5.4L 3V and 3.5 Twin Turbo Counterfeit Spark Plugs

[JExpedition07]

Hey guys, just wanted to warn all 3rd gen owners of these counterfeit plugs being sold on eBay and Amazon for both engines in this generation. I have seen a few users on the forums with plug failures and the electrode strap breaking off in the engine. BE CAREFUL!! These fake plugs have thin welds and are prone to breaking off metal bits in some model year engines. If you received Motorcraft plugs online and they have dark ink or old packaging you may want to dispose of them or return them....these also tend to lose plug torque and foul/misfire prematurely. Here is a video, things to check. It is hard to discern an oem plug vs the counterfeits which come in Ford packaging and are fake branded Ford:

 

[Boostedbus]

Great lnfo!

 

[07navi]

Hey guys, just wanted to warn all 3rd gen owners of these counterfeit plugs being sold on eBay and Amazon for both engines in this generation. I have seen a few users on the forums with plug failures and the electrode strap breaking off in the engine. BE CAREFUL!! These fake plugs have thin welds and are prone to breaking off metal bits in some model year engines. If you received Motorcraft plugs online and they have dark ink or old packaging you may want to dispose of them...these also tend to lose plug torque and foul/misfire prematurely. Here is a video, things to check. It is hard to discern an oem plug vs the counterfeits which come in Ford packaging and are fake branded Ford:

Funny but I just saw this a couple hours ago. They wouldn't go in the garbage, they would go back. Also, what does anybody know about the # 515 plugs? They are passed off as # 546 all over the net. They are the little older version and they show a 546 box and then somewhere below they say they are 515's. I think the 515 is improved from the earlier ones that break but are one heat range colder than the later 546.

 

[sjwelds]

1840-EIGHT-PCS-SPARK-PLUG-MOTORCRAFT-SP509-FORD-EXPEDITION-LINCOLN-NAVIGATOR-V8 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R4TNYX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TCcsEbWN81YMS

These are the ones I have in my Amazon cart. What do you all think, are they legit?

 

[JExpedition07]

1840-EIGHT-PCS-SPARK-PLUG-MOTORCRAFT-SP509-FORD-EXPEDITION-LINCOLN-NAVIGATOR-V8 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R4TNYX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TCcsEbWN81YMS

These are the ones I have in my Amazon cart. What do you all think, are they legit?

I’d avoid those ones. They are either old stock or just an old product photo (pre 2016)....or could be counterfeit. Look for the current style packaging with the “speeding car” on it. Like this:

 

[sjwelds]

Thanks. Maybe I'll buy them from rockauto or something.

 

[G213]

Crap....did my plugs 15k ago, bought from amazon. Not sure if they were phony.

Going to buy a new set from a dealership and do them again.

Great info though....thank you scumbags who make this knock off junk.

 

[JExpedition07]

Crap....did my plugs 15k ago, bought from amazon. Not sure if they were phony.

Going to buy a new set from a dealership and do them again.

Great info though....thank you scumbags who make this knock off junk.

If you go to the description in the video he has verified some Amazon sellers that sell the right stuff. One to check yours would be to get a new one and compare them.

 

[07navi]

1840-EIGHT-PCS-SPARK-PLUG-MOTORCRAFT-SP509-FORD-EXPEDITION-LINCOLN-NAVIGATOR-V8 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R4TNYX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TCcsEbWN81YMS

These are the ones I have in my Amazon cart. What do you all think, are they legit?

I'm new to these 5.4 engines because I just came from a v-10 a month ago and I'm not a mechanic anymore but I guess these plugs are for the later Expys. I didn't see that yours was an '12

 

[07navi]

If you go to the description in the video he has verified some Amazon sellers that sell the right stuff. One to check yours would be to get a new one and compare them.

But little was said about the cheaper and older # 515 ones, what about those?

 

[sjwelds]

SP-509 is what I need for my 2012, correct?

Just looked on RockAuto and the picture online still is using the old style packaging. Would surely think RockAuto would be genuine parts.

Might be safest to go pay exorbitant dealer prices on this.....hmmm....

 

[LokiWolf]

If you are running an EcoBoost, Run SP542’s. You can buy them in Sets of Six as a Ford Performance part. ZFGRacing also has them in stock. These are the one range cooler plugs, and I recommend them even for stock EB’s. My idle is smoother. Generally runs better.


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[JExpedition07]

But little was said about the cheaper and older # 515 ones, what about those?

Don’t purchase SP-515 spark plugs, For 2007-2008 5.4 3V engines SP-546 superseded SP-515 in 2017 which corrects cracking porcelain and misfire concerns on the SP-515. The new SP-546 also features a bigger snout and extra crimps.

Sjwelds, yes 2009-2014 5.4 engines use SP-509 and that is the current iteration and correct plug for your 2012.

 

[Plati]

This comment is sort of a cross between 2 of JE's recent posts.

China is and has been counterfeiting American products and stealing our Intellectual Property for waaaay tooo looong. Time for it to stop or at least hold them accountable. I remember when my friends would go to China on business and bring home knockoff Callaway golf clubs or anything at 1/4 the price. Not as good either but looked real.

China is a main provider of Fentanyl opioid too. State sponsored.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinas-role-in-the-us-fentanyl-epidemic-152338423.html

China also has Teams of cyber criminals (state sponsored) who have infamously stolen vast amounts of data and done other dirty deeds. Time to hold them accountable.

China (where there is no line between private business and the Communist government) companies should not be allowed to set the standards for 5G and provide equipment either. Just as Chinese designed and manufactured cameras should not become (already too late) standard equipment across the USA including military bases etc.

China should not be allowed to buy large US semiconductor companies and become a monopoly in any particular field by this manner.

We have to surpass them in the fields of AI and quantum computing also or its game over.

RANT OVER

 

[sjwelds]

Hopefully these counterfeit products don't eventually infiltrate Ford's parts networks....

 

[07navi]

This comment is sort of a cross between 2 of JE's recent posts.

China is and has been counterfeiting American products and stealing our Intellectual Property for waaaay tooo looong. Time for it to stop or at least hold them accountable. I remember when my friends would go to China on business and bring home knockoff Callaway golf clubs or anything at 1/4 the price. Not as good either but looked real.

China is a main provider of Fentanyl opioid too. State sponsored.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinas-role-in-the-us-fentanyl-epidemic-152338423.html

China also has Teams of cyber criminals (state sponsored) who have infamously stolen vast amounts of data and done other dirty deeds. Time to hold them accountable.

China (where there is no line between private business and the Communist government) companies should not be allowed to set the standards for 5G and provide equipment either. Just as Chinese designed and manufactured cameras should not become (already too late) standard equipment across the USA including military bases etc.

China should not be allowed to buy large US semiconductor companies and become a monopoly in any particular field by this manner.

We have to surpass them in the fields of AI and quantum computing also or its game over.

RANT OVER

The blonde guy is trying to do something about all that.

 

[mquick5]

If you are running an EcoBoost, Run SP542’s. You can buy them in Sets of Six as a Ford Performance part. ZFGRacing also has them in stock. These are the one range cooler plugs, and I recommend them even for stock EB’s. My idle is smoother. Generally runs better.


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This plug# for all year ecoboost?

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[Plati]

The blonde guy is trying to do something about all that.

Orange?

 

[LokiWolf]

This plug# for all year ecoboost?

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15-17 Expedition, or F150 with the 1st Gen 3.5EB. Not sure on the 18+ Expy’s as they have the 2nd Gen 3.5. Not up on the best plug for them...


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[mquick5]

15-17 Expedition, or F150 with the 1st Gen 3.5EB. Not sure on the 18+ Expy’s as they have the 2nd Gen 3.5. Not up on the best plug for them...


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Thanks, and is it the same as the sp-578?


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