Well, the dealer successfully changed my plugs and boots. Had a little difficulty with two, did some extra soaking and they came out just fine. The plugs actually looked like new on the tips at 65,500 miles. I will try to get a picture tomorrow night. The mechanic said that they would have been fine to 100,000. I am much relieved! They have broken a plug on only one so far, it had 95,000 miles showing and spent a lot of time idleing. It's an oil field service truck.

 

Congrats good to hear, i was crossing fingers for you. Did the boots need replacement or did you just get them changed to be on the save side?

 

Congrads! What type of plug did they replace with & did they use antiseize on them?..............

 

I didn't look at my boots. They get heat and dirt around them, I just did it to be on the safe side. Didn't want any engine problems down thw road and knew it would be a long time before they were touched again(hopefully!).

 

They went back with the I step cooler Motorcraft. They only charged me $10 per plug. I tried to find the Champions but none locally yet. But, after the way it turned out, I'm glad I went back with the Motorcraft. Yes, they put anti-seize on the shank. I really think a big factor is running tier one gas and lots of highway miles.

 

Nice one Bluejay! By the way what octane gas do you run and what brand?
I have 61,000 kilometers on mine and im thinking of having mine done in the spring (next month or so) at the dealer.

 

I use Shell, Texaco, Chevron, or Conoco as these are in my area. Used to use Exxon till I saw I didn't get as good a mileage with it and itisn't on this list.

Here is a post from another thread with a link on top tier gas:

Whenever it is possible, use a Top Tier Detergent Gasoline

QuikTrip
Chevron
Conoco
Phillips
76
Shell
Entec Stations
MFA Oil Company
Kwik Trip/Kwik Star
The Somerset Refinery, Inc.
Chevron-Canada
Aloha Petroleum
Tri-Par Oil Company
Shell-Canada
Texaco
Petro-Canada
Sunoco-Canada

http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html

 

Its good to read a couple of positive posts on this darn plug thing. I have such a hard time to figure if i should touch those things or leave them alone. Dealer is not an option, but i only have 33000mls on it right now and it had shell premium since day one, so maybe chances are good. Does anybody know anything about www.brokensparkplugs.com? Was thinking it´s a joke first. Does anybody know if it is a reliable investment? I guess before suggesting anything to others on this board we should check how much the info might be worth. $$$

 

I wish someone would buy it so we would know what it is! I have seen a tool that can be bought for less than the Ford tool, it was made by a machine shop and look very good.

I would not start the project myself without a well built removal tool, a can of Kroil, the spark plug socket and some extentions and a shop vac. Oh, and another set of plugs! It really pains me that these plugs that cause so much anxiety cost so much!

 

I bet it's something like a spacer and a big self-taping screw!

 

yep, you're probably right. Here is where I saw the tool, post #153.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/56...estion-11.html

 

Just had my plugs changed.......110,00km. Had the dealer do the work and lucky too. One plug separted but they had that fancy tool you link to. Thank God, cause I would be screwed if I did it in the driveway.

 

If it is carbon buildup on the plugs why don't you try seafoaming the shi^t out of it just before you attempt to change them?

 

Firstly, I'v heard conflicting info on whether the seafoam will get to the area where the carbon is on the plugs, secomndly, I'm not too keen on running that stuff thru my engine.

 

Hey, that's my line. I have always been a firm believer of that. My first plug change at 2x,xxx miles (TSB) was the same, and the 8 old plugs looked brand new right from the heads.