To pull the plug.. Or not to pull the plug..that is the question.

[Mrpeables]

2001 expedition XLT 5.4 L. 160k miles.
Purchased last month for my sons band who travel between nyc and philly five or six times a month.

Spit out a spark plug in cylinder 3 last week. (used 'fix-a-thread' part number 9814 OT and fixed it.)

Now cylinder 4 is misfiring.

Cylinder three was tough to work on… But cylinder four is going to be really tough. My question is since it's a Motorcraft coil I'm assuming neither have ever been changed. I would like to change both but im worried about the threads stripping out on the plug during removal;

Would you take the shot... Or hope replacing just the coil will do the trick?
Would you check torx spec on old plug or let sleeping dogs lie?l
Or just figure that plug will get spit out soon and just do it all?
Thanks!

 

[Canadian Expy]

I'd put a new set of plugs and coils, just torque the plugs to proper spec..

 

[Mrpeables]

I'm just concerned about stripping the threads taking out the old one.
I don't know if it will be worth the effort.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

well, you miss all the shots you don't take. just don't try to use too much power in removing it. it may be snug in there but it'll break loose.
if you do a full tune up, start with number four. it's hardest to get at and has the most in the way and you have to remove the coolant hoses to get more room with it. trust me, you will thank yourself for getting them out of the way. just have a shop vac and some small hose ready to get any coolant out after the fact. I removed all the plugs and turned the engine over via jumping the solenoid to take extra care I had no coolant in the combustion chamber. just follow torque spec and you will be fine. If it blows another plug then the problem was already there, changing the plug just aggravated the problem. ask yourself the important question first. is the truck worth it if the plugs do blow out? is it important to keep it on the road?

 

[Mrpeables]

Picked up the coil and plug...

I know the hoses well! Fixing plug in #3 was a fine introduction.

It's the one attached to the firewall it's hard to get off. Thanks for your imput!
Merry Christmas!

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

I just replaced the "quick" connects with hose clamps


merry Christmas and happy holidays to those reading!

 

[Mrpeables]

Plug came out pretty easily.
No trouble with the COP..
All is well!

 

[northernexp]

I have heard that the threads stripping happens but I honestly never let it bother me, I sprayed some liquid wrench into each cylinder the night before I tackled the project, my expedition had over 320,000 kms on it with original plugs and coils.

I was very careful making sure to keep the ratchet as straight as possible and I only applied as much pressure add needed to break the plugs loose, and all 8 came out without issue. I used anti seize on all of the new plugs and di-electric grease on the new coils. I still can't get over how much better the truck performs ever since I did it, I put in a volant child air intake at the same time and it's like a new vehicle again. So it was def worth the 7.5 hrs of swearing and contorting my body to get the job done.