I absolutely agree that it's the dealer in this case. They're probably using an impact gun to get them out. However, this is an issue for everyone. Not all shops out there (to include aftermarket/non-dealer) will exercise the care dictated in the TSB. As such, with such a fragile design people are inevitably going to run into issues of broken plugs and collateral damage, the costs of which will be shifted to the consumer.

 

Exactly, it's just not the owners of these engines that are having and going to have issues with these engines when changing plugs. Think about all of the shops out there that are going to attempt to change these plugs and have no idea about this problem until it is too late. Who should pay then, it's not the shops fault and not the owners fault. If all of this is as bad as it seems here on this site and the two dealers that I have spoken to then there are going to be big issues when more of these hit the 100k recommended change interval. On average most people only drive about 12-15k per year at that rate it will be 2010 when **** really hits the fan on this. Ford has basically admitted that it has a poor design, they had to come out with a special tool and removal instructions and now a redesigned head just 3 years into a product cycle. I mean hell it shouldn't be this damn difficult, spark plugs have been around since the first combustion engine. Any average joe should be able to do a plug change without a problem.

It's sad that Ford is going to loose some customers because of something so simple as a spark plug. I love Ford trucks but I've had so many issues other than the plugs, so far, that I might not buy another Ford truck. Cause this one is going to stick in my head so much and it's not cause of fluke problems, Everyone of them I can go on here and find several other others with the same. I'm just an unlucky SOB that ended up with a truck that has a lot of them rolled up into one. Don't get me wrong I love my truck when it's not in the shop of some BS reason. I know it can happen with any manufacture but this time it happened to me and my Ford. For now I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and hope nothing else go wrong cause I will have this thing paid off this year and do not want to increase my loan buy purchasing another truck.

 

I've never liked champion plugs. Someone will have to try them but personally I wouldnt put a champion plug in my lawnmower..

 

And until we file enough complaints with the NHTSA about this issue, Ford is going to continue to bury their heads in the sand and act like nothing is wrong.

 

And until we file enough complaints with the NHTSA about this issue, Ford is going to continue to bury their heads in the sand and act like nothing is wrong.

 

It will never get to NHTSA. It is not a safety issue. FWIW, a lot of the better shops already know about the plug issues both the spitters and the stickers.

JMC

 

So I've got 8k on my truck. Do I just pull(per TSB of course), add anti sieze and replace?

 

I can only speak for what I would do in this situation.

I personally, would pull the plugs and antisieze them annually. (if you chose not to use the new design) I know it sounds like over kill. Trust me, if the problem was not present, or even the risk present, I would go to the advised 100K miles. I just see pulling them yearly as a preventive measure. That is just my opinion. Many others will call me crazy (and I don't disagree, LOL) but, I see it as, I am paying 35k plus for my new FORD. Shouldn't I stay on top of the monkey before the monkey gets on my back? I may have waisted 3-4 hours checking my engine over each year, a few dollars of antisieze over the years, but, what I would have in return is a WELL maintained engine and (hopefully) say years down the road that my new truck is in the 200k mile club.

With this new design out, I don't see why not to try the champion or brisk plug. Even if you do have to change them out every 20k miles. (we did it in the old days) If you add in the cost of the plugs over the years compared to the 1 time bill (if you are working with a stealer) of 3-4k $, you will have money left for gas, and, still be proud of your ford.

OBVIOUSLY, FORD is waiting on everyone to hit the 100k mile mark to do anything about it. So, I give kudos to the companies that are stepping up to the plate and batting for those of us that love our trucks and maintain them in order to keep them on the road instead of in the bay at the local stealer.

Yea, call it hangin parts on, but, ill hang parts on for a few hours on the weekend to keep from hangin my visa card on the dealer's bulletin board!
(damn I'm windy, sorry!)

 

Yeah me too. I think it was the chili from Tuesday! :o

 

I thought I heard something!

LMFAO!

 

06 and later have anti-sieze from the factory. Wait till 25K, pull them and inspect.

 

We'll see how bored I get this weekend. Unless I fall with the ratchet on the plug, what can I hurt by checking. Thanks for the info.

 

What a pain - it's no trivial job pulling the COP's and plugs and putting everything back together with antiseize and dielectric grease. This is just a bad design. I used to cuss at big blocks in small cars back in the old days where some plugs had to be gotten at through the fenderwell, I'll take this any time compared to what we are looking at here. My old V-6 is looking better and better for the long haul..........

 

tHE Spark Plugs and Coil paks are covered under the 8 Year 80K miles emission warranty. Everyone please read your warranty booklet carefully.

 

Looking at my 2005 MY Warranty Guide as we speak...

Page 17 - DEFECTS WARRANTY is for 3 years or 50,000 miles (whichever first occurs)... Page 19 is a list of the items covered under the DEFECTS WARRANTY, which include COP's and spark plugs...

For items that are covered for 7/70,000, it says to see page 20... Page 20 has absolutely no mention of COP's or plugs.

If there was any hint of truth to your claim of 8/80,000 warranty on plugs, I'm sure we'd be all over that!