Well I decided over the weekend to break down and do mine.....here is what I have so far. Mine is an 06 and I bought it used three years ago and of course had no idea if they had been changed or not. I have been in and worked in the automotive market for around 12 years and this had been the only maintenance job to terrify me! I have been procrastinating for 2 years to do it. So here we go, I had a guy from a Ford dealer tell me to use an impact on them and They wouldn't break. I was extremely reluctant seeing as how these are aluminum heads.....many ppl use seafoam and say "it helped". I run Amsoil injector cleaner and of course its all opinion and who really knows if it does help. First I did spray som PB blaster in each plug hole before starting. The first plug I used a ratchet and it did break, I already had the Lisle removal tool and it worked like a charm! The second and third plug I used an impact and it brought them out in one piece. If you do decide to use an impact use low setting and use shirt bursts, once the plug begins to turn BACK off the trigger and go slow, the vibration of the impact breaks the carbon loose. The number 4 plug I couldnt an impact on and yes it broke. Cylinders 5 thru 8 all came out in one piece using the impact. Ok so now I've been at it for 9 hours and have a 7 plugs DONE. Here is the problem have and I PRAY someone can help. The number 4 cylinder did not break the typical way they do, if anyone has removed a broken plug you will understand what I am asking. The first plug broke"correctly", meaning when the upper porcelain was pulled out the electrode came with it and the pusher tool was able to push the remaining porcelain into the tip and the extractor pulled it right out. Now, #4 broke in pieces and the electrode still remains in the tip therefore the pusher tool cannot push the porcelain down to allow the extractor to thread into the tip. Also I cannot see down the plug hole without a mirror and flashlight. I had a buddy suggest disabling the fuel and ignition and crank the engine in hopes it might blow the tip out, I'm somewhat uneasy attempting that. Has anyone had this happen or have ANY ideas how to get it out WITHOUT removing the head???????????? Please help!!!

 

Yeah this happened to me as well...I had to go to Advanced Auto and get a pair of long needle nose pliars. It took a while but finally I ripped the rod out of the porcelain and was left with a decent amount of porcelain still left in the head. I crushed it up as best I could and then sucked the porcelain pieces out with a shop vac w/ a hose attached. I then used the Lisle tool and extracted the piece that was still in the head. Is #4 the on the passenger side or driver side? I cant remember, but if it is on the passenger side, remove the computer and the retaining bracket so you got more room to work. Good luck man....Definitely worth doing it yourself than getting a dealer to do it for 600 bucks.

 

In December I finished my spark plug extraction project. Like you, I had the plugs under the dash break. However, I did not immediately realize that the electrode was still attached to the porcelain in the spark plug hole. I proceeded to use the Lisle porcelain crusher tool. It did take some force, but I was able to bottom out the tool and then use the extraction tool to catch and pull it out. Once I realized that the electrode had broken off and was still in the spark plug hole, I was nervous and did as much vaccuuming as possible before starting the engine.

I would agree that if you can pull out the electrode first before crushing the porcelain, that is the way to go. However, while not recommended, I can attest to the fact that I was able to crush the porcelain and push the electrode down and everything thing is OK.

I attempted to attach a picture of my extracted plugs. The two on the right had the electrode broken off, and it is seated in the crushed porcelain piece below.....

 

The #4 is the rear on the passenger side, I have removed the computer and bracket for extra room but as you guys know its still a real pain in a** to get to in there to work. I hate you had two break like mine with the electrode still in the tip but I am glad someone can share my pain. The pic u sent is exactly what I'm facing, thanks!!

 

I had a few do that, too. I used needle nose pliers and was able to rip the electrode out and then use the Lisle tool.

 

If you can get a pliers in there and rip out the electrode, the Lisle tool will work better. Since I had the electrode still in the spark plug hole, it did take more time and effort to crush the porcelain down.

Once the porcelain was crushed and I was working on the back plugs, I had trouble getting any leverage on the extraction tool. I ended up using a small hammer "lady/household version" and was able to "tap" the extraction tool to get more pressure on "starting it". Once started, they came out easily.

btw, I ended up taking off the throttle body as well to get more access over the engine for the back plugs.

 

I broke 5 out of 8 just like you MN...and broke them every way possible.

 

I have a cold air intake on mine and did remove it for the driver side but I have plenty of room on the pass side. I'm gonna try some long needle nose tonight and see if I can get ahold of it. I will keep you guys posted. I appreciate all the support!!!

 

I am going through the same dilema right now too, but not because of my truck, but because of my dads truck. He has got an 06 f150 5.4 and his truck has 80k miles exactly. We took it to a local mechanic and it has been in his shop for the past two days having this work done. We are freeking out a little bit. Our local mechanic started removing the plugs and the first one came out fine. The other two broke and got stuck. He has been soaking it over night with some kind some kind of fluid. He warned us today that he can continue to remove them, but that if one breaks and he cannot get them out with the isle tool, or any of the other tools than he is going to have to remove the heads to remove the plugs.. He says that this will cost around $1, 200 to have this work done. Now im freaking out because that is a lot of money that we dont have now. The mechanic is charging us a fair price to change the plugs $252 for all the plugs installed including parts. Im just wondering how comon is it that
The heads have to be removed? He is just warning us that this is a possibility. We dont know what to do.....help......

 

Me too. Except all of mine broke and one was stripped! Overall this job isn't terribly difficult if you have the proper tools. You should have a pair of needle nose pliers with you just in case. You'll be able to get it out, it's not as bad as you think.