Martian

I have an 05 with the 5.4. The spark plugs were no issue for me, although they did take 12hrs to do. The timing equipment took me quite a while, but the only problems I had on startup were a faulty power steering pump and I forgot to plug the throttle body back in. Other than that, it's been pretty much a breeze... regular fluid changes, buying gas with PEA or adding some on my own, throwing some Kreen in the oil once in a while, not too many other problems. I did have to get my drive shaft re-balanced once for an unknown reason, but that was cheap. I rebuilt my parking brake because the scissor lever rusted, but all that cost me was a few hours (oh darn, what ever will I do sitting here with a wire brush and a beer, tough life) and some PB blaster. I haven't had a problem with my FPDM. The only other issue I think was my driver door window master switch box, and that fix was just me flipping the switch box over and shoving the wires back into their pin connectors. That's free. Yeah, I love this truck, it's got 133kmi on it right now and I want to replace all the suspension components and keep it going for another 70,000 at least. Shouldn't be hard.

97Widerider

THanks for all the help. I stopped by my trusted auto shop on the way home and inquiried about how much a spark plug change would cost on a 5.4l. With a smile he said, "it all depends". I knew where this was going. He obviously knew about the spark plug issues, as well as timing chain failures, and gave me some sound advice along with a quote.


He repeated pretty much everything I have read about carbon buildup, OEM plugs breaking at removal etc. He further stated that he has yet to have one where he did not have it break upon removal. He talked about the special tool to retreive the other half of it, the difficulty of the harder to reach plugs etc. etc. He said that he would recommend the Champion upgraded plugs at time of installation. He said that a best case scenario (with the expected broken plug or two) would be anywhere between $300 - $400 range. He said he hasn't seen a bill reach over $1000.00 yet for plug removal even in the worse case scenario. He recommended that I run about 2 tanks of premium through it and maybe some Seafoam to help remove some of the carbon before I bring it in. He said the carbon is typically what causes the breakage. He has not seen one yet that "threw" a plug.


He then started in on the timing chain and the importance of keeping oil changes under the 5,000 mile mark to include always using the correct weight of oil. He said they are very particular engines. Good news for me is that the current mileage of the truck is 75,000 miles so I figure about 7,000 miles a year on a ten year old truck. Even with two oil changes a year, that would be under the 5k mark. Lets hope previous owner changed it regularly.


In conclusion, if the present owner tells me that the oil changes were done at least twice a year with correct viscosity, then I will probably take my chances with the plugs. Even better news would be that the previous owner upgraded the plugs already.


I am hoping for the best and will know more next week. Maybe I will be posting some pictures of my new F150 by the end of the month. Thanks again for all the advice.

Christiancito

I would jump on it hands down!!! Don't even think about it dude

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

He's not a very good mechanic if he has broke every plug he has ever removed from a 5.4 3 valve engine. I have removed 8 in my life and had none break. This is on a 113K mile engine. The timing chain doesn't fail, the phasers fail causing low oil pressure. Many hate Champion plugs, some like them, I won't recommend them at all. There is some truth in his advice about oil change frequency and weight of the oil, other than that I would look for a different mechanic. But buy the truck on the condition that if the plugs haven't been changed, that the seller gets that done for you.

dom07

Wow.

I've changed exactly 6 sets of plugs in 2004-2008 5.4 3v motors (F/E-series). One plug broke, and I attribute that to me rushing it. Whatever he's doing isn't working.

Bad advice. Stick with the Motorcraft plugs installed properly. They updated the part.

Premium fuel? Really? Come on. It's all about the detergents, not the octane rating. He got the Seafoam tip right, but whiffed it on the premium fuel thing. He SHOULD have told you to find a Chevron, and run 2 tanks of their gas through it and a can of Seafoam on the 2nd (the Seafoam is insurance, Techron really is amazing stuff as detergents go).


Totally right. The VCT system is extremely particular about oil. It needs to be changed regularly, and kept to the factory specified weights. It's almost like the engine builder, I dunno, tested it all... it amazes me that people think they know better than the millions of dollars and thousands of hours worth of testing that goes into a production motor.

If you're comfortable with his price, he's obviously earned your trust somehow -- go for it. We're just a bunch of internet keyboard cowboys, what do we know? :-)

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Dom nailed it!

PerryB

Yes he did.

I would add: remove the plugs with the engine up to operating temp. They'll squawk for the first turn or two but they'll come out. I changed four, re-warmed the engine by driving a few miles and then changed the other four. This was at 96,000 mi. and none broke. I strongly suggest you get a telescoping extension for doing this job as it allows you to be at exactly the right height for each plug to get the best swing possible with the ratchet and stay directly over the plug. I think a lot of plugs are broken due to improper tools which cause you to put a side load on the plug while applying torque. My '05 - FX4 (5.4) has been excellent.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

PerryB, that is exactly how I changed mine!

PerryB

It just seemed to me they would be less likely to stick while hot because the threads are expanded and the carbon is softer. It was either a stroke of genius or a stroke, not sure which....

ColdinCanada

I've got that exact truck. 250,000 on her now and the engine has never been opened up for anything other than two sets of plugs. No fuss no muss. You scratch these trucks back and they'll scratch yours with years of dedicated service.

I love my truck and I paid less than 5 grand for it because the guy couldn't get it to start and thought the engine had crapped out. I tested compression (all plugs came out easy) and bought it from the guy. Towed it home. One FPDM later and was tearing around town. Knowledge is power!