2005 5.4 Spark plug Change
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Newnan, GA
2005 5.4 Spark plug Change
Just changed my original plugs at 72k last week. Got all 8 out with no breakage! I read all the comments here I could find, the Ford TSB, and followed some advice from a friend who is a retired fleet mechanic.
All plugs were removed with hand tools. I went really slow on changing them. Did the 4 driver's side one day, the front 2 on pass side another and the rear 2 the 3rd day. Other than coils of course the only things I removed was the battery, PCM and the PCM bracket to allow good access to #3 and # 4.
I sprayed just a little Deep Creep in the plug wells after removing coils and blowing out debris the night before. Used my 3/8" clicker torque wrench set at 35 ft lbs to ease them loose , TSB says to expect about 33 ft lbs necessary. They all felt like they were going to shear off then I would feel them start to break loose. After just getting a plug broke loose, I sprayed a little more Deep Creep in the hole and waited 15 mins before proceding. After the 15 mins, used the 3/8" ratchet with a big wrench on end for leverage and to assure smooth pressure on plug. Did the turn a little out, turn a little back a few times on each plug until the plug started to turn more freely.
#4 was the tough one.....and the last plug I changed.......it would not budge with the torque wrench, nor the 3/8" drive, went to a 1/2" drive with a bigger wrench on the end and it finally broke free.
I have tried to always use top tier gas in this truck and ran 3 bottles of Techron through the engine prior to the change. Engine was slightly warm when I sprayed the Deep Creep the night before but stone cold at change time. I bought a KD tools # 3938 9/16 Ford spark plug socket with the extension and a swivel on it and was very careful to keep it centered on plug during change. All plugs came out with the shroud area soaking wet from the Deep Creep. Lots of screeching like the TSB warned. Used the MC SP515 plugs with antiseize applied to the shroud area. Changed engine oil and filter a few days later in case any Deep Creep made its way into crankcase. There was a small puff of DC burning off from exhaust pipe at first start after each change.
Sorry for the novel, lol!
All plugs were removed with hand tools. I went really slow on changing them. Did the 4 driver's side one day, the front 2 on pass side another and the rear 2 the 3rd day. Other than coils of course the only things I removed was the battery, PCM and the PCM bracket to allow good access to #3 and # 4.
I sprayed just a little Deep Creep in the plug wells after removing coils and blowing out debris the night before. Used my 3/8" clicker torque wrench set at 35 ft lbs to ease them loose , TSB says to expect about 33 ft lbs necessary. They all felt like they were going to shear off then I would feel them start to break loose. After just getting a plug broke loose, I sprayed a little more Deep Creep in the hole and waited 15 mins before proceding. After the 15 mins, used the 3/8" ratchet with a big wrench on end for leverage and to assure smooth pressure on plug. Did the turn a little out, turn a little back a few times on each plug until the plug started to turn more freely.
#4 was the tough one.....and the last plug I changed.......it would not budge with the torque wrench, nor the 3/8" drive, went to a 1/2" drive with a bigger wrench on the end and it finally broke free.
I have tried to always use top tier gas in this truck and ran 3 bottles of Techron through the engine prior to the change. Engine was slightly warm when I sprayed the Deep Creep the night before but stone cold at change time. I bought a KD tools # 3938 9/16 Ford spark plug socket with the extension and a swivel on it and was very careful to keep it centered on plug during change. All plugs came out with the shroud area soaking wet from the Deep Creep. Lots of screeching like the TSB warned. Used the MC SP515 plugs with antiseize applied to the shroud area. Changed engine oil and filter a few days later in case any Deep Creep made its way into crankcase. There was a small puff of DC burning off from exhaust pipe at first start after each change.
Sorry for the novel, lol!
