It's not always do to an improper plug change. A co-worker (2002 f250) just had his 5.4L spit a plug out at 10500km(about 67000miles) and he's the original owner and never had the plugs out. $3500 bill which Ford has offered to pay 60%. He's not too pleased with the situation.

 

I KNOW FOR SURE that I will get flamed for this, but here is MHO anyway -

Ford MADE the products and parts in question after THEIR research and development should have had ample time to diagnose and correct a problem that should have been caught and corrected much sooner than it was either diagnosed or corrected (whew!). The problem was caused before the 1997 model year, and not corrected until during production for maybe the 2004 (?) model year, or 7 years or more later???

Ford (or their licensed agents) SOLD the (potentially defective) product to consumers at some retail price on the premise of "Built Ford Tough" and dependability and reputation of the Ford product. They charged and got that retail/sale price after offering a value (of a product) in return for that retail (MSRP) or sale price.

Even if it IS only 5% (as some here say) of engines that have had problems with blown plugs (caused by this manufacturing defect), I STILL feel that 5% is enough to determine that there IS a problem which SHOULD be made good by the manufacturer, especially if that 5% was intentional or caused by neglect or refusal to address the issue of an already known problem or manufacturing defect. The smaller percentage it really is - the more Ford SHOULD have done or been willing to do what is right and take responsibility for the problem and take care of their customers.

Otherwise they are indicating to us that they are selling a product for which they may list a vehicle for anywhere between $20k and $40K +, but that as many as 5% of those who purchase their product are prone to experience damages (as a result of a known defect in design and manufacture) that could cost the purchaser an amount of up to 5% - 10% of the original price they paid for that vehicle in the first place, for which Ford might not take any responsibility, and the purchaser might be totally liable for all damages and expenses.

I don't think that is an ethical way to do business. I own a Ford. I have had several of them, and I have one right now with 200K miles on it. I could have had this problem, but I haven't as of yet. I am in a 95% majority, and I STILL consider that lucky for me that it hasn't happened to me so far. Ford NEVER OFFERED me the choice as to whether or not I was even willing to take that "5%" chance/risk of losing (potentially up to) several thousand dollars when I bought any of those new Ford vehicles that they took my hard earned money for when I paid for them. I was forced to take that risk without my knowledge.

THAT is no ethical way to do business. In my business I should be responsible for whatever I do, and for whatever damage I cause (especially if it was in any way intentional), and if my customers suffer financial loss from what I do then I should be responsible and ethical enough to make that up to them one way or another, even if I have to file against my insurance to do it.

Ford KNEW they had a problem, and they continued to do business anyway, in many cases they seemed to have covered up the fact that they did even know there was a problem. I wonder how many new car salesman told buyers that their new vehicle had a known problem/defect that could potentially cause the owner several thousand dollars to repair, and that Ford would NOT stand behind their product and cover this defect when damage occurred. Yeah - RIGHT!

For all the people here who say that Ford has "stepped up to the plate" and done right by them I see A LOT of evidence indicating that they are in the small minority. I see comments about class action lawsuits - are THOSE people happy with the outcome as to how Ford treated them after they learned (after the fact) that they were in that 5%?

WHERE are all the comments from people who are saying that Ford treated them right when they encountered this problem and suffered damages from it? I see a few, but not very many...

I NEVER said that Ford didn't make a good product, or that they don't have the best product, at least in terms of a pickup truck. I believe that they do, my issue is how they do business with their loyal customer base that has kept them the "best seller" for so many years on a row.

HOW can you make the best (or at least the best selling) product in the industry for 29 years on a row and STILL be in such bad financial trouble???

I think I read some previous post saying that Ford took this stance as a financial decision. REAL ethics and integrity are not for sale at any price, and those with those traits will do what is right, or make it right. Those who attach theirs to a dollar figure do not really have any of either, they just haven't reached the $$ figure where they prove that fact to others.

Go ahead - flame away!

 

One should always install plugs in aluminum heads using anti-seize. I have installed many inserts in 4.6,5.4 and v-10's and have never had a problem. I have never torqued them just lightly snugged them. One thing many forget when installing plugs is that the heat tightens the plugs. Ford did not screw up with the design many auto makers have used the same design for many years.

 

FORD never uses anti-seize, it makes it easier to strip the soft aluminum threads.
HEAT loosens the plugs, that's why they must be torqued.
FORD definitely screwed up the design with only 3-4 threads in the sparkplug hole.

 

I'm not sure wether or not Ford uses anti-sieze, but the rest is BULL!! - I believe anti-sieze aids in sealing as well- it's says to use this in all the the freakin books!! 167k and I didn' get there without an issue due to luck. If what your saying is true about aluminum heads then every motor that incorperates would have this trouble ..Or u saying , it's a heat treating problem now? I don't think so - Brinel reading's have to threw QC for tagging and it's not a one step process. That doesn't get done @ Ford Motor Co. -That's an Atmosphere Processing thing. This is the problem , people don't know what the hell they are doing or talking about!! Oh yea , Ford should pay for that alright!! and I count 5 threads - u do torqe them , 12 -14 lbs as directed, it isn't much..

 

Dude, I have owned many vehicles before this one. Did all my own plug changes on them. Did them all the same way, with anti-seize and snugged up. Never had a problem one with blowing plugs. Then I get this 99 f150 and popped one 10k after letting a shop change them. So I redid them all my way and 10k later blew another and somehow seized the motor at the same time. Now i have installed a new motor, with no anti-seize on the plugs and exact torque specs. We'll see how long this one goes.



Nobody knows exactly what the problem is, just speculations. Your rubbing salt in the wound here yelling how right you are because you haven't blown a plug, so far. Supposedly 95% of the people with f150s don't blow a plug either, does that make them all right too just because they haven't experienced the problem? Doubt it. Plug changing isn't a science, it should be fairly easy and straight foreward.

Can you tell me why Ford would change the thread count if the thread count wasn't a possible cause of this whole problem? They didn't issue any tsb's about it, no recalls, no other changes in this area, but they go and increase the number of threads? Maybe we should get them to explain the reasons behind the change.

 

DSS racing has a pair of new heads CNC ported and polished for $1399 pair they could probably do inserts on them as well.

Maybe a good option for somebody

http://www.dssracing.com/

 

Hi, Well, I have a Late 98 5.4 w/COP'S - build date 7/98. A new reman motor in 2000. I'm almost positive they used my 98 heads again - (they were dirty on the outside after the new motor was installed) but is is possible I have a reman set - I have never pulled them myself, but counted the threads and I do have 5 in there. From what I gather most of the problems are with the 5.4L. The 97 and 98 share the same heads - Non PI heads. The 99 5.4's in the 150's only recieved the updated PI (Power Improved)heads - Is this when most of the problems started - I'm not clear on that. If I remeber right , in 2000 the 4.6L recieved the updated heads as well. Theoredically, Seems to me Plugs would only come loose through vibration - metal to metal. Anti - sieze would counter that and overall lesson the chances of mineut compression loss or complications that may lead to a blow out. I've never snugged plugs and wouldn't if they didn't have a compression washer on them from the manufacturer - you need to use the right plugs they need to be torqed as any other. never herd of snugging your plugs in any shop manual. I don't think people (including the dealerships are installing them right) you siezed your motor, so you had other issue's - but still - "snug" vrs. Torqed properly, by the book..Not ounce have I heard of anyone in this thread install them correctly, most don't know how they were installed , just by whom. I can believe that 5% of the people don't know by just reading this thread. To be honest I haven't investigatd all the imformation that I could be on theis topic - I'm stuck on the commen sense thing still - please don't take this personal. I'm not affraid to learn, I just don't see the justification yet.

sorry for the long reply - again , nothing personal..( :

 

I agree. I think it's a vast overstatement, that 5% of ford's trucks have a spark plug problem. I know lots of people with F-150s and I know lots of mechanics, and they have never heard of this "spit spark plug" problem.

That sounds cool, but I think you're wasting your breath. This problem is not a safety concern(so you can forget that), and it is covered by your warranty. You had the option to buy an extended warranty (if you wanted it), and after the warranty is up- IT'S YOUR BABY! Ford guarantees that it won't break for the warranty period, after that, oh well. Fords have lots of other parts that break too... Have you forgotten the door cracking problem?? Myself, and three other people I know have that problem. Is Ford gonna fix it? NO. If it was still in warranty, they probably would.

It's just a machine.... They break sometimes......

I always tell people that I've never had a problem with my truck, but truthfully, I've put thousands of dollars of parts on it. (oil, oil filters, tie rod ends, alternator, busted cat, broke center console latch, transmission fluid and filter, wheel bearings, ripped passanger seat(ripped under Lariat), air filters, spark plugs, O/D switch cover, O2 sensors, tires, front tag mount, dash light bulbs(very irritating), vacuum leak , new brake rotors !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Turned rotors a million times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, brakes, screwed up rear drum brake (I wish I could put another mad face), windshield wipers, power door lock actuator(yet another mad face), battery, headlight bulbs, cargo bulbs, 3rd brake light bulb. There's a few problems with the truck right now that need fixing if I get the time.... (radio won't shut off, driver's side rear speaker doesn't work, stopped up window washer nozzle, A/C vacuum leak THAT I CAN'T FIND!!!!, brakes are crap, ripped gear shift boot, horn sounds like crap,
....... I gotta go... I'll finish the list later....

 

Hey how's it goin Chester, what gives ? when r u gonna finish lol . I'm surprised you haven't had more problems pulling that Deer round lol. That one there - just guessing gota be bout 35,000 lbs - that duel dolly offsets that quite a bit I bet - u should make a commercial lol - Ford tough!!

Also, Whats up with the front rotors? I have that problem too. Bought Ceramics then had em turned and they still end up vibrating on hard stops - guess I'm gona have to go with a good after market rotors or something.

 

Everything that has broke on my truck had nothing to do with what I do with it. (busted cat, broke center console, dash lightbulbs.. etc...) Just normal wear and tear.... The brake rotors warp after 500 miles, no matter what!

 

Have you tried any of the after market rotors, like yours I don't have the 4 wheel disc brakes like the 99's - drums suck!! (looking for a complete axle from a 99-03 at the salvage yard or on ebay with the same gearing 3/73's- hard to find) So just curious if u tried any of those.

 

You got that right! Those drums do suck!! But Yeah, I'm on my 2nd set of rotors. I changed them at 150,000 miles or so.... I have 170,000 miles on it now and they're warped again. These lasted about 5,000 miles until they started shaking.....

 

Had mine turned and added lifetime ceramic pads from Carquest(no dust) but that just created more heat - the rotors lasted 2000 miles if that!! Vibrating and shaking- freaking pi**** me off, Can't locate an axle so going to try one of the aftermarket brand- slotted most likley to displace some of that heat, hell, I don't think the drums work at all sometimes - I replace those as well , there showing some wear but not much - got rid of the energency brake, the cable weatherd, fraid , cracked and the rusted which compromised disengagement once applied.

 

Hey.....I wish I would have found this thread a while ago...I only read through the main one, but I noticed a ticking sound just like you said for a while, and just had my plug blow out yesterday. Hence my other post in the forum. Doesn't sound like Ford wants to help us out. They tell me to take it to a dealer for diag, but no promises they'll do anything.

mines an 02 w/ 49867 miles on it. I have a warranty inspector that I know with a few calls in to see if a dealership can help get it covered, but im not feeling too warm and fuzzy about that. I didnt read through this whole thread, but it looks like those inserts may be the way to go.......Im just pissed off and bumed out right now....I've only had the truck for 7 mo's, loved it up until now.