Yeah, if/when the Loctite wicks into the area between the cylinder head and the metal insert, then you really be screwed. I read on the dealer message boards about some dude who was using this crazy *** kit, it didn't work the first time so he tried again, finally got the porcelain out but now the metal insert was Loctited to the cylinder head.

Better ideas from Ford, indeed. I think I'll stick to my method.

 

Just read this on another site. Not sure what I would do if it happened to me. Other than sit down and cry!

"I changed my plugs last night in my 2004 f150 5.4L and when i Got to the drivers side rear plug I took the coil off which was filled with oil and the spark plug was backed about half way out. When I unscrewed the plug ( it was only hand tight) The plug is missing half the bottom just under the electrode and about a 1/8 inch piece of the side, Here is my question .. I am not a lucky person but what is the chance of that piece actually going out the exhaust and not into the cylinder.. The truck runs good now with no performance problems.. Anybody else find this or heard of it.. I was thinking on just running the truck untill it does as it seems to have no ill effects right now and I am sure that if it is damaged the damege is already done!"

 

The loctite will not hold up to the sleeve removal tool. We tested that too just to be sure.

Which would be....?

 

Which warranty covers the plugs? the basic 3 year 60000km or the other? I have 61446km on mine....should I be getting them looked at?

 

Disconnect the injector for the cylinder in question, jam a rag over the plug well and wedge it in with a screwdriver or something, and run the engine at 1500 rpm or so until the compression pressure blows the porcelain out.

 

Quintin,

How many times have you tried to blow the plug out with the compression? Success rate?

Bubba

 

That sounds like fun....As long as I dont have to do it on my rig.

 

Admittedly, I've only had to use that method once. But it worked like a champ. Took about an hour's worth of running the engine. Ran it for 15-20 minutes, stopped, looked, more carb cleaner, run it for another 15-20 minutes, lather-rinse-repeat.

 

I'll have to keep that in mind the next time...The new tool worked really well for pulling the porcelain out, it really didn't take that long other than letting the Loctite cure overnight, they pulled right out as advertised......

@Bubba...the truck I am working on has 34k on it...pretty sad....

 

Quintin,

how do you know when the electrode shield pops loose? Does it shoot out of the engine bay?

 

The electrode shield doesn't pop out, I run them to get the porcelain out when it breaks off flush with the electrode shield. I still use the old tool with the tap and extractor thingy to get the shield out. And yeah, you'll definitely know when the porcelain is out, it'll go "POP!" and the engine will get louder, just like when a plug comes out of an older 4.6/5.4L.

 

Pics of the new 3V head and plug design:







New Mustang "AB level" engine code. Feb. 25/08 build date.

 

It's about f%$#&^% time!

 

Does that head fit on the 5.4L? How much for a head job? Geez, sound like I'm talking to a hooker......

 

I'd be willing to bet they all interchange but I'm out of the loop on those details now so I can't say with 100% certainty.

Don't know how much the new ones would retail for.