Spark plug replacement at dealership

[Tedstech]

i own a 2006 Lincoln Navigator. I had the original spark plugs changed in 2013 (70k) at a Ford dealership. My question is would the new plugs they installed be the redesigned plug that does not break or would they have put the same defective plugs in. At that time I was unaware of the breaking plug issue on these engines and can not locate the paperwork with the part numbers. Thanks for your responses.

 

[johnboneske]

I would assume they would do the cheapest thing possible, so would think they used the original design 2 piece plugs. Just my $.02

 

[1955moose]

Actually I would think the opposite. No dealership, especially Lincoln is going to install a part like a breakable spark plug, especially with all the tsb bulletins and such, saying to install the replacement part. If concerned, go by the dealer, they can print your Repair order, so you can have another copy. The spark plug # should be in the parts section of the invoice.

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[Tedstech]

It was a Ford dealership that did th work. I figured it has been to long for the dealership to have that info in the system. I would also assume that they had stopped producing the faulty spark plugs by then and they would only have the new and improved plugs on their parts shelf. I hope I am right lol

 

[1955moose]

You'd be surprised how long info is kept on a computer. Our government or police, can go back 40 years on you. Paper records get transferred over to computer. Try googling your mother or father, or farther than that. Up pops their picture, and everybody involved. Anyhoo, point is don't worry about it, if it comes down to the sparkplugs, you swap them out. Like one of the others said, get an experienced shop, or dealer to do it. Unfortunately these vehicles are not for Joe Shmo at the gas station to wrench on.

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[TobyU]

All they had in 2013 was the same as original

You'd be surprised how long info is kept on a computer. Our government or police, can go back 40 years on you. Paper records get transferred over to computer. Try googling your mother or father, or farther than that. Up pops their picture, and everybody involved. Anyhoo, point is don't worry about it, if it comes down to the sparkplugs, you swap them out. Like one of the others said, get an experienced shop, or dealer to do it. Unfortunately these vehicles are not for Joe Shmo at the gas station to wrench on.

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That's why they were paying all those people in data entry jobs. So the govt could get caught up on old stuff to be at their fingertips.

 

[Dannyboy11222]

They stopped used the breakable two piece design in 09. so you shouldnt have them installed if you changed them prior to 09. If your gonna try to swap the plugs out, take your time as per instructions with the older two piece design, always blow out headers first of any debris.
And use a good penetrating oil...with the engine being as hot as you can get it without getting burned... Start slow, once plug pops, slowly turn until u can't turn by hand, then back off and repeat until u get the plug out, take ur time. Once you do get the plug out, you will be able to tell if dealer installed the newer design.. And then u will know if ur in for the long haul or not!

 

[1955moose]

That's why warrants can be dug up on you or me 10-20 years later at a routine traffic stop. It's those minimal wage data entry folks. $3.25 an hour in 1980 got you thrown in jail in 2019. And you thought tickets were like jury duty summons, just throw them away!

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[Plati]

It was a Ford dealership that did th work. I figured it has been to long for the dealership to have that info in the system. I would also assume that they had stopped producing the faulty spark plugs by then and they would only have the new and improved plugs on their parts shelf. I hope I am right lol

I keep every receipt for every service action or parts replacement. It not that hard and comes in handy.

But then again I have a record of every dental procedure and tax filing since I was in high school. I'm definitely the exception.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The new one piece plug was installed on new vehicles starting sometime in 2008. It is highly likely you have the new plugs if yours were changed in 2013.

 

[SailorKane]

I had mine done at a dealership a few years ago and asked them specifically what spark plugs they would use and they said new ones that would not break.

 

[Old Guy]

If you have the newer plugs, change them yourself. On your receipt for the plug job they did, the part number should tell you which one is installed.
I changed my plugs when I replaced the coils at about 90K miles. I did go to Ford and get the plugs there.
Note: Ford as well as the other carmakers file what is called a "pick list" this document shows which engine, the engine serial number, tranny, etc down to which cigar lighter was installed. The Ford dealer parts guys can access this by simply inputting the car VIN number. I had them print out one for me so I have it to refer to.
Moreover, the part numbers on the list also keep track of part substitutions. For instance: the may have changed vendors on a part. Instead of buying coils from Chang's factory, they now use Kimyan's factory. (I know I am being facetious) however, I come from a manufacturing background. In one case a sole supplier stopped making a certain IC. We had to redesign the whole module. That's why I went to the dealer. They have info that even NAPA doesn't have.
I agree with the above post about the dealer installing the better part called for on a TSB. They do not want to get sued.

 

[blue oval guy]

The older design plugs is no longer being used at Ford dealerships, there were TSB's on that issue and that Motorcraft plug was superceded.

 

[rjdelp7]

They stopped used the breakable two piece design in 09. so you shouldnt have them installed if you changed them prior to 09. If your gonna try to swap the plugs out, take your time as per instructions with the older two piece design, always blow out headers first of any debris.
And use a good penetrating oil...with the engine being as hot as you can get it without getting burned... Start slow, once plug pops, slowly turn until u can't turn by hand, then back off and repeat until u get the plug out, take ur time. Once you do get the plug out, you will be able to tell if dealer installed the newer design.. And then u will know if ur in for the long haul or not!

Ford recommends, changing plugs COLD. The dealer did mine. They had me drop it off, the night before. This was so the mechanic, could start in the morning, on a cold engine. He had no issues. The 'new' plugs have more threads and improved design.

 

[blue oval guy]

Yes that is a general rule of thumb for replacing spark plugs on all gas motors - cold

 

[1955moose]

Theirs so many different theory's how to get out these stupid designed plugs it kills me. Cold, Hot, Luke warm, spray, then crack loose, then tighten, then impact only real quick. It's like reading about the best way to cook a Thanksgiving Turkey. I'd like to find the moron that designed these breakable plugs, introduce myself, then in one quick motion, kick him as hard as I can with my size 16E boots square in his nuts! And then say that's for all my buddies on the Expedition forum!

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[joethefordguy]

If a dealership had, and installed, the old 2-piece plugs after the TSB's were issued, they're going to be in some trouble if they break... ever.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ford recommends, changing plugs COLD.

That may be Ford's recommendation but independent shops often change them HOT with a 3/8" impact gun. Some places remove the 4 plugs on one side, replace them, start the engine, get it up tom operating temp, and then do the other side.

Very high success rate!

 

[rjdelp7]

That may be Ford's recommendation but independent shops often change them HOT with a 3/8" impact gun. Some places remove the 4 plugs on one side, replace them, start the engine, get it up tom operating temp, and then do the other side.

Very high success rate!

Ford instructs techs to remove them cold. I think they know more about there engines, than an 'independent shop'. I like you to explain, how to use a 3/8 impact gun, on the rear plugs. You can hardly see the back of the engine.

 

[TobyU]

Ford's instructs techs to remove them cold. I think they know more about there engines, than an 'independent shop'. I like you to explain, how to use a 3/8 impact gun, on the rear plugs. You can hardly see the back of the engine.

Never assume the manufacturer or dealer know more about anything as you will eventually be wrong.

Many use a 3/8 air ratchet too. You have to remember ford or at least the dealer...MIGHT be ok if a plug or two breaks off. They then get more money to use the tool to pull it out....or sometimes even other things.

Most shops are too busy to want to make extra hard work like that for themselves and they have already priced the job so they just want them all to come out easily with no complications.
Soaking them, warming up but not hot, cracking loose and soaking again it the most common successful methods you will find if you research people doing them all the time.

Many say the speed/impacts of a small impact or air ratchet has cut down on the number of broken off ones.

If Ford was so smart...they would have never put a two piece plug design in there anyway...and they wouldn't have made many 2V heads with 3.5 threads in the spark plug hole!

It like the airline industry telling me they know how to run a business. I THINK NOT!
All would be bankrupt decades ago. Bailed out what is it once, twice, three times??? by the govt. Any they are the professional company that knows more than we do.
RIGHHHT!