More broken spark plugs. It's a 2006 5.4 with 70,000 miles. I read about changing plugs on here and I thought I followed the procedure correctly, but apparently not. I've tried to take out 3 and broken them all. I'm not doing any more tonight. The broken plug tool is coming into auto zone tomorrow at 3:00pm. Why did I break 3 in a row? I broke them loose a quarter turn, put carb cleaner in there and let it sit for over an hour (they're still soaking now), and starting loosening them a quarter turn at a time then tightening them back as the procedure on here says. After 5 or 6 of this quarter turn out, then tighten, then a quarter turn more, they broke. What am I doing wrong? And do I need to blow all the carb cleaner out now or can it stay there all night? ANY help much appreciated

 

Wish i can help you bud i feel for you, never changed the spark plugs and dont think ill be doing it myself either. I hope someone can help you out soon!

 

worth doing yourself... especially if it turns into a nightmare like the op's, at least you arn't paying a shop a bunch of money.

op, there's really no trick to it aside from what you said you're doing, let it soak a lot, go super-careful and change spark plugs like every 60,000km or whatever the miles equivelent is, just bad luck really sorry to say. Stealerships charge a flat rate of 500 to change them, and an additional 180 per plug that breaks where i'm at, so better to be doing it yourself then paying through the nose for shoddy design. i heard seafoaming a week before is good, or starting your soak a week before, but it seems more like a luck and distance based thing more then anything, the longer you wait, the more likely they are to break.

Best of luck with the rest of them man, seriously hope things work out better for you.

 

This is just so not true.

OP, -At this point, just get the right tool for the job .

 

The broken plug removal tool should be here today. Is it hard to use? I've never seen one before. How long does each broken plug take to get out with it?

 

Most people run one to two tanks of gas through with Techron fuel system cleaner. It helps break up the carbon around the plugs making it easier to remove them. Not a total cure for breaking plugs but definatly helps. I bought my 05 5.4 used with 137,000 mi and did this procedure and only broke two of the eight plugs. I consider myself lucky only breaking two, these were the original plugs. Used motorcraft SP515 new plugs with high temp anti-seise. I have the Lisle #65600 tool for removing broken plugs. Good luck with the rest of your plugs!!

 

Hey.

No, it's not hard to use. Try searching for the many tutorials - both here and on the Internets, on it's use.

Some form of preparatory procedure would have likely been beneficial here - Techron, Dealer carb removal (NOT that Seafoam garbage, lol).

I'm also of the mind that 1/4 turn is far too much - I advocate very, very small increments plus a bit of the ol' In/Out' method, reapplying solvent as needed - yer gonna be blowing it out and changing yer oil afterwards anyway,right?

There is even a school of thought that promotes plain removal of the plugs - with no consideration towards prep or breakage, and then just applying the Lisle tool as needed. Total time is actually less using this method (presuming comfort and proficiency using the tool). Just fyi ...

Why are you asking how long it takes? Last thing you need to do, on your first plug change, is to rush. It's not like you have an alternative at this point except head removal.

I suggest you pursue some more needed research, which clearly you have not done (else you'd have the tool prior to beginning, and all the answers to yer questions).

Are you a Millenial?

Seriously, now - Good luck bud - read, block off plenty of time, a couple buddies to commiserate, and git 'er did! You CAN!

 

Ford recommends a MotorVac Service before a plug change in the older 3 valves. This is the most help. But it costs around a hunde.

 

I too think the quarter turn was too much. You likely broke them at that point. It should be fore like 1/8 turn. Just barely broken loose.

 

I did run a tank of gas with techron fuel injector cleaner through it before I started on the plugs. They've been soaking in carb cleaner for almost 24 hours now if it hasn't evaporated. I'm about to go see what happens with the other 5

 

Like these guys said get the tool and read up on its use. While you are waiting I would fashion up a small vacuum hose attachment for your shop vac. You will want to make sure you vacuum out all the little bits of porcelain before you use the lisle tool.
I have a theory that if the plug is going to break it breaks the moment force is applied to break it loose. Just a theory. Take your time and you will get it done. The last plug job I did on a friends truck I broke all 8. Thankfully he wasn't in a big rush.

 

Yea, you chances are better for removing them in one piece with a cordless impact. Just a little cordless, 18 volt.

 

And if you work them out a little, then back in and out again with an impact, you crack the hardened carbon on the plug threads instead of putting all that twist pressure on the plug housing alone.

 

Hey.

It hasn't wicked down the plug hole in all that time?

You need to very, very slightly break the gas seal (and no more) - the stuff needs to go down the plug bore to begin softening the deposits.


'Brew - what's 'twist pressure'? Oh! Y'all mean 'torque'! Silly ol' Bubba

Every one of the impact fans just go WFO until they come out - no back/forth - that's new one fe me.

Good luck! I got my frosties all lined up to celebrate!


MGD

 

No, I meant twist, cuz that's what happens, you twist it in two. Torqued in two doesn't sound right IMO. But okay, I guess
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Your chances of success increase with more hammer action on the plug with the impact. Plus it cleans the carbon debris from the threads driving it back a little. No WhatIMean?

I like Frosties.. Shamrock Shakes as well