5.4L 3V plugs!!!
 

Ok,

I have 66K miles on my 06 Lariat.When is the suggested time to swap the plugs, not Ford's recommended time but the real life guys who drive these trucks. Now from what I hear this is a nightmare to do because of a crappy plaug design by Ford. I know there are plenty of threads here talking about it but are there any new ideas, tools or suggestions on a better way to change the plugs and limiting the chance of breaking one off? And if I take it to Ford for them to change and one breaks are you still screwed on having to pay them to pull the head?:confused:

I just pulled mine out of my '06 about a month ago with 30k miles. I was hoping it reduced my chances of breaking plugs and luckily it worked. I swapped them out for some Brisk plugs that are 1 piece and the truck has been running great. There is a Rotunda tool and a Snap-On tool out now that can be tried first rather than pulling the heads if a plug breaks. Sounds like they've been pretty successful. So I would suggest getting them out asap and if none of them break, its a pretty easy swap. If you do it yourself, I'd recommend following TSB 08-01-09. Also, as a note I used AeroKroil (from the old TSB) rather than the Motorcraft carb cleaner.

Mine just went in the shop with 64k miles on it and I had 3 break off in there. So I am awaiting notification whether the rotunda tool works or not. But I am looking at $1400 labor to pull the heads. :(

The Rotunda tool works, just cross your fingers and hope your mechanic knows what to do with it!:D

What kind of gas do you use/have used in the truck? I am curious

So what is the deal with this? I vaguely have heard about this problem with the sparkplugs before. Is it just the actual sparkplugs that ford uses? Or some design flaw? If so I am gonna go ahead and pull mine and replace them. I have an '05 with 34k on it currently.

Im getting close to 30K on my 06 and Ive been thinking I should swap plugs...

My dealer changed my plugs just 2 weeks ago and broke 3 plugs.

F150FXonline,

what was your mileage? Cost for plug change?

changed my 05 with 69000 on it about 1 1/2 ago. broke 5 out of 8. the rotunda tool is 300 bucks. made my own with threaded rod and nuts/washers and a couple sockets. worked great. Still could of filled a 300 page book with all the swear words I used that day.

40K, I was having some other work done a LONG story. To change my plugs only cost me $197.00 so I couldnt pass it up. If I get a chance Ill take some pics of the plugs and post pics of them. I had them save them for me.

I had over 65,000, they had some carbon but it all dissolved and they came out fine.

f150fxonline,

That is by far the cheapest "broken" plug change yet. :beers:

LOL, very true but had over $1,000 in other work done to my truck is why I got that cost. Again long story but I bought an extendad warranty for my truck that covered everything but the plug change which I had to pay.

you ??... I just got a 2000 F150 5.4L with 209k miles on it no idea when the last time the plugs was changed that coils was changed at one point they are all Motorcraft. I asked the 1st owner he said he has no idea about 3 years ago :eek: i have no idea what I am looking at for cost yet..
Think God my brother in-law works on cars/trucks at his Job :thumbsup:

he said he would help me.. :beers:

Thanks
Morris