Hello all,

looking for some opinions here, I have an 04 FX4 Supercab, with 50K miles. I'm reading horror stories about issues when it comes to changing the plugs, they are snapping off in the block, the longer you wait, the worse it can be.

Thinking of having the dealer do it within a couple of months....thoughts? Is this as big an issue as it seems, or maybe like one in 20 or so trucks has the issue, and people post it here.

Don't want to sound paranoid, but I spent 33k for my truck and want it to last, and plugs snapping off in the head doesn't sit well with me.

Thoughts/suggestions?

thanks.

Sharky21

 

I don't think it is that big of an issue. That is if you warm the block up before trying to remove them. I haven't heard of that many issues and even posted a poll on Fordf150.net to see how many people had an issue with it. It ended up to be only one person though I have heard of more. When it comes time to change my plugs I will be sure to tell them about the issue and make sure they agree to my terms in writing before doing the job and also follow Fords guidelines as they have put out a note for this to their service shops.

 

yes I am going to the dealer tomorrow for oil change/tranny service.

Honestly, I can't imagine this happening to every 04/05 F150 out there, I see too many of them driving around here in CT, especially FX4's and Lariat's, so I know they have the 5.4 3V engine. I couldnt imagine all of them having plugs break off in the block when it comes time to change them.

Yep, I will talk to them tomorrow about the TSB, they should loosen the plugs when the engine is warm, spray oil or something around the base of the plug and wait a while, then SLOWLY turn each plug 1/4 turn and remove, then put Nickel grease on new plugs correct?

my concern is if one snaps off in the head, why should I pay? Especially if I change before the 100K mark?

thanks.

 

The breaking plug has happened to a few on here. It is a big enough issue that there was a TSB issued telling how to do the removal and providing a special tool to fish out pieces. The service rep at my dealer said it would be their problem if any broke. If your dealer will agree to that, I would let them do it. I plan on waiting till close to 100,000 and letting my dealer replace them. That was what the service rep reccommended Do a search on the subject and you will find threads where some guys have had a problem, some didn't.

 

In talking with the dealer...they informed me that the dealership will not perform a spark plug change until "its time"...at 100k miles, and not one mile sooner.

I guess for us "low miles" guys, (just over 15k and I bought it new May 2005) I might have to sell at 90k miles...since the warranty will be long gone by then.

 

Don't let the horror stories scare you. There have been far more people that haven't had a single issue with a plug change and I'm one of them.

 

For what I have heard here, the problem has been fixed in the 5.4 3v engines, since the 2004 models came up, I wouldn't worry about that as long as you have the maintenece done as recommended.

 

How big a job is it for the owner to pull these plugs and apply anti-seize compound.???????

 

Carquest has the socket for 04's and up -

 

Had my plugs changed yesterday, 72k on them....the dealer followed the tsb. and had no problems...they did recommend me bringing it in at 30-35k and having the plugs cleaned, just to make sure(just to make money) I think I'll take their advise...

 

Well,

I asked the service technician if he knew of any plugs in 04 F150's breaking in half when attempted to be changed..he said he knew of none, suprise suprise, said I shouldnt worry about it until 100k miles, almost seemed reluctant to try and change them any sooner.

I love my truck and quite frankly cant afford another one and want to make this one last. I'm up to 50k miles, and it runs great, changed tranny fluid 2x already, did oil changes as recommended, fuel filters 2x, air filter 2x.

Thoughts????????????????????

-Sharky21

 

Nike says just do it, so do I.

 

There is another way of looking at this.
Is it worth worrying about the plugs over the entire time you drive the truck?

I say no. Have 'em changed and be done with it. The possibility of something going wrong is very minimal, and the peace of mind is worth it.

There is another issue concerning these plugs. Many trucks had the wrong plugs installed at the factory. Something about a heat rating or something such as that. The plugs have caused some pinging and other problems.

I took my 2004 to my dealer, after having resolved to change the plugs myself, about a knocking/pinging issue. Turns out, the wrong plugs had been installed. The dealer changed out the plugs with no problems, and since I had only 28,000 miles on it, at no cost to me. I made out rather well on the deal.

I realize you no longer carry the factory warranty, and that is a bit more problematic. However, I let the plug thing worry me for too long.

Like the last poster said, just do it. If it can be determined that your truck had the wrong plugs installed, perhaps you have some bargaining power there.

 

Where would one go to get the plug removal tool? If its available to the public.

 

I can tell you of a bad "better idea" from Ford. My pickup as mentioned is a 2004 Lariat 4X4 super crew with 65000. miles. The idle was getting rough at times so I decided, along with my professional mechanic friend, to change the spark plugs. He got Ford OEM plugs and a speciality spark plug tool from Snap On. I drove to his shop, pulled right in and went to work. The 4 on the driver side came out squealing but all together. Lubed the threads and put those back in, roughly 1 hour.

Now the bad part. Started on the passenger side, first one came out as the others had..The next one-- the outer thread unscrewed from the head and broke from the spark plug. These plugs, Factory Ford plugs are stainless steel body that goes into head. The plug itself seizes and twist, break loose from plug leaving part of spark plug stuck in the aluminum head.

All of these plugs unscrewed as they should have. No thread problems just stuck broke plugs...

Any suggestions other than R&R head ?

Will get the speciality tool from Ford tomorrow and try that.

Wow what a major bummer !

KTC