I have read about the plug removal procedure for the past couple of days and I have one issue that I am a little unsure about. I am going to change plugs this weekend.

I will have the time for an overnight soak. Should I loosen the plugs for the overnight soak or soak overnight and then loosen and soak again?

It seems like I have seen it both ways??

thanks

Mhburris

 

Go by the TSB, 'crack' the plugs no more than about 1/8 turn (if even that) before the soak. If you leave them tight the solvent can't get down to the shank to soften the carbon. Providing this is a 5.4L 3v.

 

What Sam said!

 

What Jim said!

Y'all want to juuuuuust crack that ol' gas seal, and no more. Evidence suggests some of these can break if you open them too much initially. 1/16 turn or less - less preferred.

And growing evidence suggests you initially crack them when the engine is faily warm (some even do it hot).

 

Yep.....

 

Great,

That answered my next question regarding engine temp.

So here is my plan...Warm the truck up on Friday night, remove COPs and crack each plug, spray with carb cleaner and leave overnight, finish removing plugs Saturday morn.

Sound Good??

Mhburris

 

I would spray in a little more carb cleaner just before starting that morning, in case some had dried out from the previous night.

 

I would also have a Lisle tool handy to ward off evil spirits.

 

And follow this method - https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...y-writeup.html

... as good as any if doing it manually.

MGD

 

and hopefully you've been running some techron in the last two tanks of gas.....

 

^^^ Listen to ol' Eight-Eight - he's done more of these plugs than everyone in my neigbourhood combined


MGD

 

Re-spray-Check!
Techron-Check!
Lisle Tool-Check!
Patience-Check!

I will report back!!

Thanks

Mhburris

 

Good luck!---

The first 5-10 vehicles I changed these plugs on I was a nervous wreck but after over 150 of them its a cake walk.....

 

U tube has a documentary from a Ford Tech using an inpact wrench. He uses an intake carbon removal technique, and then removes the spark plugs with the motor at running temps with an inpact wrench. REmoving all the plugs in 5 minutes not breaking any and the plugs really looked bad on the long ends. Shows em 1 at a time and all lined up together. Uses regular technique to reinstal, not impact wrench. 45 minute job.

 

I think the key is less the impact and more the decarbonization from the Techron.

I await a buildup of experience on this. Not inherently against impacts, as I used them when I wrenched for a living, but I didn't have to deal with broken spark plugs. I'm interested to know, prior decarbonization aside, whether you are more or less likely to break them with or without the impact.