2007 F150 right at 100,000 miles
Customer did 3 tanks prior to plug change with 2 bottles of techron cleaner/additive
Engine was normal operating temp, with about 30 minutes cool down before working
Impacted them out using Makita electric impact on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, & 8 (#4 was done by hand)

Removed air filter housing, and intake tube
<again I no longer remove any piece on the intake tube or housing>

Removed bracket for intake tube, drivers PCV hose, and EVAP purge solenoid for clearance issues
<again I no longer remove any piece on the intake tube or housing>

Removed PCM bracket, and laid PCM forward for access to #3 and #4




Tools of significance


9/16" Long socket with 3" extension. Also used a 1" extension as well


Makita 3/8" Anvil 18v Impact


And VICTORY!!!

Also the white rubber boot seen in this last picture was found inside #7 spark plug well. Below coil, above spark plug, but some how not blocking continuity of the coil. I couldn't get the spark plug socket to get seated on the plug, pulled it back out, and the rubber tip was lodged inside the socket. Seems like its been there since the factory built the engine....

<This was later identified as a fuel rail or fuel line cap prior to factory installation>


ETA: 55 for 56
11-24-12 8 of 8 out clean Lariat-Rules 2007[100k on truck]
01-26-13 Broke #4 Spark Plug no good very bad day [103 on truck]
*02-09-13 8 for 8 KingRanchCoy's 2007 FX2 [70k on truck]
03-22-14 16 for 16 Stealth [120k on truck 70k on plugs] and Lariat Rules (wife's 05 Expy) [70k on truck]
04-08-14 8 of 8 on Coworker 2008** F150 98k. I put in a 20gallon treatment of Techron a week prior
04-18-14 8 of 8 on Cousin's 06 Fx4 68k (TXGSXR1K) had pinging under WOT between 3500-4500 RPMS


*I also no longer take the intake filter housing off. And I put the Makita straight on the spark plug tool on all 8 holes for extraction.



**My coworker's 2008 was built one week prior to the updated head/plug design.

 

Good work Pat.

When it's time to do mine I'll bring a case of Shiner.

 

The shanks on those plugs look very clean. Good job.

 

You're the man. Need to do mine sometime.

 

No soaking - just hammer them out?

 

maybe a couple several cases


As mentioned, top tier gas, and 3 tanks full of 2 bottles of Techron cleaner prior to plug change


you've got my number


yup warm engine, not too hot to touch, and impact them out

 

That's a GOOD day. And another data point for the recommendation for using top tier gas and/or the Techron. I'd put more money on the gas being the major contributor because they get a regular strong dose that keeps the carbon from forming in the first place. It certainly worked for me. My plugs (all 8 came out too) had a LOT fewer miles but from what I can see in the pics, they are even cleaner.

With the plugs that free of carbon, I wouldn't guess the impact was much of an issue one way or the other. I'm beginning to feel some comfort in that practice but I'm not sure I could bring myself to do it at this point. Not that I'll have too... since I'm running Champions...

 

man your arm is hairy... Mine too!

 

Please. We know you mean your palm.


Good job Pat! Even though the impact has been used numerous times for removal without any issues I still can't bring myself to use one on spark plugs.

 

yea being a tech myself, it was hard for me to agree to do this, but with the Lisle tool on standby, and we started on #5 which would have been easier to get at with the extractor had it broken.

 

im known at school for my arms...
i cant think of using an impact on ANY plug to start with... it'd be my luck i go to take it out and i pull a thread or two out with it, or break a plug and drop crap into the cyl.

 

I guess I better chime in, this was my truck that Patman did the plug change on. I read that the impact was used on many occasions with success so that's why I suggested he use it. I always run premium gas in my truck since day one and ran the techron fuel additive thru the last 3 tanks before the change was done, actually I ran 1 bottle added to empty tank and then filled with about 12 gallons 3 times. We both were shocked to see the plugs come out as clean as they were, they look better than the picture shows.

I would not trust the Ford dealership more than I trust Patman to touch my baby. Anyone who lives in the DFW area be smart and follow the advice given here and let Patman do the change, great guy and very knowledgeable when it comes to mechanic work. He has done plugs, brakes, and shocks on my truck and I have been extremely happy with the results. He is also VERY fair on price.


Wanted to make one correction..my truck is a 2007 not 2006

 

Premium gas does generally have more additives than regular.

 

Pat do you do this for other forum members? I am at 111K and I really need to get this done. Or, since I am bout 4-6 month from a trade in would you say leave and let the dealer deal with it?

 

Yes i do work for other forum members, send me a PM.

If you're really gonna trade the truck in, and its not running rough, I'd be tempted to let it be someone else's problem if it was my truck.