offthehook

from what Ive heard the only motors affected by this ****-poor design is the 04-08 5.4s. the 09 model supposedly has been redisigned but it is to early to tell.

Ruprecht

That engineer got a bonus, a raise, and is currently designing a motor that requires complete removal from vehicle for plug or oil changes.

bloodvette

punch him once from me too.

BJV269SS

I've been through the plug thing. Although you should never try the job without the removable tool, I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. I did my own and it just was not quite as bad as everyone seems to make it sound. I did have one break too.
I'd kick the guy in the *****... It would be more memorable

JackDW

Based upon most of what I have read lately, the owners who are doing theirs seem to be very sucessful. It seems its the dealerships that have most of the trouble. Seems it is not unusual for a dealership tech to break 6 to 8 plugs. I guess to them, no big deal, the customer will pay of it.

BJV269SS

Believe me ...DON'T BE FOOLED! I was a tech for 27 years back in the day when a flat rate tech could push out 80 hours worth of flat rate work in just 40 hours. My favorite was, I worked @ a Porsche, Audi, Mercedes dealer in Boston, exhaust manifold studs on #5 cyl. in the Audi 5000. It was a situation where the studs broke on every car that was on the road!I got so good at doing the job I could take the car in and put it back out in under an hour and 45 min. I made a bag full doing it. Some times there was only one stud broken but some guys would claim 2 were broken and get paid for it. The job paid 3 hours if I remember. Today is much different. Everything has changed for the flat rate guy. The spark plug issue with the 5.4 engine is their exhaust manifold job if you will.

My dealer wanted 4 hours to do the job at 89.50 per hour and an extra hour to remove each plug they broke. Then they wanted 25.00 for each new plug! After having worked in the business I know that all 8 plugs could possibly break off in the head or the threads could become crossed. Anything like that could happen but it's highly unlikely it could happen to every hole. If they did all break the Lisel special tool is the saving grace for the job. I broke only one and it took me 15 minutes to get it out and that included the time to read and figure out how to use the tool. My point is they are making money off the problem. Buy the tool and plug socket and do it your self. It realy is no big deal!