Truck is an '07 with 94,000 miles on it. I bought it used about 3 years ago & I'm assuming it has the original plugs. I want to replace the plugs so does anyone have any tips on doing this job? I'm pretty handy with a wrench but I especially don't want to break any off. Do I need the special tool? Torque specs & should the engine be cool, warm or does it matter?

Thanx for any advice.

 

I'm about to do my '06 4.6L. About the same miles as yours. The 4.6 plugs are "normal" and should be no problem (read special extraction tool not needed). Just regular extensions and maybe a U-joint/flex. Manual says to change them with the engine COOL to prevent damage to the heads.

132 inch lbs.

 

Nope - 28 ft/lb. The book specs are way too loose to prevent blowout. Use Motorcraft plugs and you won't need antiseize.

 

Ok, 28 ft. lbs. it is. Engine cool, correct? And no special tool?

 

What is your reference for the 28 ft lbs? These guys?

http://www.blownoutsparkplug.com/plug_service.htm

All sources I find show either 11 ft lbs or a range of 7-15 ft lbs. I'm just a little leary about alluminum heads...

I thought the "blow outs" were previous to '06 model engines.

 

Even though the 06 engines have 8 thread heads, there have been some instances of blowout.

Yes, that's my reference, note FAQ's #51 and #52. Note that they say that they have tested the heads up to 100 ft/lb without issues, so 28 is no problem.

 

Hmm. Well I already read what "they say", but since I'm the one on the $$-line if I rip out the threads on my truck, I think I'll just go with the top of the range and torque mine at 15 ft. lbs. Just sayin' ...I'm from Missouri too, so "show me". No offense intended.

 

There have been many on the site that have followed the 28 lb advice and never heard of anyone having a problem. On the other hand, there have been the skeptics that did not follow the advice and later reported a blowout. Just keep the ears open for the loose plug noise.

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When I did the plugs on mine, I torqued them to 28 ft/lb. It was a pita to get a torque wrench on the back plugs. Truck is an 06 with the 4.6

 

You won't damage the threads at 28 ft/lb. I'll trust what "those guys" say explicitly, they have built quite a business fixing and preventing blowouts.

 

Whats the part # for the plugs u guys are using?

 

Sp-515.

 

...Probably even more have been torqued to spec, and not had a blown plug too. Just curious, is there any data (% numbers of production that had the problem) on mileage/year groups for the blown plugs for either engine?

 

Blowouts are very rare with 8 thread heads (late 2003 to present) but they DO happen.

 

Dont use sp-493 ?......i have a 04 tho