and it was fairly painless. Technician broke two plugs (#4 and #8). Said he felt them resisting and let them soak longer, but they still broke. One came out in three pieces (1st the top/center piece, then the threaded part and then the electrode). He took me to the back and showed my all the pieces and then showed me the tool he used to extract the broken pieces. No way I would have had the patience or tools to do this job. Glad I took it in for this service. Runs great and my rough idle (although it was only minor) is completely gone. Charged me $275 plus $160 for the extra time to remove plugs. Not bad.

 

Does anyone know if the 08.5 head is a direct swap on a 05 5.4l? Like if a junkyard had a totaled 08.5....

 

How much does a set of plugs cost. I see the tool is about $54 minus the shipping. I guess a person could change them every 30-40 K, or save the $$ on the extra set of plugs and just wait till 100K and buy the tool.

 

SP-507's are $8.70 each at rockauto.com.