Topic Sponsor
Maintenance Shop Keep your Ford F150 truck running strong. Discuss all things maintenance here.

Changing spark plugs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-20-2017, 01:34 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
KurtCo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Changing spark plugs

Does anyone have some tips on changing plugs so they don’t break off??
Old 10-20-2017, 06:48 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Meathead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 749
Received 132 Likes on 100 Posts

Default

What year and engine?
Old 10-20-2017, 07:22 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
KurtCo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

2006 5.4l
Old 10-20-2017, 08:31 AM
  #4  
Mark
iTrader: (1)
 
techrep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Va. Beach, VA.
Posts: 36,870
Received 2,417 Likes on 2,118 Posts

Default

Mileage ? have the plugs ever been changed before ?
Old 10-20-2017, 08:45 AM
  #5  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
KurtCo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

154,000 and I’m not sure I bought it with about 118,000 I would like to think they have but I’m really not sure.
Old 10-20-2017, 10:07 AM
  #6  
'97 F150 V8 4.6L
 
RangoWA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: WA State
Posts: 1,965
Received 81 Likes on 67 Posts

Default

There's no magic wand involved. Having the right tools and knowing how to use them is what it's all about. Don't get in a hurry with a job like that.
Old 10-20-2017, 10:11 AM
  #7  
Mark
iTrader: (1)
 
techrep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Va. Beach, VA.
Posts: 36,870
Received 2,417 Likes on 2,118 Posts

Default

with 154K miles on that motor.. I'll bet they have been changed. pull and easy cylinder first like #1 or #5 and see if it is a SP515.. if so, you are good to go..
Old 10-20-2017, 10:14 AM
  #8  
Texas A&M Aggie
 
tareed94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pasadena, TX
Posts: 7,515
Received 1,344 Likes on 976 Posts

Default

Alright having owned one, and having broken only one plug I'll chime in here.

My process from what I had found online. Run a tank with a good complete system cleaner in it (I used Gumout). Once that tank is empty, remove your coils and boots. Loosen the spark plugs 1/4 turn, then spray liquid wrench or some other kind of penetrating oil in all of the holes with the engine warm, NOT HOT. You should be able to touch the engine without burning yourself. Let that sit at least overnight. The next day you'll want to put an impact wrench on it and get after it. Once it starts turning it will make some awful noises but DO NOT STOP. If you stop and restart it will break.

I used that method on mine at 125,000 I believe. We broke one plug (at the back under the computer). When we looked at the batch numbers, they all matched except that one and it looked a lot older. We suspected the previous owner had replaced 7/8 of the plugs. I advise buying the Lisle extractor tool (check the classifieds here) to have on standby in case you break one. We didn't do that and had to wait about 4 days of the truck sitting in the driveway.
Old 10-20-2017, 07:21 PM
  #9  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
KurtCo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Right on thanks fellas. Anyone have a preference for plugs or ones to stay away from?
Old 10-20-2017, 08:01 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Arizona Tumbleweed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bridger, Montana
Posts: 491
Received 35 Likes on 30 Posts
Default

I just bought a 2006 with 121,000 miles on it. All 8 plugs broke so I'm waiting on my Lisle extractor tool from Amazon. I saw an interesting tool online but I can't remember the name. It's a plug socket but it also grips the porcelain so they both have to turn.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:15 AM.