Anyone know the Ford 4.6L? Spark plug problem

Nostril Cheese · 02-13-2014, 09:13 PM

Any of you guys know the Ford 4.6L V8?

My roommate's F150 came home today on a tow truck. Spark plug blew out of cyl. no. 3 (counting at passenger side from front of engine).

I know this is a problem on the 5.4L, is it also common on the 4.6L?

I plan on taking the coil off tomorrow and tackling this. He did say he changed the plugs last summer, hopefully the threads arent gone..

Any advice, tips or experience would be helpful.

Nostril Cheese · 02-13-2014, 09:54 PM

Well, went and pulled the coil right out. It broke off the mounting ear and then I saw the remnants of the threads blown out over the valve cover.

Anybody want to loan me the tool?

sc_rufctr · 02-13-2014, 10:01 PM

Do you mean a thread repair tool for the spark plug hole?

Nostril Cheese · 02-13-2014, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Do you mean a thread repair tool for the spark plug hole?

Yep, somebody here must have done this job before..

sc_rufctr · 02-13-2014, 11:34 PM

I did it years ago on an old Fiat. The kit had a small umbrella to catch the chips.

Tedious but it worked well.

Slider79SC · Slider79SC's Garage

This happened to my brother this summer, he paid to have it repaired. $$$

His mechanic, and others I have talked to said to change the plugs every 40k and use anti seize on the plugs since there is a difference in material between the plugs and heads this helps tremendously.

ledhedsymbols · 02-14-2014, 04:22 AM

I have a Ford V-10 truck. All the Triton motors are known to have this issue 4.6 5.4 and 6.8 liters. Napa has this fix

Dorman 42025 HELP! Master Cylinder Head Repair Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive

Which I found in-store. I have about 15K miles on my truck with no issues after this repair. If it happens again there are other helicoil insert repair kits available. They usually require removal of the head.

fastfredracing · 02-14-2014, 04:23 AM

I have the tool, I think I am out of inserts however, pm me your info, if you want to borrow it. I would need it back fairly quick, if you could make that happen. I see these fairly often. I'll look and see if I have any inserts today.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

The plugs in this engine are also known to break off when attempting to change them. A friend of mine had the plugs replaced in his 5.4 L Ford truck engine at the expense of about $800! When the engine in my 2006 F150 started to run just a bit rough at idle, I traded it in on a new 2012 5.0 Coyote engine F150. The new truck has run perfectly over the first 23k miles. You have to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em!

Nostril Cheese · 02-14-2014, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I have the tool, I think I am out of inserts however, pm me your info, if you want to borrow it. I would need it back fairly quick, if you could make that happen. I see these fairly often. I'll look and see if I have any inserts today.

PM sent.

Knew I could count on you guys..

mattdavis11 · 02-14-2014, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred cook

You have to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em!

In this case, it's better to find another table. Although you have procured a loaner, you might suggest that your roommate should invest in the tool if he plans to keep the vehicle. There will be another hole that blows out.

Nostril Cheese · 02-23-2014, 08:44 AM

A big thank you to Fred. He sent me out the thread repair kit and installation took less than an hour. I owe you one.

HardDrive · 02-23-2014, 09:18 AM

Pelican rocks.

Laneco · 02-23-2014, 12:35 PM

Over the past two years, my brother's V-10 has spit out EIGHT of the plugs...

angela

A930Rocket · 02-23-2014, 04:48 PM

Knock on wood. I have a 2001 F150 with 210K on the clock. Just changed the plugs again, dry and 25 ft lbs each. Seems to have worked since the first time at 100K.

june82000 · june82000's Garage

I have a '99 Lincoln Navigator with the 32 valve (as opposed to the 16 valve) 5.4L engine. Are these also affected by this issue?

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk

Nostril Cheese · 02-23-2014, 06:02 PM

Pretty trick setup actually. There's a guide that fits down the hole in the head to center a drill bit. Then you drill out the old threads with an air ratchet, use the guide to tap, then JB weld on the threads of the new insert. Getting the chips out of the combustion chamber is the hardest part. I used a combo of vacuum and high pressure air.

Truck fired up with no problems.

4SFED · 02-23-2014, 06:14 PM

Be careful... when Snap-On sells a Removal Tool.... FOR THE REMOVAL TOOL... you know you have a problem.

Make sure you buy the updated plugs too or else it will keep spitting them out.

aigel · aigel's Garage

I wasn't impressed by the modular Ford engines. Great idea for Ford, to squeeze the same engine into every platform. But it wasn't a good fit for the F150. Half way under the dash with horrible access. My 97 F150 blew a head gasket at 200k and that repair sucked donkey you know what. At the shop it is a lift the body repair! Sold it right after fixing it. Even just changing plugs (this was pre-coil on plug) was a major PITA with cut up arms. Of course the heater core went too - total dash removal on that ...

I am jonesing for a cheap stick shift ragtop. The Rustang is almost out due to this modular engine ...

G