Ok, so we have all seen the horror stories on here about the plugs breaking off in the heads on the 5.4 3v motors on this board. Same thing you hear, motor missed a couple of times and got the dreaded service engine soon code which turned out to be a misfire. Well, not being a resident gear head, I wish I was, could save thousands, I took my 06' screw KR to a dealer on the far side of town because he was the only one that didn’t seem scared of the problem. I was really worried after hearing all the horror stories. Completed the work in about 3 hours and only broke 1 plug, number 8, a tough one to get to and I picked my truck up after paying the $560 it cost. $450 for the labor and parts and an extra $80 for the broken plug plus tax. Now I know some on here are going to say they could have got it done for half that. Well, maybe where you live, but not in Indianapolis. I priced it at three Ford dealerships and 4 independent shops and they were all within $75 of each other. I went with the dealership because I felt they see this problem more often than others. My opinion is that this was a much bigger problem early on because they didn’t have enough techs that were experienced on this issue yet. Now, after several years and hundreds of motors later, I think they have it down.

 

As long as you don't feel ripped off, then you're good.

congrats on a successful fix.

-Martin

 

Sounds like a fair price to me!

 

I'll be doing mine this time next year when I should be pushing 55-60K!....

 

thanks for the responses. Runs like a different truck. Didnt realize how much of a difference it would make in acceleration and power. First 96k miles down, couple hundred more to go. FORD TOUGH!

 

Anyone used the Champion plugs over the Autolite's? I hear they are a one peice design and not prone to breaking?

 

I agree totally. Your area seems to charge more than they do here, but I agree completely with your concept. It was a major risk early on before everyone figured out how to get them out and what to do when one broke. I feel sorry for those pioneers that had heads removed to get the broken plugs out.

I was at my dealer Saturday for an oil change and they are still getting most of them out with no breakage. They recently had one break and it too was number 8, but they were able to extract it with no problem. I have been scoffed at for saying that the problem is now blown out of proportion, but I believe that if you burn gas with a good detergent, they follow the TSB for removal and know how to extract one if it breaks, it is just not that big an issue. Dumb design, yes, but it can be handled.

 

I've been burning QT gas....supposed to be a top tier rated fuel. Hopefully that will help in my case when I change plugs. Chevron/Texaco is also "top tier" rated and available here in GA.

Most of my driving lately is just idling around town though...little interstate anymore, that might result in more carbon buildup freezing up plugs?

 

I use Texaco, Shell, and Conoco around here. Yes, I would think around town would cause more build up. Mine driving is pretty well mixed.

Don't go with Autolites, they are not made to same specs as Motorcraft. Some have gone with the Champions, but I have been told I'm biased. There have been some that have had problems with the Champions, plus you have to change them more often. They are expensive! My dealer charged me $10 each for the Motorcraft and they last longer. I went back with Motorcraft.

 

The Autolites on the Advance Bros website show a H15 and a H1 plug with the H1 being and "enhanced" design, not sure what that means. Yeah, the Champion's are 19.99 each, pricy! Conoco, Shell are "top tier" fuels too I think.

 

The key is a good detergent in the gas. Shell, Chevron, and Texaco all have Techron and i think it is about as good as there is. The QT and Conoco as well as Phillips 66 are top tier. I quit using Exxon a few years ago after I discovered I got poorer mpg with it, then later I found out it is not listed as top tier. .

 

I think you came out fine, I'd rather pay that then have my truck down, with broken plugs. I'm scared to take mine in to change plugs on my 06 with 51,000 miles. I think I will run mystery oil for about 1 month before I take it to be changed, hope that will help.

 

I would suggest adding Techron. You can get it at Walmart.

 

OP, how many miles on your truck and how did the plugs look? Pictures of plugs?

 

sorry posted twice