About 2 years ago, I (er my wife actually) blew the #1 plug (don't ask me why or how, it just happened) which is why and how I found this site. Being ignorant to the problem at the time, I just popped a new plug in and replaced the broken coil pack and off we went. almost two years later, she fires it up in the driveway (this is after the blower, tune, exhuast and so forth) and I hear what sounds like an AK47 going off in my driveway on full auto. Instantly, the thought comes to mind (Nam) no not really nam, just the GD plug has fired out again. SUre enough, back out it came. I considered three options. 1) new PI heads, at a cost of around $2000. (figure 22 hours @ $70hr plus heads) 2) JB weld that sunvabiatch in there and know it aint coming out again 3) Try the plug cert kit.

After about 3 hours consideration, I bought the plug cert for $38. ( I don't have 2 grand to blow on heads right now) and the thought that I may need to change the damn plugs again led to this decision. Well, 500 miles later its still in there. Although, I have never done anything like that and man, seeing all that metal on the tap made me really nervous. Anyone else using these?

 

98

I blew #3 at 92K on my 97 5.4L F150. I did the same as you and just stck it back in. It blew again shortly after that so I put a helio-coil kit in at that point. I have since changed the plugs one time (at 200K) and the truck has 216K on the odometer. It runs smooth as silk, and no issues.

 

My husband has replaced his plugs three or four times now. The mechanic did the $2,000 repair. He is driving down Interstate 5 in central california and out it comes again. $750 worth of tow charges (he had three dogs with him so needed to get home) we are still at odds as to what to do. His is a 2002 F150 Super Crew 4X4. Any suggestions as to how to keep this from happening? Is there any kind of recall or waranty with FORD?

 

Well the sad thing is that there are a whole lot of people with blown spark plugs and FORD does know about it, but because of the millions of dollars it would take to fix this problem, they figure it's cheaper to fight it in the courts.

Because of the plug blow out problem, I decided on a Chevy Suburban (2 months ago) instead of an Excursion or Expedition as we were in need of the 3rd row seating. I dont trust these Ford Engines ! My 1997 F150 5.4L now has 111,000 miles on it and I'm afraid to replace the plugs. I'm gonna drive this truck a little longer (maybe a year) and then I'm gonna sell it off.

 

Has the plug blow out problem been addressed in the newer 5.4 engines. I was always worried about my 2001 s'crew on long trips. I hope that's all behind me now

 

If its the same one the mechanic replaced for 2 grand, I'd be right back in his face. If its a different one, either 1,2,5, or 6 then it's a relatively easy plug cert fix. 3,4,7 and 8 are a lot more difficult to reach.

And, noteably, FORD won't fix chit thats broken. Ihave a 2005 aviator with problems of its own that they can't fix and refuse to try anymore. Azzholes.

 

Well I am sure on the s/charged Lightnings the later engines had an uprated head design, improved thread arrangement to prevent plug blow out.
This was rolled out along the Trition engine range.

Check out the Lightning forum and search for plug blow out it may help with a fast fix and any warrenty issues.

 

Nearly two years ago my '99 Expy blew a spark plug. The options were $3800 at the local garage, $50 for a heli-coil, or $450 for a Time-Sert.

I went for the Time-Sert and am happy to say that I'm still driving on it. People need to know that they have an option.

 

do the 4.6 blow plugs or is it just the 5.4

 

Both

 

Let me say that any engine is capable of blowing a plug, It's all 5.4L and the 4.6L that are eqipped with the windsor style heads that are notorious for it(all 5.4L's have windsor heads). The windsor heads only have 3 threads holding in the spark plugs. I know my luck and i know it will happen to me eventually.....i'll replace my heads with romeo heads.

 

how do i tell what heads i have

 

it will saw on the drivers side valve cover if it is a windsor or romeo head

 

both will do it but it seems more common with the 5.4 than anything... kinda weird since the compression is higher on a 4.6 than a 5.4 now the new 5.4 is a 9.8:1 while they lowered compression inthe 4.6 to 9.4:1 frm 9.5:1 not sure why but it makes more power now.

 

You can count the valve cover bolts. The Romeo has eleven and the Windsor has thirteen.