Ok, I've been reading alot about the spark plug issues with my 04 screw....of course my reading is a little on the late side.

04 supercrew with 150,000 miles on it and I haven't changed the spark plugs! I do have an excuse.........with my last truck, (01 screw) I changed the plugs using Bosch platinums, and all I had was problems. So, this time I figured I'd just let them go. Bad idea.

So the stuttering started and it finally threw a code....#3 COP. Replaced that and it runs pretty good........I still have an occasional stutter but it's not bad.

My mechanic says the spark plugs should be replaced, and that when they did the COP they tried the plug and it wouldn't move....so they left it. He says if it breaks (on removal), I'm looking at removing the head to get the plug or plugs out. Is this still a possibility even with the removal tool??

Wondering what you guys think.

Sell the truck ASAP?
Will the removal tool get the plugs out?
Is my mechanic full of S??
I'm I an idiot???
Will the economy get better soon???

Thanks!!

 

There are a few senior members on here who have the TSB's concerning plug removal for your truck. From what I have read, if the TSB directions are followed exactly, the plugs should come out without a problem.
You may want to use the search option on this forum and locate the PLUG REMOVAL PROCEEDURE. It has been discussed numerous times, so you will find it during your search.

Good Luck with it,
TJKinCNY

 

Also it seems that running better brand gas with detergents seems to help carbon deposits. I think shell is what bluejay used and he had no issues. I use whatever Sam's or BJs gets and had no issues but I did run some cleaner through a week prior and followed the TSB w/o any breaking.

 

Since this is a fresh thread, and may get a bit more traffic than the past ones, I would like to ask a question. Sorry for the hijack, but it may help! What if one hasnt been using the best gas, and hasnt really found out yet that they need to address the plugs before 65k, but then figured they would try to see if they can get the plugs out? Would a couple of tanks of good gas(top tier + higher octane) PLUS a good fuel system/engine cleaner from local auto parts store help with the carbon deposits that are on the plugs? Just something I have been thinking about......

 

My advise is to take it to a dealer that has had a lot of success with the plug removal. My dealer has, and just recently, another member with 133,000 on his took it in to the same dealer and none broke. They started as soon as he got there after driving the truck about 35 miles and did the job in 2 1/2 hrs following the TSB. They said they thought the engine being hot helped.

If you do it yourself, follow the TSB explictly, using the cleaner they recommend. Be sure to use the nickel anti-sieze on the shank and dielectric grease on the boots. With those miles, I bet the boots need to be replaced as well. Go back with Motorcraft and you should get another 100,000 out of them.

 

I don't really think a couple of tanks will help much. The carbon build up that is there will probably take more than that to dissove or burn off. I don't suppose that a few tanks with a bottle of Techralean added will hurt and just might help. At least one member used Seafoam on his truck and he was successful with the plug removal. I am not a Seafoam fan, but how do we know if it helped or not? Maybe it did.

 

Maybe the couple of tanks of fuel wont help much, but I cant help but think they cant hurt. I am with you on the Seafoam...the way it all smokes and stuff...can't be good. Maybe Im wrong?? At any rate, Its time to do mine, and I am SO green to this its not even funny. The COP's are on the top of the motor, under/beside the fuel rail. Then the plugs are under the COPS right? I will be doing this in the next couple of weekends...

 

Yes, the COP sits on top of the plug, with a bolt that holds it down. There is a boot that slips over the plug. Do some research on the procedure. It helps to move the PCM out of the way, a few other things. I just didn't want the stress of doing it myself, so took it to the dealer. I was happy to pay! The plugs they took out looked good as the new ones, and I could tell no difference in performance. These plugs really do go well over 100,000 miles.

 

Even with an '04 that I just bought at 60k? I dont have a clue as to what maintenence the previous owner did. I bought it from a stealership, BUT, it was "certified" and has a 100k mile powertrain warranty on it. I would love to take it to them to do it, but 1 i would like the experience, 2 I would like to NOT pay for the f-up, and 3 I just dont like not having something to drive! So, Im in a helluva pickle!

 

I had my plugs and boots changed at 65,500. I got nervous about it, decided to get it done. The heat and time cause the rubber boots to crack and break down, which causes a miss that would seem to be a COP failing. I'm sure I changed mine too soon, but I decided to "waste" the money and be sure.

 

Since the idea of wrenching and cursing for the better part of a day or two doesn't really interest me that much anymore, if it were my truck I'd just follow the advice in Bluejay's post and take to a dealer that has gone through this routine a number of times.

While the mechanic you normally use might be a good guy, there's nothing that can replace the experience a dealer gets in doing this procedure several times every week. For what has turned out to be an iffy proposition at best for most of the "shade tree types" around here, I believe it would be money well spent!

One thing I would consider, however, is how long you plan on keeping the truck. With the great deals that are out there on fullsize trucks right now, you could quite possibly convince me that the money you would spend on the plug change might be better spent toward the purchase of a new vehicle. Again, only you know how long you plan on keeping the truck, so you decide......

 

i have a 2004 5.04 4x4...and i just changed my spark plugs...FORD needs to recall them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!they fall all to pieces!
now my truck is using alittle oil due to i guess theres a little trash in my rings.i replaced the PCvalve so its not that!and my truck never used a drop of oil until i had them changed!it took 8 hrs for a guy to change my plugs who FMC sent to college!hes been with ford for like 25 yrs!theres no reason why FORD shouldnt recall these spark plugs!they are defective!they have a 1 inch metel shaft at the bottom to make them long enough to fit down in the motor and this sticks in the motor...(i think from carbon)every plug stuck!!!!!!!!!!
the guy who worked on my truck told me every FORD truck coming in with these spark plugs are doing this...
i had a perfectly awesome truck...but because i had the plugs changed...im having to put in a quart of oil in between each oil change!im so pissed!!i have been a FORD girl my whole life...but this is not fair!
40.000 down the drain as far as im concerned!!!i think FORD should fix my motor!!it wasnt my fault they put in spark plugs that were faulty!now im stuck with a piece of crap! sorry...im very upset!britt

 

The reason that the seafoam smokes so bad is because the solvents in it are breaking down the carbon and the engine is burning it. It will not hurt the engine in any way . The other cleaner that I would reccomend is from BG products. However you will have to take it to a shop that performs these cleanings. It is a special product that you cannot buy over the counter. These cleanings should be done every 30K at least. I do mine once a year. It helps the fuel milage greatly and keeps the performance at its peak. I perform these cleanings at the shop I work for and I am a major advocate of this along with other general maintence.

I did my plugs at 30K and they came out ok. They made alot of creaking noises that made me worry but they came out. Follow the TSB to the letter and you shouldnt have any problem. I would never let these go beyond 60K. The chances of success starts to drop after that.

 

Does the seafoam affect seals and gaskets?

 

Daveap you need to take your truck to a Ford dealer or to your mechanic and make sure he has a copy of the latest tsb. Unless your mechanic has done other trucks or is up do date on things he might not even know that there could be an issue. I wish you the best of luck !