Hello everyone, new guy here, I've used a couple of those Dorman kits on a buddy of mines town car, but I've owned a few 4.6 and haven't had a spark plug issue with any of them. I recently bought a supercrew 4x4 w the 4.6, it's got 275 on it amd seems to run ok, but I'd really love to pull and change plugs. I already bought a set of coils. Anyone have any special tips they mind sharing with a guy who can't afford to be without his truck because of a plug problem? .Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. ..BTW ..I have read up on the subject and am familiar with the most common procedures, cool engine and etc. I just know there are some of you here thst have alot of experience with this issue. And thanks in advance guys. Hope to be of some help myself at some point!

 

If you have a 4.6, it's just a straight forward change. Torque them to 28 ft lbs, no antisieze on the threads. It's the 5.4 where you can have broken plugs during removal.

 

Thanks for the reply Jim, that eases my mind quite a bit. I was just afraid after trying to fix my buddies car. I appreciate it greatly!

 

ford tech here ive seen 3v plugs only last 11k ive seen them last over 100k all depends on the truck or car but, the best way ive found is to run a induction cleaner and remove the plugs hot(sucks *** but works) and use a butterfly style impact and they come out if that doesn't move them then I use a snap on 3/8 impact and make sure you don't let the extension wobble(really important). you wont break or damage the heads removing them hot with a impact, ive changed thousands of them and not one issue caused from the impact, so don't be nervous doing it

 

2001 SC 5.4: Need to change the spark plugs. I wanted to buy the Lisle tool and OTC spark plug socket, but they refer to 2004/later engines. Elsewhere on this forum I read the problems with the plugs breaking (Now Ford offering $$$'s) is not for the earlier engines, but 2004-2008. Do the plugs tend to break on a 2001??? I'm running Seafoam through 2 tanks of gas to get stated. Any help is appreciated!

 

Don't do Seafoam, you don't need it and it can clog the cats. You don't have the breaking plug problem, you have the spitting out the plug problem. Just change the plugs and torque them to 28 ft lbs with no antisieze on the threads.

 

Thanks. Is the splitting issue, where you need to use the Lisle extractor, only on the 2004-2008 5.4's, or all 5.4 3V engines? The OTC spark plug socket tool only fits 2004-2008 engines. Maybe those engines have different heads? I'm not afraid to try and remove the plugs, however, if they are prone to split/break similar to the 2004-2008, I get a little nervous!

 

Again, the plugs for your engine do not separate. It is only the 2004-early 2008 3v engines that separate. The heads were redesigned in early 2008 and use a one piece plug.

The 2001-2003 had a problem with ejecting the plug and stripping the threads as there were too few threads. Thus, the advise to torque to 28 ft lbs. The plug removal for your engine is just a normal plug removal process, no Lisle tool needed.

Additionally, even for the 2004-2008, it has been discovered that the most successful removal process is with an impact. Very few break and then the Lyle is there for those few. Just not a real problem in most cases.

 

Great! I'll change the plugs and report back,

 

Looks like my engine build date is late November 2007. I need to look at the color of the coil boots, but I MAY have gotten lucky and avoided the two piece plugs.

Boots are brown.

 

Irish the TBS info will be indispensable. Thx. I'm a Journeyman Heavy-duty mechanic in Alberta. I started at a new shop and got this engine swap project on an F150. Sweet Jesus it is all so small to work on, I have the 5.4 and am stepping into the used engine replacement in the a.m. I am a real Ford man you know. I would never be caught driving an import. I am 54 and had an import, a Nissan once. Dad died and I inherited it. Anyway thanks for the TBS.
Chris

 

Newbie here so I hope you'll be patient. I'm the original owner of my 2003 F150 Supercrew, 5.4, 108k. I've not had a reason to touch the plugs on this truck up to this point so I am way late to this "party" and just learning about the TSB and the broken plugs, etc. The engine is an "L" code engine which I am fairly certain is a 2v but I have folks telling me because of the Triton logos it is a 3v. Am I correct that this is a 2v? Is there any way to confirm?

Anyway, my main question is about this plug issue. Assuming this truck IS a 2v, can I expect an hour's work and a cold beer or should I book the weekend and an extractor kit? (FWIW, the problem I'm trying to fix is the shifting "thunk" under acceleration at highway speeds so figured I'd start with ignition before getting into the torque converter. . .)

Thanks!

 

A 2003 F-150 only has a 2 valve engine. The 3 valve didn't come till 2004 with the new body style. "Triton" refers to all 4.6 and 5.4 OHC modular V8's.

Hour or so work and a cold beer, do not use antiseize on the plug threads and torque them to 28 ft/lb to prevent loosening and blowout. Use only Motorcraft plugs, check the gaps. Use a small amount of dielectric grease in the coil boots, try not to get any on the springs and contacts.

With 108k your plugs are overdue.

 

Thank you GLC, and definitely guilty about the 108k but it seems my truck comes last in the family maintenance schedule! :-)