I have a 01 screw 5.4 with 150k. recently changed plugged for first time, went pretty smooth with all info on this site. (thanks) after about a day of drving i heard the infamous ticking coming from the plugs. Could tell it was #8 when touching cop. removed plug, cleaned out threads with compressed air and re-torqued to around 28 ft-lbs. after about 10 minutes of driving, the ticking came back. had just got all new coils so took everything apart re-torqued all plugs and put in new cops. But again after about 10 minutes of driving, ticking came back again. seems to be #8 again. So am i screwed, and in need of time-sert, or some sort of insert. Or does anyone have any tips for getting the plugs in tight.

 

a little more info.. when rechecking plugs they all seem to be pretty tight.

 

What brand of cop's did you use and how were they installed.

At 28ft/lbs dry, they shouldn't work loose, especially that quick. Have you had issues with that plug before?

 

bought the cops from ebay (uneek was seller or something like that). installed with some dielectric grease at bottom. and nope issues just started with plug change. think im gonna try pulling it one last time and re-torque.

 

if you torqued them to 28ftlbs then those plugs aint coming loose, at least not that quick. have you tried letting the engine cool then start it and see if the ticking is there or not?

 

I agree....Theyve never come loose on me before even back when i didnt torque them (who knows if it was higher or lower than 28 ft/lb)

 

letting it cool tonight then gonna check in morning

 

If the plugs are tight when you re-check 'em, obviously it's not the plugs. I'm not trying to insult you when I ask this, but do you have any exhaust (manifold) bolts broken? By the time a truck is 9 years old, it's almost certain to have 1 or more broken MB's. They can make the same kind of ticking sound. I'm wondering if the sound was there before but you didn't notice it?

 

your right i dont think its the plugs now(i hope), i guess i was really worried about blowing a plug, and assumed that was my problem. But it seems to not tick all the time, it doesn't do it at startup until bout 10 minutes of driving. then when i'm out working, driving it all day, it just seems to stop ticking randomly, and then start back up just as random. Could that be a manifold leak ( i assumed it would make that noise all the time) My right side manifold was replaced recently and it seems the noise is coming from left side. But the bolts do not seem to be broke. and it seems tight to me ???

 

I know of one guy that happened to. Not sure what he did, but I recall his user name is TwinTips18 (Spelling ?), if you feel like looking him up. His dad is a member of this site as well. Galaxy, -another member of this site, helped him out the last time with a rental Time sert kit. But before that (yea, it happened twice) all his plugs were blowing out after he tried installing NGK's. I think he sold the first truck , bought another, changed the plugs on that one when it started all over again lol.

So it's possible your following that same path. Like I said, I'm not sure what you guys are doing , no offense, but something isn't being done properly.

Maybe if you explain exactly how you preform the procedure , without leaving nothing out, we can help.

 

Btw- I bet I've had my plugs in and out about 50 times since I've owned her. Three times in one week lol. I've never had a problem. I pull the plugs just to see how she's burning most of the time. I use to anyway, I think I've finally gave that up, -it's been awhile..

 

My spark plug flew out last week. Horrible noise when starting up in parking lot. Passing mechanic said "It's the spark plug." Sure enough, plug was out. Plugs hadn't been touched in 3 years. Replaced with new plug (old plug was bent at firing tip.) Worked fine. Went to favorite mechanic and he checked and replaced all. Said all OK. Said this happens all the time with this engine (5.4 L V8 Lariat, 2000 year.) Never heard before, but apparently mechanics see this "all the time on this engine."

 

Hi & Welcome!

Please see post # 3. Did yer mechanic torque them to 28 ft-lbs, DRY ( no anti-seize ) ?

If he did not, prepare to have them eject on you again.

May want to ask him - and, show him this too:

www.blownoutsparkplug.com

FAQs # 51 and 52

If he was not aware, I'd ask him to (Please) retorque as specified above. If he refuses, run away, and find another one with a more open mind.

good luck
MGD

 

Interesting... $800 to go any place in the US to fix a spark plug situation... but $650 if you go to their location?

Seems fishy.

 

How so?

If travel is required:
$ 800.00 plus expenses*
This includes up to two replacement plug seats, replacement of ALL of the spark plugs and one ignition coil if needed.
* Usually just travel fees, but prices can vary depending on situations.


Repairs at local facilities:
$ 500.00 This includes one replacement plug seat, spark plug, and one coil if needed.

$ 650.00 This includes up to two replacement plug seats, replacement of ALL the spark plugs, and one coil if needed. (see FAQ)



MGD