KingRanch4Life

iTrader: (2)

Kozal,
This is exactly what I was looking for.... I am about to tackle mine and I would have never thought to remove the brackets..... Thanks for the info and photos...

boozie

The plug removal tool works absolutley great, just wish i knew about it before i tried to drill out two off my plugs!! Im now in the process of reoving the heads to get the broken plugs out that fell inside arhhh!!!
I would have paid $1000 for the tool knowing the stress im going through now

ToughFX4

Ouch!!!!! What were you thinking? Were you gonna try and tap them out after you drilled into them? You need a mechanic! lol

WVsmith

Just changed mine today. Had about 7-8 hours start to finish in it. Broke 5 out of 8 plugs. Thank goodness for the lisle tool

PRNDL

Love this write up!

j2dabizo

I plan on tackling my spark plugs this weekend on my 2007 Explorer V8 4.6.

Quick question, did anyone perform this WITHOUT using an electric/air ratchet?

Did anyone do it by hand? And if so what were the results?

Trying to see doing it by hand vs power tool and seeing the results.

Thanks guys...dreading this weekend lol

jbhill

i dont recall the explorers or any 4.6 having the 2 piece plugs. it can be done with out it, but its the sideways torque from the ratchet that puts stress on the side and may break them if it does have the 2 piece.

tomb1269

Autolite is the manufacture of the Motorcraft plugs and they have a removal bulliten
You are supposed to be able to remove the plugs without breaking.
http://www.autolite.com/products/spa...st#product-425
Service Procedure - Removal
Tools Necessary:
Thin wall 9/16” spark plug socket, various length extensions
and ratchet. (Do not use a standard deep well socket)
Beam or dial style torque wrench, (non clicking type).
Carbon dissolving carburetor cleaner.
Compressed air and blow gun.
Shop Vacuum.
Nickel Anti-Seize.
IMPORTANT: You MUST adhere to this procedure exactly to
prevent breaking spark plugs during removal! Engine must
be completely cold (room temperature) before beginning.
Spark Plug Removal

1. Remove coil on plug assemblies and set aside. Using compressed air and shop vac, clean spark plug wells of all dirt and debris.
2. Using a ratchet, back out each spark plug 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn. Fill the spark plug well with carburetor cleaner to just above the hex on the spark plug. (½ to 1 teaspoon) (see illustration #2).
3. Allow a minimum of 30 minutes soak time for the carb cleaner to wick down to the ground electrode shield and soften the carbon deposits at this time.
   
   NOTES: Review the product label on the carburetor cleaner and adhere to all precautionary statements. Use at room temperature with appropriate PPE, (personal protective equipment).
4. Tighten and then loosen the spark plugs working them back and forth to remove. Use the beam style torque wrench and do not exceed 33ft. lbs. removal torque (see illustration #3). If more than 33ft. lbs. is required; place an additional ½ teaspoon of carb cleaner in the well and wait another 15-30 minutes for the carbon to dissolve.
5. Repeat the back and forth effort working the spark plug loose. Some screeching and high effort will be noticed. Remove the spark plugs.
6. Using the shop vac and a small hose, clean out the plug well and combustion chambers of excessive carb cleaner.
   
   WARNING: Excessive carburetor cleaner in the combustion chamber can cause the engine to hydro lock, remove as much as possible.Spark Plug Installation
   
7. New plugs should be installed using a thin film coating of high temperature nickel anti-seize on the ground electrode shield. DO NOT coat the ground strap. (see illustration 4)
8. Tighten spark plugs to 25ft lbs.

Tradesman

I'm planning on doing this myself shortly but I am concerned about using the Lisle tool. Can someone describe and/or post pictures of how to use the Lisle tool if the spark plug breaks? Thanks!

I was quoted $480 from an independent shop to replace the spark plugs, parts and labour. However, they mentioned that they would charge $100 for each spark plug that broke. Damn!

OldMansTruck

I did my buddies truck last week and we didn't have any break at all. He was willing to pay a tow bill and a mechanic bill so i was willing to try it on his truck. Took 5 or 6 hours because O'Reiley's didn't know the difference in COP and COP Boots.