Question on blown plugs
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 1
From: The People's Republic of Los Angeles
Question on blown plugs
Has anyone had a plug blow on a stock engine where it is known that the plugs had been torqued properly (in other words, checked since the factory assembled it)?
I ask because I wonder if it would be worthwhile to take the three hours required to check the plug torque on my stock '02.
Thanks,
I ask because I wonder if it would be worthwhile to take the three hours required to check the plug torque on my stock '02.
Thanks,
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 11,153
Likes: 0
From: Selden NY
Maybe drop Jeff an email
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ne...&postid=803089
Originally posted by BlackCobra99Va
Well, I was driving back home on sat morning after a week long vacation for xmas up in NY... I was cruising about 75mph or so on the NJ turnpike, keeping up with traffic, when I heard a rattling noise...It actually sounded like a flat tire or a small blowout...I stopped, checked the tires, nothing...I popped the hood, and immediately knew what was wrong, (due to the reading of all the problems with blown plugs on the PI heads)...
I was lucky, I had some tools with me and began to fix it or attempt too at least...Problem was, the coil blew out so hard, it broke the plastic part that attaches to the screw. I put it all back together, but the compression just blew it out again after about 1/2 mile...I limped to a service area after about 10 miles or so with the damn truck sounding like a diesel!!! After a 12 hour day and a $600 towing bill later , I was back in VA with my truck and a loaner car from my dealer
I figured I would let everyone know this is a stock truck with just Sal's filter kit... No pulleys, stock plugs. I have around 30K miles on it now, so its covered under warranty and my dealer knows about the problem....Jeff
Well, I was driving back home on sat morning after a week long vacation for xmas up in NY... I was cruising about 75mph or so on the NJ turnpike, keeping up with traffic, when I heard a rattling noise...It actually sounded like a flat tire or a small blowout...I stopped, checked the tires, nothing...I popped the hood, and immediately knew what was wrong, (due to the reading of all the problems with blown plugs on the PI heads)...
I was lucky, I had some tools with me and began to fix it or attempt too at least...Problem was, the coil blew out so hard, it broke the plastic part that attaches to the screw. I put it all back together, but the compression just blew it out again after about 1/2 mile...I limped to a service area after about 10 miles or so with the damn truck sounding like a diesel!!! After a 12 hour day and a $600 towing bill later , I was back in VA with my truck and a loaner car from my dealer
I figured I would let everyone know this is a stock truck with just Sal's filter kit... No pulleys, stock plugs. I have around 30K miles on it now, so its covered under warranty and my dealer knows about the problem....Jeff
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,565
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Re: Question on blown plugs
Originally posted by Tim Skelton
...
I ask because I wonder if it would be worthwhile to take the three hours required to check the plug torque on my stock '02.
Thanks,
...
I ask because I wonder if it would be worthwhile to take the three hours required to check the plug torque on my stock '02.
Thanks,
It will serve two purposes.
1) You know the plugs are torqued properly
2) It's good practice for plug changing
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins, Ga, CSA
Tim: I wouldn't just "check the plug's torque". I would break the plug loose(you might try tightening it--just a little--to see if they're loose before you break it loose), get your tire compressor(with a 'air wand') and blow the grit out from around the plug hole, run the plug back in(by hand--not ratchet) until snug, and then, 1/16th of a turn more . I installed my colder plugs that way(with anti-sieze) 23,000k ago and they're still in(so far?).
Btw, I think most of our blown plug problems come from the plugs being tightened too much not too little. Think about it. The aluminum heads only have 4-5 threads. The factory(or some other instaler) runs the plugs in TIGHT--and the 'soft' threads are weakened--just waiting for that boost, heat, pressure, etc. to exceed the holding force of the head's threads--and we know what then happens .
Good luck with what ever you decide to do.
Dan
Btw, I think most of our blown plug problems come from the plugs being tightened too much not too little. Think about it. The aluminum heads only have 4-5 threads. The factory(or some other instaler) runs the plugs in TIGHT--and the 'soft' threads are weakened--just waiting for that boost, heat, pressure, etc. to exceed the holding force of the head's threads--and we know what then happens
.Good luck with what ever you decide to do.
Dan
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 0
From: President HALO
Re: Question on blown plugs
Originally posted by Tim Skelton
Has anyone had a plug blow on a stock engine where it is known that the plugs had been torqued properly (in other words, checked since the factory assembled it)?
I ask because I wonder if it would be worthwhile to take the three hours required to check the plug torque on my stock '02.
Thanks,
Has anyone had a plug blow on a stock engine where it is known that the plugs had been torqued properly (in other words, checked since the factory assembled it)?
I ask because I wonder if it would be worthwhile to take the three hours required to check the plug torque on my stock '02.
Thanks,
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg, Va.
Originally posted by CCCPL
I wonder if you can get after maRket heads?
That way we wont have the plug problem anymore...
Chas
I wonder if you can get after maRket heads?
That way we wont have the plug problem anymore...
Chas
