hms79

I have a 2004 Lariat 5.4L 4X4. Recently, I have spent a lot of money on this truck (Cam Sensor that went out, brakes, tires, rear axle seal) and I am considering a tune up. It doesn't run bad or miss, but at 130,000 miles, I am sure it is in need of plugs. The thing is, my Haynes manual tells me that with this particular model 5.4L, this is a job best left to a professional.

I know it has some sort of two piece plug, but is it really that hard to do? Trying to save myself a little money here, your thoughts are appreciated.

Mod (Ret.)

Read the sticky at the top of this forum....then decide if you're up to the task. You'll want the specialized tool, and time....

Those who have done it are mixed; some say it was not a problem, others have said it was a PITA. It all depends on your honest mechanical skills.

hms79

I have modest mechanical skills. I changed the alternator, which was easy enough, except for space, which made me angry. Got to say, I love my truck, but I am not a fan of the 5.4. It seems complicated to repair, and lacks the power my old Bronco had with the 5.8. Wish my truck had a 5.8!

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Can alway find a clean 96 F-150 with a 5.8....I know what your saying I miss my 5.8 too...it would light up the off road tires in 4WD...

hms79

I was always a big Bronco fan. I loved my 96 Bronco, and wish I hadn't sold it. I love my F-150, but it isn't nearly as fun as my Bronco was. Its a Lariat, too fancy to off road with, and that's what I miss.

flamehead16

make sure to use kano aerokroil to penetrate the carbon and let it sit for an hour up to 2 the let it weep through the threads.

im doing my tune up here within a couple weeks. shopping around for a parts list for plugs, spark plug removal tool, and for 9/16 socket

hms79

I also read on here where someone used Seafoam for about two weeks prior to changing out the plugs, to clean up the carbon deposits on the plugs maybe? Also, I use Lucas oil treatment, the make Lucas to go in the fuel system, and I have never been a big fan of Seafoam.

flamehead16

you can use seafoam. for actully recomends using kano aerokroil and all the reviews i read on it that people used it on rusted stuff and it makes it come out with ease.

kozal01

iTrader: (2)

Click the link in my sig for a walk through on the plug change.

txspikes

Thanks to Kozal01's writeup, I was able to successfully change my plugs without breaking any. I really think if I'd tried to wrench 'em out by hand, I would have broken some. The air impact method worked great! I was able to do it with a small pancake compressor and inexpensive air gun. I turned the output on the compressor to 60 psi and went to work following Kozal01's write-up as best I could.

Some of the plugs took an extra shot of penetrating oil... and I had to let the compressor catch up... but I was eventually able to get them all out.

My truck is a '06 F150 KR with 77,530 miles on it. The truck had started bucking on light acceleration between 40 and 50 mph. Changing the spark plugs cleared that right up.

Oh yeah... I also ran a heavy concentration of Seafoam a day or two before I tackled the job. I added a can to a little over a 1/4 tank.