Just wanting to vent guys and gals!!! L launched the third plug back on drivers side on Memorial Day. Now after being in the shop for over a week the warranty company is denying the claim saying that either I loosened the plugs or they were not tight enough to begin with. Unfortunately this is a extended warranty not through Ford. They tell me that there is no way that the plug could just back its way out!!!! OH I'm so *******ing pissed!!! I have printed out all threads on here of people that have blown plugs just for proof and I have a print out from Planet Ford here in Houston where the previous owner blew out the 2nd plug from the front on the passenger side back in January. I dont know if any of this is going to help my claim any but im not giving up yet. And yes, I will be sure and black out all user names from the threads just in case.

 

Hmmm...

Did you have aftermarket plugs in there or the stock Motorcraft ones? Also, if/when you replaced them or reinstalled them, did you go to a shop and have them do it or did you install? Was the shop in a Ford dealership?

I have heard instances where stock plugs were not torqued by techs or even from the factory. In fact, that is how some stock trucks blow their stock plugs; they were incorrectly torqued from the factory.

I would look into that and show them these instances. However, if this revolves around a set of aftermarket plugs that you installed in your garage, I would advise a different strategy.

 

They are stock motorcraft plugs. I was just about to change them when this happened. I had not touched the plugs since I bought the truck. If its the case of the plugs not being torqued (sp?) correctly then this is not the first time cause this exact same thing happened back in January with the previous owner only the passenger side and the repair was done at Ford. It was supposed to have been gone through and checked and that time to see that all plugs were tight, not just the one that blew. Its the damn heads isnt it? There is only 4 threads in there when a plug has what 8, 9, 10 threads? I dont understand why Ford doesnt recall this.

 

Bring your ammo of f150online posts, and let em know it happens to low mile trucks as well.

Hell, my mechanic at my SVT dealer even told me REGULAR 5.4's are launching plugs as well!!!!! So, I know if I launch one, they'll take care of me

 

My dealer mentioned about 1 truck a week pops a plug, lightnings and regular models.

 

What is the name of your extended warranty company? How did you buy it? Do they have an internet site?

What if 300 L owners all inquired about the extended warranty, asked for a quote, then asked if it covers spark plugs?

 

Sounds like its time for Ford to put out a recall.

 

Ford will NEVER issue a recall on the heads. It will cost them too much money. I have a pretty solid feeling that we are all SOL.

 

Nor should Ford issue a recall. It would be way too expensive relative to the small number of plug spits.

BUT, Ford should step up to the plate and issue a TSB which gives a free repair for the life of the vehicle. That would strike me as a fair compromise.

 

You are on the right track.

If they still deny:

___ 1____ Ask for declarations under penalty of perjury from plug spitting victims.

___ 2 ____ Research whether Texas has an unfair business practices statute which allows for attorneys fees. This Texas statute (Business & Commerce Code) looks promising:

§ 17.46. Deceptive Trade Practices Unlawful

(a) False, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce are hereby declared unlawful and are subject to action by the consumer protection division under Sections 17.47, 17.58, 17.60, and 17.61 of this code.

(b) Except as provided in Subsection (d) of this section, the term "false, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices" includes, but is not limited to, the following acts:
. . .
(9) advertising goods or services with intent not to sell them as advertised;
. . .
(12) representing that an agreement confers or involves rights, remedies, or obligations which it does not have or involve, or which are prohibited by law;
----------------
§ 17.50. Relief for Consumers

(d) Each consumer who prevails shall be awarded court costs and reasonable and necessary attorneys' fees.

___ 3 ___ Shove the above in the warranty company's face and threaten to sue if you do not get relief.

But please consult an attorney before bringing suit! The statute above also has provisions allowing a falsely sued party to collect its attorney's fees from YOU.

Keep the faith.

 

Sorry to hear about your extended warranty company being such a$$holes.
I had two problems with my 2000 L and I also have extended warranty and they covered it with no problem.

 

Vehicles under base warranty with SP blowing out of head for the month of Dec. 02 437 Jan. 03 282 at one point last june we hit 900 cliams for the month.
After 36,000 miles the numbers drop but are still a problem. The lightning has been the vehicle I see most often but regular F-150's have had it happen too. Expedition as well."

Thats a Quote from someone who works in the Ford Wrrnty Department

I'm sure there is a legal way to get a list from Ford showing the numbers of spit plugs that Wrrnty HAS PAID FOR.
I'd love a copy of it "if you find it"

GOOD LUCK BRO

 

Hey Todd, what dealer do you use>??? I hope it's not Steven's. Their service dep. is a joke if you ask me. When I spit a plug they told me it was the first they had seen and that they would just screw another spark plug in the hole. Well 2 weeks and a new head later I was back on the road with a front end that had scratches everywhere! *****heads. Then when it came time to buy the Cobra they would not help me out at all. After buying my Lightning there and my parents have bought several new and used vehicles from them and my father worked there for quite some time. That will no longer get my business. BTW sorry to get off topic. -Mat-

 

For what it's worth, I have first hand experience with Ford and their engineering torque specs.

When I check my plugs they WERE NOT torqued enough. All 8 were just barely over hand tight. not enough to be "loose" mind you. But my 6year old could have unscrewed all of them w/out help.

This makes me suspect the torque of the plugs vs the amount of threads used. (Yes 4 threads is too litte. But if torqued properly all should work ok)

WOT