Alright here it goes.....I have an 06 ford explorer wit a 4.6 3v. I had a p0304 code. I checked my coil and injecter and found my plugs to be the problem. So as any diy would do i decided to change my plugs myself. I should've known there was gonna be a problem when autozone was the cheapest on mc plugs at $11.99 a piece. I got those, a fuel filter, and 2 cans of seafoam.

i started taking my plugs out about 3-4 hours after i got my parts and thats when my problems started. I was only able to get 1 out of 8 out without breaking. I called a buddy and he has the tool to pull the broken plugs out. Well after removing the 3rd plug I had to stop because the self tapping screw was worn out. With the tool replaced I started a again and to my surprise it had happened again but while I was pulling a plug out. Needless, to say the broken plug is still in the head.

Question 1:how do i get that out???

Question 2:how do I repair the threads, because one of the plugs pulled the first couple of threads out of the head.


PLEASE UNDER EVERYTHING THAT IS HOLY IN FORD HELP ME......

 

Umm, maybe take the heads off and scrap them and buy new performance heads. Thats honestly the easiest route to go, expensive but hey it will work and the issue will be gone for good.

 

I would try chasing the threads with a tap first.I'm not sure if a heli coil will work in a head or not if a tap doesn't do it. You will probably have to pull the head to get the piece unless you can find a way to fish it out.

 

Get another puller tap and keep going. You need to make sure you are vacuuming all of the porcelain pieces out after you break them. The porcelain is what tears up the tap. You can also try calling lisle (assuming you are using the lisle tool)talk to their engineering department.

 

taking the head off is out of the question.....i have no other vehicle to drive, plus i only have 12 more payments left and i own it. i am using the lisle tool to push the procelin further down. i have a small air compressor that im using to blow the procelin out. would u happen to know what size tap i could use to chase the threads by any chance.

i was wondering if i could use the ford tool to pull the procelin out that i pushed further down and then use the lisle tool to pull the broken plug out.

i do appreciate all the help though

 

Not sure what you mean by using the ford tool to pull the porcelain out? When you push the porcelain down make sure you bottom out the pusher, you may break the ground strap but it should only break on one side keeping the porcelain from falling in the cylinder. That will allow you to get the most grip with the supplied tap. If the first few threads are rounded over on your extractor, get a new one. You definitely do not want to risk breaking the tap off in the head. If you still can't get it call Lisle engineering. They may be able to offer assistance or suggest a different tool. I believe the first iteration of the tsb had you glue an extract to the broken piece to remove it.
The tap roughly looks like 3/8-16...if i were to use homemade version I would probably go with a fine thread to get more thread engagement. I can tell you that the outside diameter of the shield is .390 on the old style plug so would think a 3/8 tap would be a close match.