5.4L 3V Spark Plugs Engine Build Dates before 10/09/07
06-10-2016, 11:02 AM
#922
LightningRod
That DAMN carbon buildup
@Handyman66 -- https://www.f150forum.com/f4/5-4l-3v...2/#post4761635 --
Hope this worked out great for you. For ME, this is just a 'routine' part of a plug job now (at no more than 50K mi intervals). Since I don't let the carbon build up, I've been using a slightly modified cleaning method. I fashion a small piece of rag firmly to one end of a piece of coat hanger, soak it with carb cleaner, put the other end in my drill and run it up and down in the hole till the rag (or a new one) comes back clean.
That along with all the other good, clean, plug change practices (no greasy finger prints on plug ceramic / good boots / dielectric grease / good solid electrical connections), I have never again had either random misfires or problems with a plug breaking on removal.
If the carbon has built up sufficient to break plugs on removal - I would still recommend to anyone using the bottle brush technique - but rotate each cyl to TDC in turn to avoid dropping the brush into the cyl like this poor forum member.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/13...lp-piease.html I would HATE to be responsible for anyone having that happen to them.
Hope your results were as successful as mine.
Hope this worked out great for you. For ME, this is just a 'routine' part of a plug job now (at no more than 50K mi intervals). Since I don't let the carbon build up, I've been using a slightly modified cleaning method. I fashion a small piece of rag firmly to one end of a piece of coat hanger, soak it with carb cleaner, put the other end in my drill and run it up and down in the hole till the rag (or a new one) comes back clean.
That along with all the other good, clean, plug change practices (no greasy finger prints on plug ceramic / good boots / dielectric grease / good solid electrical connections), I have never again had either random misfires or problems with a plug breaking on removal.
If the carbon has built up sufficient to break plugs on removal - I would still recommend to anyone using the bottle brush technique - but rotate each cyl to TDC in turn to avoid dropping the brush into the cyl like this poor forum member.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/13...lp-piease.html I would HATE to be responsible for anyone having that happen to them.
Hope your results were as successful as mine.
06-15-2016, 12:05 PM
#923
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: KC Metro-Missouri-formerly WI
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I had my plugs changed @ 51K, my selling dealer told me not to wait much past 50K or else the ugly problems happen. Used Sea Foam for a month before change, only use Top Tier Gas, and had a fuel injection cleaning done right before the change. Coil Paks were still good-didn't change them at this time.
I was have some hot start issues, wouldn't always fire up on 1st start on random times. Ran good otherwise, no misfire, but noticed the gas mileage was dropping off some. I was shocked how much the center electrode had worn down, wouldn't have lasted another 15K at best guess.
Here's a pic (yes I know only 7 are showing-dlr lost 1 somewhere).
I will always change these @ 50K from now on.
The Ford dealer in MO was 50% cheaper than my original dealer in WI for replacing these plugs-so I'm glad I waited till I moved!
06 Screw 5.4L Factory Trailer Tow Pkg, 3.73 Limited Slip axle Long Bed Original Owner
I was have some hot start issues, wouldn't always fire up on 1st start on random times. Ran good otherwise, no misfire, but noticed the gas mileage was dropping off some. I was shocked how much the center electrode had worn down, wouldn't have lasted another 15K at best guess.
Here's a pic (yes I know only 7 are showing-dlr lost 1 somewhere).
I will always change these @ 50K from now on.
The Ford dealer in MO was 50% cheaper than my original dealer in WI for replacing these plugs-so I'm glad I waited till I moved!
06 Screw 5.4L Factory Trailer Tow Pkg, 3.73 Limited Slip axle Long Bed Original Owner
I measured the plug gap with a gauge-comes out to 0.60-factory setting is 0.45. So went down 0.15 in 50K miles. Would have never made it to 100K mileage interval.
07-19-2016, 01:31 AM
#924
Junior Member
Broke the electrode in half
Truck had 121k on it with no service records.
6 of 8 had very little build up. Two had lots of build up.
Guess which ones broke?
One broke the electrode in half. So that one sucked. Ended up tapping it several times to break up the porcelain, then blow it out with air to get chips out. Still couldn't get tap,in their. So prayed really hard and tapped the porcelain down even more. It went down almost 1/2 past the end of the spark plug end. Breaking the strap in the end. It didn't fall into chamber so I got a miracle. But that allowed me to get the tap back in their and thread it. Once I got some threads on it, it came out easy.
Going to get a inspection camera or borrow one to make sure nothing in chamber. Plus going to try the 1/4 hose duct taped to the vacuum to suck out the fragments if any.
6 of 8 had very little build up. Two had lots of build up.
Guess which ones broke?
One broke the electrode in half. So that one sucked. Ended up tapping it several times to break up the porcelain, then blow it out with air to get chips out. Still couldn't get tap,in their. So prayed really hard and tapped the porcelain down even more. It went down almost 1/2 past the end of the spark plug end. Breaking the strap in the end. It didn't fall into chamber so I got a miracle. But that allowed me to get the tap back in their and thread it. Once I got some threads on it, it came out easy.
Going to get a inspection camera or borrow one to make sure nothing in chamber. Plus going to try the 1/4 hose duct taped to the vacuum to suck out the fragments if any.
09-26-2016, 09:43 PM
#927
Senior Member
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10-01-2016, 02:22 PM
#929
Senior Member
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Jarod Barclay (10-01-2016)
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Jarod Barclay (10-01-2016)