You know, I have read the thread concerning all those that have had a plug launch itself out of the head, and I have read the thread concerning all those that have not had that problem at all. It seems to me that there are engines out there that probably never will launch a plug and are extremely reliable engines. There are of course engines out there that are running good and will launch a plug before too long. If one reads the thread that tells all the doom and gloom of plugs trying to launch themselves to the moon, and that's all one would think about, you become paranoid about driving your truck anywhere, rolling to a stop, taking off from a stop, driving on the freeway, even just starting it in the morning to go to work. I'm just wondering what the ratio is with plugs blowing out vs no blowouts across the entire U.S. There are so many 5.4L engines out there with the 4 thread heads, it seems that the majority of the 5.4L engines would have no problems. But I could be wrong. We are supposed to enjoy driving our trucks, not worrying about the spark plugs and listening constantly for any kind of noise that is "off".
Did I make a mistake buying my 02 Screw with a 5.4L engine a few months ago? I don't know. Right now it runs fine, no "off" noises, almost 45,000 miles on the clock. I love the truck, I enjoy driving it, It just makes you wonder everytime any little petty-azz noise becomes apparent. All vehicles have weird noises from time to time, but now any noise I hear, I think......"What the hell was that?"
Do you guys understand what I'm trying to say here?
(sigh.......................)

 

yeah, i know what u mean man, i was worried about this too. But there are a thousand other things that can go wrong at any time. The great thing about this site and having the trucks from 97-03 is that pretty much all of the problems are known now and the fixes for them. So if something does go wrong it shouldnt be much of a problem to fix. I am loving my tuck and plan to drive it another 10 years at least- unless i need a 3/4 ton at some point.

Just keep drivin and having fun man.

Dan.

 

as long as there torqued to spec, i dout you will ever blow one out

 

I haven't had any plug problems with my 99 5.4. It did need head gaskets a couple of years ago, and while the heads were on the bench the plug torque was checked, It was ok, and since there was only 25,000 miles on it at the time, there was no need to change them.

 

i had my #3 plug blow. i drive about 30000 mile a year, i had no worning at all. i just drove 250 on the highway and was on a local road going about 45-50 and it blew.....sounded like a gun shot. used the repair kit all is fine now.

 

I too have been paranoid about this problem. Never had any problems with the truck in 70,000 miles (knock on wood). BUT, just so that I have peace of mind, I pull the coils off the plugs and check the torque on them about every 15,000 miles. It makes me feel better, and it only takes a few minutes to do it.

Wife thinks I'm crazy, but like I said, it's peace of mind for me.

 

80,000 miles. No problem. I'm sure that the incidence of blow out is statistically quite tiny. That's probably no consolation to those who are a statistic. Routine checking will help your peace of mind. Madenterprises Coil Pack Screws make the job easy.

 

Heh, heh: that's what I would've posted at 80,000 miles, too. My first one blew at 82,000.

Don't be paranoid, but it's good advice to check your plugs WELL BEFORE the 100,000 mile point (as the Ford owner's manual and service schedule suggests for plug replacement). There's still no TSB issued by Ford on this problem.... The only technical guidance you'll find on the issue is what you read on this bulletin board. Nice, heh? Been like that for a few years, too...

At least current owners who read this site have the benefit of being forewarded about the possibility of the plugs blowing (unlike those of us who were effected in the early days before anyone was really aware of the problem).

You guys also have the benefit of knowing a heli-coil is NOT a competent repair for the problem (and should opt for the Time-Sert instead), even though many Ford service departments are still using heli-coils (which probably explained why my #3 plug blew a 2nd time at 100,000 miles, although when it blew a 2nd time, it took out not only the (4) aluminum threads, but left a 6" circular hole in the aluminum cylinder head where the plug bore used to be.... This was well beyond what a BigSert could repair...)

FWIW, my plugs were never touched by anyone before they first blew, and they left the factory as torqued by Ford employees on the assembly line.

Chris