Last night, on a 10 hour trip home from Tennessee, after 9 1/2 hours of that trip, my 01 4.6 launched the #3 spark plug. The COP was in 2 pieces, and the spark plug was launched from the hole. There is no sign of damage to the spark plug. I know there have been posts to this before, but I can't locate them on here. Could this be caused by NOT tightening the plug enough? The spark plug fit right back in, so I don't think it is a thread issue. I already replaced the COP. It is still running very sluggish, and I am sure I have to replace the spark plug. Any other suggestions?

 

if the threads were ok, just replace the plug, you go t lucky, it could have cracked the plug on the inside.

 

You're not kidding about lucky. 20 minutes from my house is when it happened, not 2 states away. I'll get that plug changed out in a bit. Thanks.

 

Replace that plug.
I had a Miss once plug was cracked look like a hair had gotten on the plug went to wipe it off but it didn't move

 

Thank you guys. I was planning on replacing it, but wanted to make sure that is what it sounded like. Always better to have more advice. Especially when it is not something that will hurt my wallet.

 

Why replace the plug if there's no damage to it???? What's the logic?? IF there's damage, the damage is to the threads in the hole.

My first time the plug blew, the plug screwed right back in and I ran the same plug for another 10 months, X thousand miles before it blew again. It blew again because it damaged the threads in the hole (not the plug) the first time. There was nothing at fault with the plug. Buying/installing a new spark plug is not going to fix the problem if the threads in the head are messed up. Which component do you think is stronger...the spark plug or the soft aluminum spark plug hole????

Adam, I don't see how on earth you couldn't find anything from a search?? Here's the term you need to search for and you'll be reading until Christmas....2008!!!!

Time-Sert

Read all you can on this cause this is in your future.

 

You cant see if there is a crack up inside the plug, maybe he overlooked a hairline crack? Its not like its expensive, and why would it miss if he put a new cop on it?

 

If the truck is still running rough he probably needs a new plug maybe its just me I vote plug

 

Oh, don't get me wrong guys...obviously a new plug doesn't hurt a thing. My point was simply not to have any grand dillusions that this problem is plugs fault (the blowing out part, not the running rought part), or that a new plug is gonna fix this right up and never happen again.

...I also missed the part about still running sluggish after re-installing the plug. Sorry guys, my bad!

I still recommend keeping an eye on her. There is a tell-tale sign of a bad plug hole. The bore that goes down to the spark plug should be fairly clean and an aluminum color. Seems to be a trend on trucks with impending blown plugs that the bore will be very corroded looking and the boot on the COP will be baked and kinda brittle, hard feeling. Just some tips to look out for, and I'd still do some research on the Time-Sert to fix it right if it does happen...Remember, mine "screwed right back in" also

 

Good Greif!

Sounds like your truck tells you when it is time for new stuff like mine does. SPLAT! Gimme a new one. LMAO New plugs and wires and I'll bet in 60-100k miles it will spit another at ya! LMAO


It's OK GALAXY. We know you normally disagree with everyone.

Have a good one!

 

Galaxy doesn't disagree with everyone - He's just being objective..

 

advocate

 

Roger that!! MY BAD!

 

HEY! that rhymes with constipate.. I'm just sayin....

 

im a bit suprised by a couple things. a 4.6 blowing a plug, havent seen much of that on here mostly the 5.4's that are 03+. not to mention COP's on a 01 i thought that didnt come out til after 03 as well. im likely completely wrong as i just woke up

did your truck idle kinda rough before the blowout? if so may have been the IAC and now is a combo of the plug and IAC or something.