Ecoboost spark plug change

[coolzzy]

What a PITA! 34k miles on my 17 EL. I'm running a 5* performance/tow tune (87 octane), so decided to change out my plugs for a good baseline since I just bought the truck certified pre owned last month. I watched the YouTube videos to make sure there weren't any gotchas, seemed pretty straightforward.

I've done 3 spark plug changes on the 5.4 and one on the 5.0 in the F150, and this ecoboost puts them all to shame. Getting the cops to release their death grip on the spark plugs without breaking them nearly took herculean strength and cussing like a sailor. Even with a short prybar (drum brake adjustment tool), it was not easy and I'm no small fry. I did the drivers side first, then moved to the passenger side. The two rear cops on the passenger side came out without the boots! How in the world do you get them out of the spark plug hole without damaging them? I ended up snapping the coil packs back on and putting it back together in disgust. I'll have to order new boots before I attempt those two plugs since I'm sure I'll destroy them getting them out.

I did this on a completely cold motor BTW, and not my first rodeo working on cars or changing spark plugs. The 5.4 is a pain but more a challenge to reach them but at least they all came apart easily. The cops on the ecoboost were designed by Satan himself. The 5.0 plugs can be changed in your sleep with one hand behind your back.

 

[jeff kushner]

Even with a short prybar (drum brake adjustment tool), it was not easy and I'm n

I've got to admit....this is a first for me...kudos' to the ingenuity! I usually grip tightly after removing oil film with a cutter...then twist while pushing down then up very quickly....works for me....seems to gain some motion combined with momentum...doesn't even rip the boots!

I've just turned over 41K and have thought about going ahead and doing them just for sh*ts a& grins.....what plugs did you use?

jeff

PS. I don't miss the 5.4's either....triple universals and all!

 

[coolzzy]

The coil packs sit down in recesses in the valve cover so they cannot be rotated, must be pulled straight up which is the problem. I put stock plugs back in, the gap on the ones I removed were nearly identical to the new ones (pre gapped to .030). I didn't notice a difference in power and was already getting decent mpg for this size of vehicle (averaging 15-16mpg in mostly town driving). I just wanted new plugs because I'll be towing the camper a bunch and am running a very mild towing tune. I'm going to make a boot removal tool out of some aluminum or metal tubing once the new boots arrive in case I destroy them on removal.

 

[JExpedition07]

First I’m hearing of this.

 

[07xln]

From what I heard the 3.5 is super easy compared to the older engines. Sucks you had such a hard time

 

[JExpedition07]

From what I heard the 3.5 is super easy compared to the older engines. Sucks you had such a hard time

The 3.5 are definetly easier to change than the 5.4. 04-08 5.4s have a wild spaceship plug that was originally a 3 piece that could break but the new ones sold don’t.... late 08 plus have a regular plug after the head change.... it’s time consuming but not too bad. Top is the newer plug bottom is what I have:

 

[rdlangston13]

I’m gonna be tackling this on our 2015 tonight. We have 58,000 miles and probably 10-15% of that is towing fairly heavy. The fuel mileage has seemed to drop off a little lately so I’m hoping this will fix it. I went ahead and ordered the new boots with the plugs. This is what I bought.


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[JExpedition07]

I’m gonna be tackling this on our 2015 tonight. We have 58,000 miles and probably 10-15% of that is towing fairly heavy. The fuel mileage has seemed to drop off a little lately so I’m hoping this will fix it. I went ahead and ordered the new boots with the plugs. This is what I bought.


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That was my project today on the 07’, was not difficult at all..... good luck on the tune up, always feels better to have everything fresh.

 

[rdlangston13]

That was my project today on the 07’, was not difficult at all..... good luck on the tune up, always feels better to have everything fresh.
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Thanks. Got to get her running like a top since are going to be towing 7,000 lbs trailer from Houston to Hot Springs and back in a week with 6 people in the car.


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[coolzzy]

I Googled it after putting everything back together, and it turns out lots of F150 owners have had this same problem. Not many ecoboost expeditions rolling around so not as widespread of a reported issue.

I hope your change goes easier than mine, there is a tool specifically designed to remove the coil pack boot, it's like 30 bucks. You can diy it if you have a piece of thin walled aluminum or steel tubing slightly bigger than the ceramic of the spark plug. Sharpen the edges on the end and gently push it through the center of the boot and around the ceramic plug, then pull out and the boot comes with it.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I Googled it after putting everything back together, and it turns out lots of F150 owners have had this same problem. Not many ecoboost expeditions rolling around so not as widespread of a reported issue.

I hope your change goes easier than mine, there is a tool specifically designed to remove the coil pack boot, it's like 30 bucks. You can diy it if you have a piece of thin walled aluminum or steel tubing slightly bigger than the ceramic of the spark plug. Sharpen the edges on the end and gently push it through the center of the boot and around the ceramic plug, then pull out and the boot comes with it.

I have a 2015 Expediton Limited 4x4 with the 3.5. It has 41,*** miles and I planned to change the plugs at 45,000 miles (with the air filter again).

Do the coil pack boots have to be removed? Should they be replaced? What is the special tool you spoke of? Any part number or reference number? Thank you.

 

[rdlangston13]

I have a 2015 Expediton Limited 4x4 with the 3.5. It has 41,*** miles and I planned to change the plugs at 45,000 miles (with the air filter again).

Do the coil pack boots have to be removed? Should they be replaced? What is the special tool you spoke of? Any part number or reference number? Thank you.

I don’t think they need to be replaced but at some point they updated the design. I wasn’t sure if my 15 has the old design or new one so I just bought new boots to make sure I was good.


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[rdlangston13]

Just finished my plug change on my 2015 and it was cake. No issues with the boots coming off the coils and sticking to the plugs. Only issue I had is that I was anticipating the coils to be harder to pull off than they were and I broke a small piece off of the flat part of the first one (see pic). I’m pretty sure all that part does is put pressure on the gasket to create a better seal. May go price one at ford.


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[DF5.4]

That was my project today on the 07’, was not difficult at all..... good luck on the tune up, always feels better to have everything fresh.
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All in 1 piece. Good job.

 

[coolzzy]

Yours must have been replaced or inspected at one point. I was laying on the engine, with a pry bar tool hooked under the coil pack and tugging for all I was worth. The cop would lift out but not pop off, and when you released pressure it sucked itself right back down onto the plug. I don't think I've cursed so much on a spark plug change ever. Here is the tool to remove the boots if they get stuck:

Ripped Spark Plug Boot Remover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CE9XZI4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pmbhBbATCJDWD


I put dialectic grease (as I've done for every spark plug change for the last 20 years), so the new ones pop out now. Once schedules slow down over the summer, I'll tackle my two stuck boots by either making my own tool or buying the overpriced one on Amazon.

 

[Boostedbus]

Yours must have been replaced or inspected at one point. I was laying on the engine, with a pry bar tool hooked under the coil pack and tugging for all I was worth. The cop would lift out but not pop off, and when you released pressure it sucked itself right back down onto the plug. I don't think I've cursed so much on a spark plug change ever. Here is the tool to remove the boots if they get stuck:

Ripped Spark Plug Boot Remover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CE9XZI4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pmbhBbATCJDWD


I put dialectic grease (as I've done for every spark plug change for the last 20 years), so the new ones pop out now. Once schedules slow down over the summer, I'll tackle my two stuck boots by either making my own tool or buying the overpriced one on Amazon.

Yeah that tool looks like nothing more than an aluminum gutter spike ferrule..... they cost pennies not dollars at a hardware store

 

[rdlangston13]

Yours must have been replaced or inspected at one point. I was laying on the engine, with a pry bar tool hooked under the coil pack and tugging for all I was worth. The cop would lift out but not pop off, and when you released pressure it sucked itself right back down onto the plug. I don't think I've cursed so much on a spark plug change ever. Here is the tool to remove the boots if they get stuck:

Ripped Spark Plug Boot Remover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CE9XZI4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pmbhBbATCJDWD


I put dialectic grease (as I've done for every spark plug change for the last 20 years), so the new ones pop out now. Once schedules slow down over the summer, I'll tackle my two stuck boots by either making my own tool or buying the overpriced one on Amazon.

I’m the original owner since it has 18 miles on it so unless they took it apart for an oil change, I don’t think they have ever been removed. Maybe the new boot design grips it tighter and I had the old one?


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[Black]

Much different than swapping them on an F150???
This video makes it seem quite easy.

I am coming up on 50K so I'll be doing a few things including plugs.

 

[JExpedition07]

All in 1 piece. Good job.

Followed fords TSB, loosen all 8 one half turn then spray carb cleaner down the plug wells and wait 20 minutes, then use impact to remove.

 

[JasonH]

Trying to keep all the info in one thread. I tried to change the plugs on my 17 EL and could not get the coil off the plug. I didn't have a metal pry tool (plan to pick one up). My plastic ones could not do the job. Has anyone else had this issue? Is there a way to make it easier? What temp should the engine be at when attempting this replacement? Mine was cold, and I tried running it for 10 minutes but it made no difference. The dealership quoted 3 hours for the labor. I really would prefer to do it myself but don't want to break anything.