Ford Triton engine spark plugs

[peppy]

Any suggestions on these engines?

Ours is at the Ford dealer to replace the plugs, 93K miles and 2 have broken off. The "tool" did not work and they have called in an "expert". Service manager said heads (yes both of them, broke #1 and #8) will have to come off, if the "expert" can't get them out.

[motion]

Oh man, that sucks. I was always under the impression that you needed to budget around $1200 for spark plug change, but I've seen some recent info that says most techs have methods now, and broken plugs can be extracted easily. I doubt that the Ford dealer is going to take the easy route, though.

[pwd72s]

There is a special tool...hope your dealer knows this? Anyway, read below..

Ford Triton Spark Plug Replacement Problems at YouFixCars.com

A video on the Lisle tool being used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoDH_RBrzf8

[peppy]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

There is a special tool...hope your dealer knows this? Anyway, read below..

Ford Triton Spark Plug Replacement Problems at YouFixCars.com

A video on the Lisle tool being used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoDH_RBrzf8

They said the tool would not remove the piece that it was now in the cylinder.

[pwd72s]

Just guessing, but sounds like the next step is to pull the head, take it to a machine shop...

[bpu699]

Due to this issue I never changd the plugs on my v10 econoline. Has 150,000 miles on it, no issues...

Why risk it? If it passes emmisions, the plugs are fine...

[1990C4S]

I think you have to decide that it's every 30,000 miles or never.

Sounds like the head is coming off. That sucks.

[manbridge 74]

There are ways to get broken piece of of head.

[fastfredracing]

I've been lucky in that I have got all the ones out that I have ever done . It is scary sometimes,
The last one I did , 5 out of 8 broke apart coming out . The tool got them all out . I cringe every time I do one .

[FLYGEEZER]

Correct me if I'm wrong .....but the problem only affects the 3 valve engines. I have had several 4.6 liter engines (all two valve) in my stable of Fords over the years and never had a plug change go south

[DerkPerk]

Pretty sure it was the 5.4 only. Had happened to a buddy of mine. Tech had to pull the timing chain cover off to remove the head. Reassembled and the timing was off... :-/


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[sammyg2]

I have a 2010 F-150 with a 5.4 liter engine. It's got just under 80k miles on it.

If this is one of the engines with the problem, you can bet it'll get traded in before the plugs ever get changed.


EDIT looks like they changed the design so the 2009 and newer engines are not effected.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I have a 2010 F-150 with a 5.4 liter engine. It's got just under 80k miles on it.

If this is one of the engines effected, you can bet it'll get traded in before the plugs ever get changed.

The engine came out in 03 or 04 and I thought it was fixed when we bought an 07. I think 2010 was the last year.

I was quoted $550 to change the plugs, That included a few breaking, not removing the heads. I am still hoping they can get them out.

[bpu699]

Someone educate me... Why ever change the plugs?

We all do it. But I have never removed a plug and went "Oh my god... glad I did that."

Usually you look at it, and say,..."ooo... looks good."

Years ago you changed plugs because they fouled. With electronic ignitions and nannies, that just doesnt happen... ever.

If the car runs fine, the plugs are fine...

Now, if the car is misfiring, throwing OBD codes, etc... then... might be worth it.

There is zero benefit to changing a working plug for a newer one. What? 0.5% better fuel mileage? VS a $2000 bill?

Pointless on a truck with these issues...

[Arizona_928]

Any other tools you can use? Watching a YouTube video of swollen glow plugs that pretty much drills them out short of the threads.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by FLYGEEZER

Correct me if I'm wrong .....but the problem only affects the 3 valve engines. I have had several 4.6 liter engines (all two valve) in my stable of Fords over the years and never had a plug change go south

No longer a problem for the 4.6 'stangs anyway. I know the '08-'09's have new style one piece plugs. I was told if your coils are black, you have the one piece plugs...if brown, the 2 piece.

[stevej37]

Here is a different tool that I bought from Amazon a couple years ago for the V8 Triton engine in my motor home. Sold the MH shortly afterwards and never had to use it. The customer reviews say that it works.

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-42025-HELP-Cylinder-Repair/dp/B000TYVU1U/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1467415857&sr=1-1&keywords=dorman+42025

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by peppy

Ours is at the Ford dealer to replace the plugs, 93K miles and 2 have broken off. The "tool" did not work and they have called in an "expert". Service manager said heads (yes both of them, broke #1 and #8) will have to come off, if the "expert" can't get them out.

Baffled why the Ford dealer can't get them out with the tool.

I bought the Lisle tool after never changing the ceramic shank plugs on an '05 5.4 (or the like). Got them all out. About half broke but it was only a function of time. Lots of time because it is tedious.

Pay the $550. I bet a miracle occurs.

[nynor]

$550 for spark plugs?! WTF!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by nynor

$550 for spark plugs?! WTF!

It's a $300 job for a back woods shop.

Metal plugs are at $100.

The shaft is ceramic. Removing the plug requires the ceramic to withstand loosening the plug which enters the combustion chamber well below the bore threads. I am not sure if it's the threads or the plug extension that collects combustion cooties making it difficult to extract.

Some shops burn Seafoam in the gas for weeks before the removal attempt is made.