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?