I used never seize when I installed the NGK's. I also tightened them down hard-not too hard because of the aluminum head. I also used a rubber piece of tube to start the plugs to ensure that I wouldn't strip the threads.
I suppose the best solution is to check every few thousand miles to see if the plugs are tight. This has happened to a lot of people.

 

My truck did have a small exaust leak before the plug blew. You could only hear it when I got into the throttle. I noticed the exhaust leak about 45 minutes before it blew. If you are hearing an exhaust leak now, I suggest retourquing those plugs.

Nick

 

It has been suggested by a certain tuner that we all need to re-tighten and/or check our plugs about every 10,000 miles or before to ensure they are seated properly, just to be safe....

I wish Ford would come out with a Service Bulletin from our Local Dealer to do this work at NO cost to us, since we have to do it so often....LOL

DL

JL Team South

 

And safety-wiring spark plugs in these heads is a real trick !

 

I thought that is what the fuel rails were for.

 

What's the torque spec for the plugs?

 

Yep. Had the same ticking noise about 3 weeks before mine blew out. Thought I had a lash adjuster going bad. Suprise suprise!
Steve

 

I just finished putting the Denso Iridium plugs in our 01 and with 4200 miles on it, two of the stock plugs were finger tight.

 

Glad I read this thread. My L just started making what I thought was an exhaust leak noise last week. I will check the plugs this weekend. Sounds like a ticking from the passenger side like easterisland described. I've only got 1500 miles on the odo.

 

Add me to the list, My 01 has 1600 miles on it and I have the same passenger side ticking noise...D@mn it

 

HHMMMMM.......They are all coming from the passenger side. Those of you that did have one blow out on you, was it the second one from the front on the passenger side?? Just curious


Nick

 

Mine was the second from the front.

 

I did forget to mention in your other thread that I also had the slight 'tapping/exhaust leak" noise before this happened to my number 5.
I was stupid enough to think it was a exhaust leak...
And after ckecking the plugs that day, I also had 2 that were finger tight. And with only 4-5 threads holding these plugs in, iy would only take a little boost to BLOW them out.

 

I did a fly by to my local dealer (just drove in no appointment) yesterday.
Wanted them to check a couple pulgs on the passinger side. I've had what i thought was an exhaust leak from day one (6000 mi now). Every plug they checked were tight, there is an exhaust leak on the cat on the passinger side.
I'll take care of that next week when i get the tires rotated.

FRITZ, Stock Silver 2001 "L"

 

Well,
I just finished checking all the plugs in the OLE '01 L and all 8 were good and tight .(Thank goodness) After reading these posts, I began to worry that the plugs were loose in my truck. Yes, It is quite a chore doing this job but well worth it in regards to having piece of mind and all. I did pull two plugs out, just to look at the burn condition and the tips are reddish in color. I suppose this is normal. The L has 12,534 miles a present, so if the plugs haven't backed out by now maybe they were properly tightened in the factory. I will check the torque of the plugs @ 10,000 mile intervals just to be on the safe side. If any of you out there have not checked your trucks sparkers, then you would benfit by checking out Chucks Lightning Page. You will find detailed steps to do the job and all of the tools needed.

http://home.midsouth.rr.com/lightnin...parkplugs.html

Spike