My engine had started developing a slight miss and ping under load. Through reasoning I figured it was time for new spark plugs / wires. I was unsure of when they were last changed. I went and bought new plugs and wires and took them to the aamco that has always done all my work for me. Apparently 8 hours into it they called and said they were original plugs and they were rusted in. They would have to take my intake manifold off completely to get the plugs out. They have quit for the day. Now I'm wondering what are the possibilities of them stripping out the head? I've done a lot of reading and researching do the spark plugs attack at the head? or on the intake manifold? If they do strip the threads out what kind of damage am I looking at, is there a possibility of re tapping? I'm an electrical guy, I can do some engine work but nothing this extreme. I can't believe after 115k this was still running. I'm sure they are all fouled, no CEL ever and not obvious misses or stumbles just the occasional one. I bought the truck at 98k What are my options, and is it as bad as it seams?

 

what engine? Why AAMCO? They are rip offs in my experiance. Have a brother inlaw who works for them. I would never take my truck there. They are transmission jerks anyway not engine guys I'd get that truck out of there.

 

I very much agree with jethat

 

The manager is actually one of the few honest people in the industry I have found. Before I took my truck there the first time I checked out BBB and a few other sources. Also was recommended by someone I knew pretty well. I became personal friends with the manager. He owns a really nice L so he knows about the trucks. It's a 4.6L that I have.

EDIT: Also not sure how your AAMCOs operate but the one I go do has cars/trucks in there for EVERYTHING, not just transmissions.. must be the name that throws people..
http://www.aamco.com/completecarcare/tune-ups.html

 

If it were me I'd take it to a dealer and let them try removing the plugs before I let ammco transmission jerks tear my engine apart. Sometimes thats just the best thing to do. The plugs cant be rusted in the aluminum heads. Could have corroded into the steal plug. I would have tried an impact to remove them.

 

Ok- I will discuss with the manager, it may be that they are so corroded that they had to remove the heads to get them off- at least thats my guess. Again these guys are not jerks. I know the techs all personally, and the manager as well. So please with respect get off that subject. I don't think I can afford taking this to the dealership to have them work on it. They will charge me huge rates. I will let you guys know tomorrow how it goes.

 

I think the problem they are having is the corrosion down in the hole prevents the spark plug socket from engaging onto the points of the plug itself, therefore causing the socket to slip off the plug. I had to take a needle thin pick and hack away at the corrosion just to get the socket onto the plug. I ofcourse had a shop vac in there to suck up any debris. Rusting to aluminum. . . LOLZ. . .


Keep us updated with your next move. . .

 

Thank you, Camarothatcould- your reply gave me hope. I depend on the truck for work so not having it is really hurting me. I work full time as a computer tech and travel to my clients job sites- My family all lives 2+ hours away so fending for myself in a big city is kind of hard without this thing. You are probably right and I may have heard him wrong but whatever happened they were 10 years / 115k stuck in the head. So I'm sure something was stuck to the point of having to remove the piece they screw into. This will be a long night.
Sean

 

Personally, I would spray PB Blaster down into each hole with the spark plug boot removed, let it soak overnight and then using a small flathead screwdriver or pick, knock all the corrosion(white stuff) out from around the plug, shop vac it up, then break the plugs loose. When you remove the plug, you NEED to get back in there iwth the shop vac to suck out all the left over nastyness. Also using a mirror, inspect the hole and clear out any other debris. People dont od that and the debris gets caught in the threads and spark plugs dont get tight and they blow out. . .

 

If I felt more comfortable doing it and had the space to do it I would MAYBE attempt it myself. I will let the professional guys handle it. As long as they don't strip my threads out I will pay them- It's worth the cost to me, as the truck is my only asset worth anything

 

MAKE sure they use MOTORCRAFT plugs

 

I'm not calling the "jerks" because they are jerks I'm clling them jerks because thats what they do they jerk out trannys. I would do what camarothatcould says Thats a good idea cleanig up around the plug and lubricating it. I would also use an impact to break them loose. The 4.6 has more threads in the head then the 5.4 and there isnt much of a chance of damaging them with an impact in reverse. The 4.6 dont really have the blow out problem.

 

I understand what your saying. I brought the spark plugs and wires to them. I am very clear about having to use motorcraft plugs. I have done a lot of homework on it, which is why this threw me off. Good to know the impact won't hurt the heads unless really &$*ed up. As soon as I hear more I'll post

 

If the manager has an L then he should know how to get a plug out of the head. Removing the intake manifold will not make the job of removing the plug that much easier. It may make the job of cleaning around the plug easier but IMHO it is a waste of time and cash. I change my plugs on a regular basis and some times I have to use the Johnson bar just to get the plug started. With a proper extension you can turn a ratchet at least 180 degrees on every plug except the rear ones but those can be turned at least 90. FWIW removing the head in not necessary to remove a plug.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

I'm going to head out there and take a look at this problem. I'm not an engine guy but I can tell BS. He's a good friend which is why I haven't called it. Honestly I just need it taken care of but you guys have got me wondering. They said the corrosion or rust whatever it was, was terrible and if I had to guess they have soaked the whole works in something overnight. 8 Hours /3 plugs. I know the techs and they have been able to tackle every other project on my truck so I'm unsure why this one is different. Also note that these have never been removed.. All original so I'm sure they are no blessing to remove. What I know about the midwest is corrosion is almost inevitable in anything metal sitting outside, I wouldn't think this is any different. Especially with 115k/ 10 years