I took it to the dealer a week earlier complaining about an exhaust leak. They said they could not duplicate symptoms. One week later at boost I found their leak for them. It launched the #3 plug out the top of the head. Cheack out the severe melting that went on in there. No threads at all, LOL. One week later I have a new head and eight new plugs. He said all of them were hand tight or such. I jokingly asked to schedule my 16K mile head change. This was at 8K miles notice how all my parts fit conveniently on my 1000 dollar Retrax cover...

 

WOW
I hope Ford does something about these heads.

 

That blows!!!

I an going re-torque my plugs next week, I dont want the local dealers touching my truck if i dont have to.

Bob

 

Of course they are, they stock them local and train their techs for quick swaps The techs told me that all 5.4's are losing #3 and the heads leak/seep oil

 

I hope your kidding with the parts on the retrax !!Did they really put the parts there???

 

Is this design flaw in the heads or are the plug not just trq'ed correctly at assembly????

????

 

The techs guess that the machine jig that screws all the plugs in at a time was over torquing #3 and pulling the threads out. They put the parts on/in the bed to keep track of them since space is tight in the bays.

 

What was your build date and engine build date???

I am curious!!!

Bob

 

as if what's left of the spark plug area is not enough, all the parts sitting on a piece of cardboard (might as well be sandpaper) on your Retrax definitely is.

So when are they replacing it or attemptign to buff the Lexan?

 

A local dealer has 22 heads in stock. I guess that says something...

 

All the more reason for aftermarket heads!

 

My build was 3/12/01 but another guy had his white L in there a 00 model with 24K miles with the same problem. Enen Expeditions are doing it. The 00' is getting an 02' motor because the head did not fix his truck kind of suspicious... Mine runs great for now I am weary however of putting my stuff back on.

 

L8> I was going to ask if your truck was stock till I found this :
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=50704

Did you take off mods before going to the dealer ?


* Just a FYI.... Being the owner of aluminum air-cooled engines..........I know aluminum+detonation+boost.......do not mix well for very long.
--------------
Rick

 

I wasn't detonating enough to damage anything. I never got the bottle I want to max the motor first I just had a 2# pulley and chip. Yes I stirp it down I changed the pulley three times in one month I am going to need new nuts and bolts pretty soon I am going to leave the pulley off for a while the cool air gives me enough of a push. Trying to reach 10K miles agghh!

 

L8 Apex:

Could you please state the symptoms/warnings prior to your plug getting launched. Your bulid date is only 5 days after mine {3/7/01 bulid #1561}. It's kinda freaking me out. Mind you, I have no performance mods to speak of just yet. Even though my truck is parked for the Winter, I don't want to start off the Spring with the bang, so to speak when she comes back out.