Does the "5" code engine still have the same spark plug issues as the older ones? Mine has the black coil packs and I've been the ones with the brown coils uses a different updated plug design?

Just bought this truck this week and it has 171k and is a extended cab 4x4 with an 8' foot bed (bus!) How hard is it to change the dip stick tube on this engine (rusted on the inside) ? Thanks in advance!... KennyJoe

 

I think the 5 just denoted whether it was flex fuel or not...

Look on the drivers side valve cover towards the back... You will see a sticker with an engine build date on it... If after 10/07 then you're good. Also look at the coil boots not the coil pack, brown signifies updated heads.

 

^^^ this ^^^ and being that your motor has 171k miles on it, pretty sure the plugs have been changed before.. in this case you should have the up-dated SP515 plugs even if you do not have the re-designed heads. Don't forget to replace the boots and springs while you are doing the plug change.

 

This may be a dumb question but here goes. Can the updated heads be fitted to the older engine? Thanks, Kenny

 

I work at O'Reilly's Auto Parts and I'm going to pull a set of them when I get to work and look at them. (SP515) I'm assuming these are the best plugs out there for the ones with the plug issues? Right now it's running fine but I'm 60 years old and plan on this being my last truck purchase so I want to make it last even though I put 250 miles a week on it for work. Thanks for your help....Kenny

 

As far as I understand it to be, yes. The only difference is the spark plugs.

 

Huh... I had brown boots, a 2/17/07 build date and broke 6 of 8 plugs.

 

Not possible or someone installed incorrect boots .. what plugs were in there ?