Wow, really getting some feedback. I really am impressed with the opinions. I purchased my 2001 about 2 weeks ago and in the process of doing the plugs ended up with the no. 6 being stripped. Talk about a bummer. I've never done that before and I've been doing my own work for about 32 years. I got it repaired for $130. What a relief. They said it was probable screwed up before I did the plugs.
Anyways, I've been leaning towards replacing them (the bosch) for no other reason than the negatives I've heard. I haven't put any miles on it yet to really say if they seem fine or not. I'm waiting to transfer the insurance to this truck. Gotta sell the other one first. Seems that it would take a little time to really tell anyways.
The thing is the plug hole that was repaired. I really don't want to mess with it. Everything says "leave it the hell alone". Then my obsessive compulsive behavior says, go on- just do it.
Keep the input going. I'm not doing a damn thing yet!
bullseye670....................
Yea, I know, if it ain't broke don't fix it!!

 

NM.

 

If your satisfied with your vehicle running at LESS than full potential then leave it be , don't care. Most of the masses you read from here about this issue has been personaly tested thru trial and error - not just thought up. This is very helpful forum if your not afraid to learn. Keeping them "poo-poo" plugs in your truck is up to you. Blowing sunshine up everyones poo-poo maker about how good they are will not work, most of us know they STINK

 

Jbrew, Ok... How do you think over 100,000 miles of use is "just thought up"??? I didn't just pull that figure out of my *** you know.... I have driven a few miles with these POS plugs on board....

From what I hear about 'everyones' other problems with every other make of plug out there, (that I have never had), I guess I'm just lucky....

I was just stating MY EXPERIENCE with these stupid spark plugs.... Geeze, it's not like there is only one single plug in the world that works and everyone has to use it....

You have no FREAKING idea how my truck ran with the POS Motorcrafts in it at only 65,000 miles on them compared to how it's running now on 100,000 POS Bosch + 4's...

"Full potential" to me is being able to still pull my #5000 TT anywhere I want to with ZERO worry about anything happening to the truck... This is with over 165,000 miles on the thing too....

This site is made up of thousands of anonymous people that either BS their way thru these posts or actually have something honest to say... Think whatever you want to about me, but I'm either a pretty good BS'er for being around for this freaking long on here or maybe I'm someone that has had just a little bit of experience and miles under my belt with a product and can HONESTLY say, "I've not any any issue with the Bosch + 4 plugs". That's it... That was my only statement about these POS plugs....

I've also been around here long enough to figure out that you don't always have to go with what 'everyone' says is the way to go and STILL have success... Follow along all you like... It's like you said... .

I'm not afraid to learn.... I was just saying what EXPERIENCE I had with a certain product and the original poster has to decide what's best for them...

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble and I've had my rebuttal!

Mitch

 

Mitch, first the "thought up" remark was referring to others testimonials about there problems with Bosch plugs. I wasn't convinced with your post crediting that many miles fired by a set of these plugs. I get a little heated about the subject. When I attempted the use of these plugs and them failing put me a freaking perdiciment that isn't important now. I didn't do most of the maintenance on my vehicle - let the dealership handle the majority. I can wrench , just would rather be doing something else. Well, in 2000 after my truck was serviced they didn't replace the oil in the truck and of course I didn't get far before it went south. They replaced everything and then some, but I haven't let anyone touch it since. So back to wrenching for me and Bosch was my first plug change on this motor - so you can imagine how long it took and end result - truck wouldn't stay running!! - Put my old plugs back in it had to stay up all night doing it - there's more to it , but you get the idea. When reading your post, it kind of set me off, so I hope you can see that it was nothing personal against you, just those frickin plugs!!

 

I guess I should also say that when my Bosch's were on their way to becoming glow-plugs, I was blowing up COP's left and right. After I went back to Motorcrap, that stopped. Just blowing the normal 1 a year now.

Damn COP

 

Jbrew,

I can appreciate all that you went thru.... I guess I got a little hot about it too, being on the other side of the fence....

I figure it's "buyer beware" for just about any product out there.. No guarantee about any of them. Some come out of the factory just fine, others come out like a ticking time bomb..

I run a K&N filter that gets bashed all to heck on this and other boards... I own a Fleetwood travel trailer that gets bashed in the same manner...

Since I'm in the minority of having success with these otherwise POS products, I get a lot of heat when I post about it.. Not BS'ing a bit about it either!

Anyway, It must be entertaining, as that's what keeps me coming back for more abuse from you guys!!

Mitch

 

I run a K&N too. But they do come over-oiled from the factory. If you clean it straight out of the box and re-oil correctly, you won't have a problem.

 

Blowing COP's ? Hey did the plugs get superheated and rainbowed ?

The Bosch's never made it to that stage in my truck - But this spring I bought a set of AutoLites at Carquest. Now these are suppose to be identical to Motorcrafts (same manufacturer) - Figured I was safe. I installed , fired it up - sounded great!! Got half way to work and I thought my truck was going to hack a freakin hairball it coughed so much - blinking yellow lights all the rest of the way there and I got tone on way home - freakin solid yellow, on Autolites!! I pulled them out and AGAIN, had to installed my old Motorcrafts.
Burned for over a $100 on plugs so far.

 

LOL - K&N here aswell -

Your not in the minority now Mitch

 

I've used a K&N on my 02 supercrew for 2 years. I've never had any troubles. I've used them on most my vehicles for the last 10 years and never experienced any ill effects. (2000 escort, and 98 mustang gt, 95 f-150, 99 f-150).

 

The thing that happens usually is over oiling, if your not use to it , you double up on your MAF maintence as well - It's a hassle , I going back in the box with a volent cold air eventually - I don't like it out in the open all the time. I didn't even notice a power improvement - not like I did when I went from a stock muffler to flowmaster series 50 -(non SUV model). I'm not sure how much power it gave me - at least a couple more ponies , sounds pretty good too..

 

Hey guys - I have ran the bosch plugs in my 2003 5.4 for 85000 miles (1st set changed from stock at 90000). No problems and truck runs great. Putting second set of Bosch in tomorrow.

Dale

 

One comment on the use of BOSCH plugs, I would not reccomend the +2 or +4 or any other multi electrode types for truck use. In a car ok but not in a truck.
Reason: a truck engine is under more load from it's weight and towing/ loading.
The extra ground electrodes invite a problem with heat causeing pre-ignition or detonation if there is to much ignition timing under load, the A/F ratio is lean etc.
Race cars doin't even use these types except those who don't know any better.
For better overall performance over time, change the plugs more often and use the lower cost types to get the best of lower costs and performance.
BOSCH #6241 work well in a 4.6.
Pay attention to installation. If a boot jambs off to the side instead of slipping onto the plug tip, it's not the plugs fault. Are the boots in good condition, end not enlarged, hard, cracked, split or have pin holes etc?
These things can and often 'do' a coil in. Again it's not the plugs fault no matter what brand is used.

 

FWIW I did take out the plus 4's and put in the motorcraft a few months back. Auto Zone even refunded my money!
Trucks been doing fine. Nice to have everthing working A-OK.