How hard is it to get my spark plugs out?

[tgams]

So I've read all the horror stories about various model expeditions and spark plugs. Mine's a 2011 5.4l. A couple weeks ago I had a coolant leak at the tee above the passenger side head...so while I had the hoses out of the way (I went ahead and replaced both) I decided to take the coils out and wipe coolant off and blow out the holes around the plugs.. Down that far, I figured it might be a good idea to pull a plug to see how worn it looked. Well, I was using a 12" socket wrench, and i'm not a big guy, but I was thinking it might break, I was going to put a breaker bar on it, and decided not to..didn't want to break it in half..should I try an impact on it when I decide to finally do a tune up? Or should I use a breaker bar? Was thinking maybe spray some kroil down there and let it sit overnight when I do it. Any advice is sincerely appreciated.

 

[JExpedition07]

They don’t break in later years, especially the 08+ design and most earlier ones have the updated plugs by now anyway. This is a lie perpetuated by shops and Chevy guys to rake owners over the coals, I hate reading how much people get charged for an easy job with plugs that don’t break. Your 11 won’t have any problems with the 1 piece plugs just go to town.

 

[07navi]

Spraying penetrating oil won't do anything because they are still tight but just take them out and put anti-seize on the new ones and don't overtighten. I think the torque is 25 ft pounds on them.

 

[tgams]

Thanks everyone, I’ll put the breaker bar on it.

 

[TobyU]

A standard 3/8 drive ratchet and moderate hand strength is more than enough to remove them.

The problem was not that you couldn't break them free but as you turned them out the ends bottoms broke off and stayed in the head.

This is where cracking them slightly loose like only 1/8 turn or less and soaking with PB Blaster or carb cleaner would help loosen the carbon around thebotton protruding tip and help them come out cleanly without breaking.
I think you are past the build date of 2-piece plugs so you should be ok either way you do it.

Many have found that a 3/8 impact works best as it is not super strong but it pulsates and impacts and tends to take the out without breaking as many than if you just used a hand ratchet.


I go slow and soak and work them back and forth.

The first on I ever did while totally unaware of the issue I just did like any old plugs and broke 2 out or 8 off.
The Lisle tool took them right out.

 

[sjwelds]

A standard 3/8 drive ratchet and moderate hand strength is more than enough to remove them.

The problem was not that you couldn't break them free but as you turned them out the ends bottoms broke off and stayed in the head.

This is where cracking them slightly loose like only 1/8 turn or less and soaking with PB Blaster or carb cleaner would help loosen the carbon around thebotton protruding tip and help them come out cleanly without breaking.
I think you are past the build date of 2-piece plugs so you should be ok either way you do it.

Many have found that a 3/8 impact works best as it is not super strong but it pulsates and impacts and tends to take the out without breaking as many than if you just used a hand ratchet.


I go slow and soak and work them back and forth.

The first on I ever did while totally unaware of the issue I just did like any old plugs and broke 2 out or 8 off.
The Lisle tool took them right out.

Hey @TobyU he has a 2011. The plug breaking problem ended mid 08.

Just saying.

 

[TobyU]

Hey @TobyU he has a 2011. The plug breaking problem ended mid 08.

Just saying.

I covered that. "I think you are past the build date of 2-piece plugs so you should be ok either way you do it."

I think around sept 09 is when they went to 1- piece but don't take my word on that..Just going from faint memory.

But unless his have been done with old 2-piece plugs (which is possible if they have ever been replaced) then he should be good to go.

 

[07navi]

You don't have the plugs with the breaking problem but if you did Ford recommends removing them cold and by hand and others say use an impact when hot so if you have an 08 or earlier you might want to buy a removal tool in advance.

 

[tgams]

Thank everyone very much...I'm pretty sure they're the one piece plugs..just wanted to make sure going to town on em wouldn't break them off like what was in my 2000...they're much easier to get to on this engine as well. Thanks again!

 

[JExpedition07]

Yes the spark plugs are way easier to access on the 05+ 5.4 3V than older ones especially the back ones. My 2007 was a piece of cake to tune up.

 

[The Wiped Cam]

You need this guy if you don't have much experience tinkering with your Expy. Gets the job done in 30 minutes. It can take a brutal amount of torque too. I recently did plugs on a 2014 that had 127k on the original units. This SOB took all the torque I threw at the plugs like a champ...and without any lube!

Only hard part of the job is probably going to be figuring out a way to not lose the retaining bolt for the rear driver side coil while taking it out or putting it back in. That's it!

 

[762mm]

 

[Trainmaster]

That extended socket makes the job a cinch. Can't beat it. Found mine on Ebay.

 

[762mm]

That extended socket makes the job a cinch. Can't beat it. Found mine on Ebay.

They do, but they're expensive for something that you'll use so rarely. One of the best ones is the GearWrench 14mm flex socket, made specifically for the Ford 5.4L. It has a magnetic spark plug retainer, which is the best feature (vs competition).

I was gonna buy one off Amazon, but then I tried to use my various sized 3/8 extensions and found the perfect combination. If I recall correctly, the 8" or 10" extension + a standard 14mm spark plug socket combined with my low-profile flex ratchet worked great on my 5.4L 3v... it provided just enough reach and clearance to do the job.

The rear plugs on both banks are by far the biggest PITA. They were torqued down quite hard too and I had to put a lot of elbow grease to get them out.

 

[JExpedition07]

You don’t need swivels or fancy contraptions all though I’m sure they help. All you need is a medium and a small extension for your socket set. Set the larger extension down the plug well first then click on the ratchet for the back two. If you need more clearance that’s what the little extension is for. I didn’t use any swivels for my 2007. You just have to unclip those two little vacuum lines to the right if you forego the swivel.....about 30 extra seconds lol.

 

[jeff kushner]

Thanks everyone, I’ll put the breaker bar on it.

Holy crap, yikes! ALUMINIUM......think; soft, like brass......be gentle my friend.....JE knows better then most....but I'm pretty sure he isn't suggesting cheater bars<LOL>!!

All in fun, I know you know this stuff or you wouldn't be casual about it.....

jeff

 

[07navi]

You don’t need swivels or fancy contraptions all though I’m sure they help. All you need is a medium and a small extension for your socket set. Set the larger extension down the plug well first then click on the ratchet for the back two. If you need more clearance that’s what the little extension is for. I didn’t use any swivels for my 2007. You just have to unclip those two little vacuum lines to the right if you forego the swivel.....about 30 extra seconds lol.

I agree, Ebay sells those like hotcakes because everybody thinks it's what they need. I did buy a 9/16" genuine spark plug socket for $5 just because I didn't have the rubber goody inside that grabs the tip on any of my deep wells. My Excursion had deeper holes in the heads and I put a piece of duct tape around the bottom inside edge of the socket that held the plugs. I have also given my 5/8" deep well socket a shot of super 77 3M adhesive before pulling plugs also (they both worked fine). The magnetic sockets are a bunch of hype also. Try the adhesive if you don't have a genuine plug socket.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Spraying penetrating oil won't do anything because they are still tight but just take them out and put anti-seize on the new ones and don't overtighten. I think the torque is 25 ft pounds on them.

Ford does not recommend anti seize compound on the spark plug threads.

Here is some information about anti seize and spark plugs:
http://www.jagrepair.com/images/AutoRepairPhotos/NGK_TB-0630111antisieze.pdf

 

[aagitch]

That extended socket makes the job a cinch. Can't beat it. Found mine on Ebay.

I've done a handful of plug changes for friends/family with it since I got it and what a big convenience. Definitely worth the small investment.

 

[tgams]

Wow! lots of great tips! I have the 5/8" gearwrench sparkplug socket that swivels, and has the magnet...I was thinking the plugs were metric though, so i'll probably just use a metric deep well and a piece of fuel line to pull them out.(and put them back too) Yeah the dealer wants like getting close to a grand for a 100,000 mile tune up..I can't even see spending that much to do something I can do myself and know it's done right. I really really appreciate all the excellent tips guys, you don't even know how much help you've been.