5.4L 3V Spark Plugs Engine Build Dates before 10/09/07
#862
Senior Member
The plugs in early 5.4 3 valves had a two part plug. When the carbon builds up around them they break off in the head when trying to remove them. The later models changed to a one piece plug to rectify the problem.
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AceFord04 (03-27-2015)
#863
2006 xlt
I just changed my plugs and boots. I have been lurking around here for a while getting info. Broke 8 out of 8 plugs, bought the Lisle tool and it worked like a champ. Truck runs better than it has in years.
A buddy of mine has a 2009 Lariat, we shouldn't have the same problems should we?
#864
I just changed my plugs and boots. I have been lurking around here for a while getting info. Broke 8 out of 8 plugs, bought the Lisle tool and it worked like a champ. Truck runs better than it has in years.
A buddy of mine has a 2009 Lariat, we shouldn't have the same problems should we?
#865
Just did mine yesterday after dreading it for a couple of months. '07 5.4L flexfuel FX2 SCAB with 117,000 miles. Before I saw this thread I posted my experience in the Maintenace area. Took about 5 hours but all 8 came out, none broken. They were Motorcraft SP-515, same as I put back in.
After reading all I could and watching Utoob vids I went after them with a 3/8" air driven impact wrench. Engine warm, broke them loose, sprayed a shot of Pblaster down the well, waited 15 minutes and zip, out they came. The two closest to the firewall required a flex joint between two 3/8" extensions but they came out.
One thing I notice is how much corrosion / carbon is on some of the pulled plugs I see in pics. Mine were clean, with only a bit of carbon near the tip. The electrodes were worn, but otherwise they didn't have the buildup I see in pics. Maybe it's just the additive package in the fuel where they are.
Last thing, I took one of my old plugs, clamped it in a vise and with a pair of vise grips tried to break off the extended part that comes off in heads. Could not do it and I put a lot of effort into it. I managed to make it turn one full rotation but it did not come out from under the tapered seat. Must be some Gawdawful carbon buildup to cause separation.
After Vise Grip attack in bench vise. Could not separate the plug.
Runs fantastic now. No hesitation or balking, just smooooth.
Weekender.
After reading all I could and watching Utoob vids I went after them with a 3/8" air driven impact wrench. Engine warm, broke them loose, sprayed a shot of Pblaster down the well, waited 15 minutes and zip, out they came. The two closest to the firewall required a flex joint between two 3/8" extensions but they came out.
One thing I notice is how much corrosion / carbon is on some of the pulled plugs I see in pics. Mine were clean, with only a bit of carbon near the tip. The electrodes were worn, but otherwise they didn't have the buildup I see in pics. Maybe it's just the additive package in the fuel where they are.
Last thing, I took one of my old plugs, clamped it in a vise and with a pair of vise grips tried to break off the extended part that comes off in heads. Could not do it and I put a lot of effort into it. I managed to make it turn one full rotation but it did not come out from under the tapered seat. Must be some Gawdawful carbon buildup to cause separation.
After Vise Grip attack in bench vise. Could not separate the plug.
Runs fantastic now. No hesitation or balking, just smooooth.
Weekender.
Last edited by Weekender; 04-14-2015 at 09:19 AM.
#866
Senior Member
I have the 4.6 3-valve in my Sport Trac. At 100,000 miles, the plugs were changed as advised, and came out fine. The shop reinstalled the new replacement 1-piece platinum plugs from Autolite. At 125,000 those plugs started a misfire, and these plugs were replaced back to the newer Motorcraft. At 150,000 miles, started getting a misfire again. Shop found a failed coil on cyl 1, and replaced it. A week later, towing a camper out of state, misfire on cyl 1 reappeared. When I took to a dealer in GA, found that the shop installing the plugs hadn't properly tightened, and number one cylinder spark plug electrode was mostly gone, and the side threads were largely burnt away. No loss of compression, and new (again) plug and coil, properly torqued in, stopped the problem. Proper installation is as important as proper removal.
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F150Torqued (04-14-2015)
#867
Big thanks to everyone on this site for the tips. I did mine last weekend after having the Lisle tool in my possession for 2 years. 2 of my original plugs were Champion, with different COP. I noticed that earlier so I purchased 2 Motorcraft COP and my 8 SP515 from Rockauto.
Saturday afternoon I warmed my truck up, gave a quarter turn to each plug and sprayed some PB Blaster in. I let that sit overnight and the next afternoon I went at it. The 2 Champion plugs came out with little effort and in 1 piece, but I believe they were changed about 10k miles ago. You would have thought the morons who changed them would have been smart enough to put anti-seize on it. I ended up breaking half of them in total. I included a picture, and they're lined up in firing order.
Saturday afternoon I warmed my truck up, gave a quarter turn to each plug and sprayed some PB Blaster in. I let that sit overnight and the next afternoon I went at it. The 2 Champion plugs came out with little effort and in 1 piece, but I believe they were changed about 10k miles ago. You would have thought the morons who changed them would have been smart enough to put anti-seize on it. I ended up breaking half of them in total. I included a picture, and they're lined up in firing order.
#868
Lost in Time
Join Date: May 2011
Location: North Dallas Forty, OC California
Posts: 521
Received 213 Likes
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Yep, that's me too. My neighbor used my tool with good success but one of his tips broke apart and fell into the cylinder bore. He got lucky and was able to get it out but it scares the 'ell out'a me.
#869
Junior Member
Cool. You just answered my question already
I am new to this forum. I just picked up a 2004 Ford F-150 supercrew 4wheeler and I love it. It is close to 90k and planing to do a tuneup. Reading all the info about the plugs breaking, I was going to ask about what brand of plugs I should use. After reading your post, I'll go with OEM. Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward...or dreading to get new plugs installed. I'll post my results when I get it done. Wish me luck.
#870
Lost in Time
Join Date: May 2011
Location: North Dallas Forty, OC California
Posts: 521
Received 213 Likes
on
98 Posts
I am new to this forum. I just picked up a 2004 Ford F-150 supercrew 4wheeler and I love it. It is close to 90k and planing to do a tuneup. Reading all the info about the plugs breaking, I was going to ask about what brand of plugs I should use. After reading your post, I'll go with OEM. Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward...or dreading to get new plugs installed. I'll post my results when I get it done. Wish me luck.
Good luck