Has any one tried replacing plugs on one of those motors yet??? It is quite possibly one of the dumbest or ill thought out designs ive ever encountered. I helped a friend last night and we both wish we had never started. Plug changes should be a simple procedure, not on these motors. There is a WHOLE procedure just for loosening the plug so that the stupid design doesnt break off in the head (which 2 did) that ford had to design a tool to remove(thats not cheap) . We talked to the local ford dealer which just shook their head because they have been dealing with this for some time now said they would remove the 2 broken plugs for 50 bucks.

Said goofy plug (in red is what snaps off in the cyl head, blue is where it snaps off from) should have been made in 1 piece instead of 2 piece(yes the lower metal piece is seperate from the upper threaded area)

 

Very aware of this, Sooooooooo stupid. I was looking at getting a truck for awhile and came across this in my research. This is a real turn off for the 5.4L.

 

yep only 7 of 8 get changed by most dealers

 

It effects a lot of vehicles

FORD: 2005-2008 Mustang
2004-2008 F-150
2005-2008 Expedition, F-Super Duty
2006-2008 Explorer, F-53 Motorhome Chassis
2007-2008 Explorer Sport Trac
LINCOLN: 2005-2008 Navigator
2006-2008 Mark LT
MERCURY: 2006-2008 Mountaineer

 

Yeah, those things are a real bitch. I feel sorry for you and your friend. Years ago I had a Lightning that would actually thread the plugs out while under boost. The damn things were only threaded in about two revolutions.


Terry

 

it costs quite a bit to change all 8 on these things

 

I've seen between 250-350 at the stealer, but for the hassle involved I would probably just let them do it.

 

If I remember correctly, Ford used these "revolutionary" spark plugs as an advertising gimmick for their trucks.

 

Yeah, it's a big pain in the ass to change plugs on those.

Snap-On does make a relatively affordable tool to handle those plugs that break:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....store&tool=all

http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/Arti...actor_kit.aspx

 

My F250 has the 3V 5.4L that I have been avoiding changing the plugs on because of this. It's time to set a day aside and get it done though as it started hard the last time I used it. I'll let you know how it goes when I do mine as well.

 

What was the idea behind this design? Better spark?

This reminds me of GM's optispark system that they brilliantly placed below a leaky water pump.

 

The new Federal Mogul plug resolves the spark plug issues in the Ford motors:

http://www.autocarepronews.com/Artic..._vehicles.aspx

 

Yea we saw that. Unfortunately thats what needs to be put in the car from the beginning.