No argument. But - what most folks don't realize is the carrier burns off in a short time, leaving behind the nickel 'nodules' to act as a barrier. And they also eventually lose their effectiveness over time as more carbon builds up.

So the longer the plugs are in there, the greater the chance of subsequent separation as the binding torque begins to exceed the 2-piece plug's crimp joint strength.

This is very old news. Just like the Champions are very old news.

MGD

 

I hear ya on the old news. seems it's an ongoing thread topic others have missed or too lazy to look back through all of the threads on this.


Why not just go back with the Champions and be through with it!

 

Have to absolutely disagree with that video. Reports on this and other Ford forums strongly suggest that many more plugs end up broken when not using an impact than when using one. In fact, most of the reports I've seen suggest that the best success is had when the plugs are impacted out on a hot engine. To say that this cannot be done is simply flat wrong, given the large amount of empirical evidence of success reported with the hot impact method on this and other forms.

I broke three plugs between two engines using the hot impact method. Those plugs were easily removed with the Lisle tool. All three were on my father's truck, which had 15K less miles than mine. I think that in some cases, these plugs are simply going to break no matter what method is used to remove them. But, to say that the hot impact method cannot be used is absolutely incorrect. It appears to have been used with more success than any other method.

 

Did my plugs this weekend. 2004 with 120K on it and guessing they were the original plugs based on their condition. Sprayed PB blaster in the plug wells the prior two days. Then used an impact wrench with the engine cold. Had my dad slowly turn up the regulator on the air compresser while I had the impact on the plugs to back them off slowly. Broke 2 plugs, which the Lisle tool pulled like cake. Looking at the old plugs, there was no evidence the PB blaster penetrated at all. I don't know i would use a penetrating oil again.

 

^^^

Hi.

Why would you expect it to? You did not break the gas seal. No penetrant on Earth will do that. That's why the procedure specifies ever-so-slightly cracking the plugs first to allow the solvent to wick down. And then allow ample time for it to work. And work it does (MC PM-2 does anyway - all I've ever used). Otherwise don't bother.

BTW - if the plugs you pulled were PZT1F or PZT2F, they are almost certainly original.

MGD

 

Not that i expected it to work miracles, it was more of a "might as well" deal. I can see where there might be some effect when the TSB procedure is used, however I had already decided to just impact them out and hope for the best knowing I already had the extraction tool on hand.

 

Far more than "might". The carbon bond is indeed lessened. I've proven that to myself many times already. You'll never know if those 2 you broke would have come out intact, as initial loosening and soaking can also be utilized even with the impact method. Just sayin'.

BTW - good job on the removal!

MGD

 

Hey guys new to the forum here. I did not have good luck changing the plugs. I had 6/8 break on me. Of those 6 i have removed 5 with the tool. I cant seem to get the last broken one out. the extractor wont tap into the plug. Any ideas?

 

how did it break? how much porcelin were you able to push down? Can you upload a pic of the broken piece?

Don't give up hope just yet!

 

Well is #8 so i can't see anything back there. it broke off the lower third of the plug. (i can post pic when i get home tonight) As far has porcelin being pushed down...i had the pusher pin set all the way down in the other piece. Again i cant see down there but it was the max. I was considering putting everything else back together except the one and giving her a crank...Think it would pop out?