Title says it all. I've recently bought a 2008 with the 5.4. It has about 80,000 miles. I like to go through a vehicle and do all the maintenance when I get it so I know it's been done. It's time for a transmission service and fuel filter. Given the reports on how the spark plugs tend to break I figured while it was in the shop I'd go ahead and have that done too, by a pro.

The only place that works on cars in my small town is the Ford Dealership. This is what I was told: "If it's not misfiring then don't change them, carbon build up causes the plugs to break and it will cost between $800 and $2000 depending on how many break." He went on to say that they were "lifetime plugs" anyway and there is no need to change them.

First, my "lifetime" on a Vehicle is to shoot for 250,000 miles. Second, neglecting maintenance until there is a problem just seems stupid. Third the TSB for the Spark plugs was released in 2006. I have a 2008, giving Ford time to modify or fix the design flaw. Fourth, Wouldn't changing the part sooner before excessive carbon build up be better that waiting for it to fail from carbon build up?

I've done the plugs on my 2000 4.2 F150, and my 2003 4.0 Explorer, but since the newer engines are getting beyond my skill-set I figured "let the pros handle it" But for $800+ I think I might be back to DIY or finding a different mechanic.

What advice and info can you give me?

 

08 Supercrew XLT 5.4L Flex 114,000 on change.

I had the plugs changed and went with Accel coilpacks...No broken plugs here...the plugs are not the long type. Infact if you decide to change the coilpack, remove one coilpack and measure the length before ordering. Otherwise you'll be sending them back for the right size. School of hard knox.

 

Yes they redesigned the heads in 08 and use redesigned spark plugs that don't break. Replace at 100,000 miles as the manual says.

I understand replacing things before a failure but I think in your case replacing the spark plugs and coils now would sorta be pissing money away early.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to investigate this further. The magic date seems to be 10/2007 for the engine build date. I wasn't impressed with the dealership here in town. I'm going to call around Odessa (40 miles from me) and see about prices.

 

Save yourself some money and do it yourself, it's not as hard as it sounds, just have the lisle tool on hand (if you have the early style heads) before you start on the plugs to be safe.

 

From Everything I've found both here and elsewhere if you have brown coils on your 2008 you have the redesigned spark plugs. If you have the black coils you have the two piece design. I have the black design.

Surprisingly, compared to the 97-2004 5.4 the spark plugs seem much easier to get to. I'll buy the right tools for the job and start doing the pre-change "tricks" (Fuel system additives, etc).

 

That's right, I have the TSB still handy. The heads were changed in October of 2007, I can't remember where I've posted it here. You should be one of the fortunate ones! . Not me haha. None broke on my last change however I could clearly see where they were binding upon removal. I followed the TSB in my case and left additional time for the Motorcraft Carb Tune up cleaner to seek in.

 

I have an 08 with black coils. The plugs were changed at 70k and it has 125k now. I'm going to be changing them soon.

 

I came across that post in my Google-fu. I'll be following that to the letter. Thanks.

 

If you have the brown boots on your coils your spark plugs are completely normal. I changed mine in about 1 hour taking it very slow. did them at 80k miles. Blow the dirt away that is around the boot seals before pulling them off. 14mm (9/16ths works as well) spark plug socket or long socket is useful.