I'm glad at least you have some codes now! XD When you let it coast down, it set the baseline for the pcm to diagnose missfire codes you got.

Did you wash (or otherwise wet) the engine recently?

 

No, I didn't wash the engine or get it wet since the plug change. I washed it about a week prior to the change.

I just finished pulling plug 2 and it looked fine and was gapped correctly. I applied grease to all plugs but the 2 under the computer. I figured I would do those tomorrow.

The engine still runs pretty rough but the CEL has not come back on since I had the codes errased.

 

After MUCH trouble I finally figured out what is going on. I pulled plugs 2 and 4 once again and noticed something different this time. Plug 2 looked okay, again. But, plug 4 looked very strange. At first I thought the electrode was pushed up into the porcelain but then I realized the porcelain was BROKEN and was sliding up and down in the tip. I double checked number 2 and it was exactly the same. No wonder number 2 LOOKED just fine before and explains why the misfire seemed random. This would also explain the P0300 code. I am going to call rockauto tomorrow and see if they can take care of me. I plan to ditch the champion plugs and install the motorcraft plugs.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

 

You are not the first to yank the Champions. You will be happy with the Motorcrafts.

 

OK, I see several people referencing going back with Motorcraft plugs. Has Motorcraft come out with a 1-piece plug for our trucks now? If so, I need the part number. I have 8 Champion 1-piece plugs sitting in my garage waiting for install. So if there's a better option, I want to know it.

thanks

 

No, the Motorcraft plugs are the same stupid design.

 

Thanks for the info. So is there any other option for a 1-piece plug besides the Champion? I only have 62K on my motor. I originally posted this link (episode 26) http://www.flatratetech.com/index.php?categoryid=4
a few days ago. I'm wondering if people are having trouble with their new 1-piece Champion spark plugs b/c they are not installing them correctly....peeps should be installing new plugs with Anti-sieze and the correct torque specs.

 

One guy had the end of a Champion burn off and damaged a piston. Doubt that was caused by faulty installation. Several have had problems getting the proper gap.

I removed my original plugs at 65,000 and went back with Motorcraft. The removed plugs looked like new on the tip.

 

Thanks Bluejay432000.
So maybe, I should just leave it alone for now. My truck is still under the Ford Premium Care warranty till 100K miles. I only drive 12K miles a year. Maybe at 95K miles, I'll have the dealership change the plugs and let them deal with what happens. Please advise.

 

My dealer has had very little failure, removing the plugs, and they follow the TSB. Last I talked to them, they had broken one plug in two different trucks. These were trucks with over 100,000 miles on them. My advice would be to take it to a dealer that has had some success and get them done at around 75,000. I also followed their recommendation and had the boots changed. The truck runs exactly as it did before the plug change and gets the same mileage.

Does that warranty cover all service? If it just covers repairs, I doubt very much it will cover a problem on the plug change, as it is usually considered a regular maintenance item.

I may be wrong on this, but I think one of the reasons that my plugs came out fairly easy at 65,500 miles is that I use gas with a good detergent. I try to get techron most of the time, which is Shell, Chevron, Texaco. I use Conoco or Phillips 66 and stay away from unbranded, Exxon and Mobil.

 

Changing the plugs yourself is not impossible it is just not very fun, if you break one or not.

I was very careful installing the Champion plugs and I still had problems. There are lots of variables that could have caused the Champions to break but I am certain it wasn't anything I did.

For me, I don't trust the Champion plugs now, that is why I am going back to the Motorcraft plugs. But in my case, I plan to trade this POS off once the new plugs arrive.

 

I guess I see it a little differently. Back in the 60's, I had to change the plugs every 12,000 miles, at least. If I change them around 75,000 on this truck, that is the equivilent of about 6 changes. I really haven't come out that badly and may even be ahead. Sure, it makes a big difference that I had no trouble and the dealer did the job for about $325. I plan on going another 65,000 to 75,000 and if there is no improved Motorcraft by then, I'll go again with the same plugs. My plan is 300,000 on this truck.

 

When I bought it, I planned to keep it for many years. When I bought it, I read as much as I could find and I thought I was getting a good truck. The problem is, this truck is costing me a ton in broken parts and maintenance. Plus, now I read the 04 has cam follower and phaser problems. Once the new plugs are in I am sure it will run much better. But in my case, this truck is a ticking time bomb that I need to get rid of.

Plus, I wouldn't mind changing the plugs every 12,000 miles if they didn't cost around $8.00 each.