Driving home last night and my 5.4 popped a plug out on the passenger side, one back from the front. I am plenty familiar with the plug issues on these motors. It happened late and I have not had a chance to look it over good.


My question is could it be the plug just backed out over time and finally came out? It did not blow the coil off or break it at the tab which seems to be common. I think the plug is still sitting down in there actually.


How can I test this when I get ready to diagnose my issue to determine if it needs the hole bored/tapped/and sleeved or not?


Thanks

 

Test it by seeing if you can screw it back in and get it to 30 ft pounds. If it holds, you're good for now. If not, you're going to have to get an insert.

It could back out over time and not damage and threads.

 

Just what I was looking for - thank you. That was my fear if it was to hold partially how could I test it to ensure there was enough strength.


If not I may be writing a check to TimeSert...

 

Update: old plug was still in there. It's beat up bad. New plug will just barely start then locks up. If the threads in the head look anything like the threads on the plug they're about beat shut. Anybody ever chased these before with success?

 

Pics

 

Do they call that negativeg spark gap? Lol.

Luckily #2 is am easy one to get at. Try a thread chaser, worth a shot before spending money on the insert.

 

Man, that one blasted out of there lol. Make sure you grease down the chaser first, then re-torque the others before calling it quits. There's a good chance they will be coming out soon...since they probably weren't torqued correctly as well. That's the ONLY reason (unless they were cross threaded) they come out, -not enough torque holding them down..

 

Looks like I'm gonna have to bore it and use an insert. I've looked at the TimeSert but many of the other kits have good reviews too and I can save $100-$200.

So, of those with experience with these what do you recommend?

 

I can get the Calvan 38900-1 with a single insert for $170 then order more inserts if needed. Seems this reams it to the smallest size so if it fails again I would have to step up to a larger reamer and insert.

 

Yea, that's a top notch kit. Lisle has one now I believe, I'm not sure how those are panning out , but they're cheap. Just don't use anything heli-coil or like.

Since there's SO MANY people that buy these higher dollar kits, then off them on eBay, I'd look there. Since used is practically new anyway.

If you look up Time Sert rental, there's a guy on this site that rents them. There's a guy at F 150 on line that rents them as well.