spark plug change-out
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From: the great stinkin' desert national monument and nuclear waste dump
spark plug change-out
Ugh. changed my plugs a few weeks back. I have a 5.4L and it was no pick-nick!
got a few great clues off this site.....like get a new spark plug socket with the universal built-in at sears ($10.00) and duct-tape the socket extensions together. Made it much easier.
I started with the hard ones, in the back on the drivers side. UGH. BTW I did a "dry run" on two of the easier ones--an inspection--which made the real thing easier instead of plunging right in.
The engine had 31,000 miles on it at the change. The plugs looked like, well, they had 31,000m miles on them. I took them to an independent shop to give me an evaluation and they were fine. The fellow there is a ford guy, has a '99 with a 4.6L. He told me they didnt need replacing.
I replaced with the OEM plugs.
The result?? well, I note that it starts easier and smoother, but it wasnt a problem in the first place. Idles smoother, too, but that wasnt a problem either. Worthwhile to do?? welll...you be the judge.
--karl
got a few great clues off this site.....like get a new spark plug socket with the universal built-in at sears ($10.00) and duct-tape the socket extensions together. Made it much easier.
I started with the hard ones, in the back on the drivers side. UGH. BTW I did a "dry run" on two of the easier ones--an inspection--which made the real thing easier instead of plunging right in.
The engine had 31,000 miles on it at the change. The plugs looked like, well, they had 31,000m miles on them. I took them to an independent shop to give me an evaluation and they were fine. The fellow there is a ford guy, has a '99 with a 4.6L. He told me they didnt need replacing.
I replaced with the OEM plugs.
The result?? well, I note that it starts easier and smoother, but it wasnt a problem in the first place. Idles smoother, too, but that wasnt a problem either. Worthwhile to do?? welll...you be the judge.
--karl
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Warner Robins, Ga, CSA
Karl: I'm in the process too--pulled #1, #2, and #4 just to inspect them because I was becoming increaseingly fearful of detonation. My 8 new NGK's are waiting for me to bite-the-bullet and get on with it. I only have 18,000 miles but I run with added boost so the plugs become even more important. Glad you got through it--does your 5.4 have the coil-on-plug system too?
Dan
Dan
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From: the great stinkin' desert national monument and nuclear waste dump
yeah the 5.4 has the coil-over-plug. Had a problem with two of them, the boot didnt come off the plug, stayed on the plug when I pulled it off. Had to use a long needle nose to get in there and grab it and pull it off.
Not going to do that job again for a while!
--karl
Not going to do that job again for a while!
--karl
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From: the great stinkin' desert national monument and nuclear waste dump
Oh, yeah, forgot...
My dry run was on the first two plugs on the pass. side. Yes i did pull the fuel rail, made things much easier.
For real I started on the drivers side as these looked like the worst. Problem was mainly access with all the plumbing. Yes I pulled the fuel rail. It took me about 4 hours to do the rear 3 on the drivers side. Enough for one day.
Second day I started with the first one on the drivers side. Had to remove the PS resivior braket, and to do that had to remove the cover over the throttle body. No Biggie. Then I tackled the pass side, went very easy compared to the drivers side. Those 5 took 1.5 hrs.
--karl
My dry run was on the first two plugs on the pass. side. Yes i did pull the fuel rail, made things much easier.
For real I started on the drivers side as these looked like the worst. Problem was mainly access with all the plumbing. Yes I pulled the fuel rail. It took me about 4 hours to do the rear 3 on the drivers side. Enough for one day.
Second day I started with the first one on the drivers side. Had to remove the PS resivior braket, and to do that had to remove the cover over the throttle body. No Biggie. Then I tackled the pass side, went very easy compared to the drivers side. Those 5 took 1.5 hrs.
--karl
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Joined: Jan 1999
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From: WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA
HI!... My truck is 3 years old, and I have done spark plug changes 4 times. I don't know what everyone is having a problem with. If you have the proper tools and know how it is quite simple. The 1ST time it took me about an hour to do but the last 3 times it has only takin me about 30 minutes to do.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Houston, Tx.
Neal,
30 minutes..that is sick. No question that time would easily win 4.6/5.4 F-150 spark plug changing race. I plan on changing the plugs tomorrow, that is why Im searching on "changing spark plugs", and I expect that I will probably average 30 minutes for each plug since it is my forst time for the 5.4!!
GDG
30 minutes..that is sick. No question that time would easily win 4.6/5.4 F-150 spark plug changing race. I plan on changing the plugs tomorrow, that is why Im searching on "changing spark plugs", and I expect that I will probably average 30 minutes for each plug since it is my forst time for the 5.4!!
GDG
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From: Houston, Tx.
And....I just finished changing the plugs about three hours ago. First time for me on the 5.4. Yep, I figured an average of about 30 minutes a plug, and it took me about 3 hrs 45 mins. However, Neal is right, it isn't that hard to do. Now that I have done it, I thing I can do it comfortably in abour 2 hours.
GDG
GDG