Are all these spark plug concerns limited to the 5.4L?
I have a 2004 4.6L with coil-overs (66K miles).
I normally run 89 octane (mid-grade) gas, it runs much better.
It's running fine now, but I'm thinking plugs will be needed b4 winter.
Do the problems I've read about in this thread apply to this engine?
Thanks, Marc

 

Yes, it's the 5.4 3v engines 2004 to early 2008.

 

My plan is if I keep my truck until 100k trade it in at that time and let someone else deal with the spark plug problem. The way I figure it I have 2 to 3 years left before I hit 100k.

 

The problem has been blown way ot of proportion. I would not let a $350 plug change dictate when I trade a vehicle. I put 65,000 on the first seto of plugs. I love this truck, and I'm going to put 90,000 on the second set. I paid $325 for the first plug change and that compares pretty well with the old days when I had to change them every 12,000 miles.

 

I think what is worrying people is the thought of having to replace heads and having the truck down for a while. The little bit of info that I have gathered of time with the helicoils not being so good and other methods of repair being questionable I think that it is easy to blow this whole think out of proportion. Lots of good info on here guys and thanks for the replies. Hopefuly things are put into prespective a little more focused now.

 

Is their a better plug to use other than mastercraft maybe a performance plug

 

Not really. Motorcraft performs the best. Do not get Autolite. Champion makes a one piece, but some have had problems with them breaking down after a few miles, plus they are more expensive and at best are good for only about 25,000 miles.

 

Bluejay- I'm glad that you are one that always chimes in to say "taint no big deal" Being an optimist, I always figure I don't have problems, I have challenges, and I'm always up to a challenge. I have never been concerned from day 1 about how to deal with getting 'em out when they had to come. And I have never even given consideration to pulling heads to get the pieces out. I can guarantee you the guy who designed the Lisle tool wasn't a pessimist. Keep up the good work Blue- trade your truck because it needs the plugs changed... huh? Hope those people don't ever run into any real problems in life.

 

I replaced my plugs about 2 - 3 weeks ago. Did it with the engine warm and it was no big deal at all. They did squeal on the way out pretty good, but as long as you go nice and easy with even pressure I think you should be ok. I suggest making sure you have a spark plug socket with the correct rubber insert to aid in getting them out, or else a piece of rubber tubing (check the size with the new plugs when you buy them) that you can press on to help pull them out of the hole, can be pretty tricky if you don't!!!

Good Luck!!!

 

Jim, we could argue how big all these plug issues are all day long.

“Caveat emptor” Let the buyer beware, however if the information that is used to make an informed decision is flawed, you’ll get slanted results. Some of your comments sound a little slanted.

I would like to point out a few facts to clarify an owner’s decision making:

• Motorcraft doesn’t “make” spark plugs.
• The Autolite and Motorcraft Ford 3-valve plugs are essentially the same
• Autolite is an automotive aftermarket brand of spark plugs, owned by Honeywell.
• Honeywell, makes OEM and OES plugs under the Motorcraft name.
• Honeywell, makes Aftermarket plugs under the Autolite name.
• Honeywell has one primary spark plug plant in Mexico.
• The Autolite and Motorcraft “HT” plug are both 2-piece, press fit shells.
• The Champion 7989 is a 1-piece machined shell.
• Champion is a “J” gap double-platinum plug.
• All Champion double-platinum plugs have a 5-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty.

Typically double platinum plugs last 60,000 + miles.

At Sparkplugs.com the Autolite HT1 & HT15 sell for $10.86, the Champion 7989 sells for $11.95, the Motorcraft SP-507 sells for $17.65 at the Ford dealer.

Here is the video again, of the 2-piece vs. 1-piece shell …………… “Caveat emptor”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoSh9O3XOho

 

Some facts you may have over looked. The Autolites and Motorcrafts are made by the same manufacturer, but to different specs. Try to convince the people on this site that the Autolites are the same after they have had to replace them with just a few miles.

Same with the Champions. Several have tried them and a few have yanked them out after less than 3000 miles.

Have yet to hear of anyone having to pull their Motorcrafts out due to a misfire.

If that is bias, so be it. I just listen to what is posted here and form an opinion.

My dealer charged me $10 per plug.

 

Boy I called this one right..... "Jim, we could argue how big all these plug issues are all day long."

OK, for argument sake, lets say the Autolite plug is made to a different spec. Is it not made by the same process? Is it not still made with a 2-piece shell? What are the brand of plugs everyone is pulling out on their first tune-up, often in two pieces, with half the plug still stuck in the head?

I mean its like the two Ford guys that bought GM's one a GMC and for 10 years not a single problem and his neighbor who bought a Chevy had the transmission blow and A/C quit before 20,000 miles and thinks GM's are a piece of junk.
The one guy goes back to Ford the other guy thinks the GMC is the greatest!

Alright, now that we have that cleared up (or not) could it be that we don't have a large enough sample size? A good part installed incorrectly fails every time, maybe some over-zealous anti-seize once or twice?

It just seems you take a few people that have had an issue and bring it up every time someone mentions the Champion Plug ... "oh they are no good they miss-fire" Yet we've heard of hundreds of cases where people have broken off several, often many Motorcraft Plugs in one engine, Ford has a 1/2 dozen bulletins, and yet that isn't a problem!?

Am I biased, yes - OK, I'll admit it, a pretty good friend of mine works there. BUT I'm not the one saying a few isolated incidents is a problem and the issue that continues to happen over and over thousands of times is not a big deal.

Sorry to keep rambling, but I feel I needed to to get my point across.

In summary, my point is: If the Autolite plug is "junk" how can the Motorcraft plug be so "great", the Autolite / Motorcraft is much, much more likely to fail coming out, all 3 are about the same price, (depending on where you shop) and the Champion is a double platinum plug with a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty.

You decide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoSh9O3XOho

If/when I buy one of these trucks (or a Mustang with the 3-valve) I'll be installing the Champion's ASAP.

Regards,
Ed

 

The Autolites for the 3V are essentially the same plug as the Motorcraft. It's the 2V plugs that are off spec.

 

Took mine into the dealer this morning to get rotors turned and drivers side window replaced before my warranty runs out. I asked the service writer how much for a plug change. $400 plus $40 for each one they break. This dealer recommends to change them at 60k. They've never had to remove the heads but have broken a few.

 

you could always try yourself, break all eight and only pay 80 bucks per plug to be extracted, plus a wrecker tow bill :o