5.4 triton spark plugs....?

[soulsedge]

So a mechanic friend of mine, after posting online that i got the new expy....asked what engine. i said 5.4. he just laughed and said good luck with that.

He went on to inform me that the plugs almost always break off randomly and that it's 100 bucks a plug for the dealer to change them?

i'm assuming he's just fear mongering me, lol.
Why would you need to get the dealer to change the plugs anyways if they break off? i'm assuming the metal portion of the plug is still there even if it does break off?

 

[brockncole]

With yours being a 2002 you shouldn't have to worry about them breaking off that is the 3V motor that has that problem. The problem you may have is them blowing out of the head.

 

[SWAGGA]

With yours being a 2002 you shouldn't have to worry about them breaking off that is the 3V motor that has that problem. The problem you may have is them blowing out of the head.

What he said... that's the 3v motors...

 

[Captain Morgan]

It takes less than 10 minutes to start removing plugs on these engines.

Once you have the socket on the plugs, turn v e r y slowly and take your time. In all probability they are already loose enough to make you feel uneasy about it.

When you put the new plugs in torque to 25lbs on a really cold day up to 28lbs on a warm day. When you put the COPS back on add some dialectic grease to the boot.

</mongering>



.

 

[joezek]

And don't forget the anti-sieze!!!

 

[Captain Morgan]

I was told by Ford that they don't recommend anti seize on these aluminum heads as it is not required and may contribute to the spark plugs backing or blowing out. But in general I agree in have used plenty of anti seize on other models.


.

 

[joezek]

Not required...? Ford is crazy for saying that...I've been working on aircraft engines for 17 years, they have aluminum heads, but they also have steel helicoils on them from the factory. The reason is because aluminum threads are extremely soft, and expand/contract a lot with heat variations. When they expand this allows the clearance at the end of the last thread to let a small amount of carbon up into the threads. Then when it cools it tightens up around the new garbage that was pushed into the threads. This repeats itself every time you drive it. Over time it siezes the plug, and then when you try to remove it, the soft aluminum threads strip out. Then what?.... remove the head and install a helicoil.

The major spark plug manufacturers tell us (in aviation anyways) that when the spark plugs are BRAND NEW, then and only then, they say you can get away with not using anti-seize. They claim that the plugs are coated with an anti-seize type of stain resistant material when new. BUT the first time they're removed you must use anti-seize. When you remove them after being used, it strips off the smooth stain resistant coating and creates a new rough surface that allows carbon to stick to. This causes it to seize.....

I personally believe Ford had a manufacturing problem where they were under torquing the plugs or something. I haven't heard of any other auto companies having such a major issue of stripped plugs, or loose plugs focused on one engine or one specific vehicle. I'm sure it happens to other vehicles, but not the majority of them.

 

[alaskanexpy]

mines blown and plug, its not a big deal. few hours and $100 or so and your back on the road.

 

[Captain Morgan]

I think the logic is that without the anti seize and with the additional torque the plugs would not un thread and blow out. For all we know they WANT the carbon to help seize.

I'll never see another new set of plugs in this rig so I personally don't care if they never come out. If I were to take them out then I would soak em good from both directions anyway.

Part of the problem may be wrong information such as telling people to use only 12lb torque.

 

[Mikes05expy]

Advanced Auto Parts sells a repair kit for about $50-$60 bucks....DONT DO IT!!!! Bite the bullet, spend the $$$ and have it repaired the right way. I blew a plug out on my 03 crown vic 4.6, I bought said repair kit and installed it....3 times. The 1st time it lasted 2 weeks, 2nd time 3 days, 3rd time I got about 4 miles from home and it blew again. By the time I got it to a shop the cost went from $250 to just about $500 when all was said and done FOR ONE PLUG! My local Ford dealer wouldn't even touch it, why is beyond me. On top of needing a heli coil it destroyed the coil and melted a wire harness. My neighbor is a Ford mechanic and she also recommended anti-seizing the plugs.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Thx Mikes05expy


Good info to share! Sorry to hear it was such as PITA.

I think advice from mechanics is like going to the doctor, you never know what their school of thought is, how conservative their recommendations are, what their education was, what their personal experiences have taught them and so on.


.

 

[toms89]

The earlier 2v heads only had 4 threads for the spark plug holes and the threads are aluminum. The fact that they only had 4 threads was the issue. If not torqued properly they would work loose. Too much torque and you damage the aluminum threads. (Personally feel factory torque specs were not high enough due too many original plugs that were ejected) Torque recommendations vary depending on who you ask.

Use of antisieze is not recommended because the threads on the plugs already have anti-corrosive coating so its not necessary and it will throw off the torque readings. (May cause you to over torque the plugs)

Later production PI 2v heads came with 8 thread count spark plug holes. You can also currently get Ford motorsport PI heads that are 8 thread count.

 

[soulsedge]

Thanks for the response guys. So far no mis-fires or anything, so i dont believe i'm going to touch them at all. It seems to run good and have plenty of power for the time being. =)

i was just curious. =)

 

[mbaessler]

Question. When did Ford upgrade the spark plug hole to 8 thread count on the 2v heads. Was it 1999 when they had the new heads and horsepower increase?
Mike