2000 F150 Triton 5.4L #&*@!! = $$$$$$$

[kebo]

Well, put my 2000 F150 in the Quicklube shop today for a very simple thing.... I just wanted the plugs changed out, right? Any decent greasepit mechanic should be able to handle such a simple task, right? Well, get a call at work and the mechanic gave me some news that sent chills throughout my wallet. I think I even puckered up some too, like when your tractor starts leaning over more than you thought it would going on a sidehill!

The first plug he tried to pull out broke off flush with the head. See pic. He said the broken plug looked to be quite rusty. He pulled all 7 of the coil packs off and said far as he could tell everyone of the other 7 plugs looked to be in just as bad of shape. Lots of rust and corrosion down in the plug "well". Ok, I know I probably should have had them changed a LONG time ago. And the place I had them changed at previously might not have used any anti-seize on the plug threads. And just maybe the seals that are on the coil over plug (COP's) packs might have let some condensation in. But, still, this Autolite PLatium Plus plug looks like it's almost rusted through entirely. These are some p*sspoor looking plugs now. Sorry for the bad pic, still haven't learned to macrozoom yet.

Well, the Quicklube shop wasn't equipped to handle such "disasters" so I told him put it all back together and I would get it out of there. Called my local Ford dealer and they said bring it in and let the "experts" take care of it. Yep, they had seen it before. Btw, they wanted $115 to tow it in. I said forget that.

So, I get off work and drive it 19 miles at 55mph with a dead cylinder. (The mechanic did disconnect the fuel injection for that dead cylinder so it wouldn't pump raw gas into the exhaust). The service advisor looked at it and gave me the "oh crap" line. He was thinking the plug might have blown out, but when he saw this plug, it was obviously way worse than that.

This was right at closing so the mechanics will look at it tomorrow. Friends, in all likelihood, they are going to have to PULL BOTH CYLINDER HEADS OFF JUST TO CHANGE OUT A SET OF SPARK PLUGS!!!! Have you ever heard of such?? This simple tuneup might wind up costing me $1000-$2000 dollars!!

Anybody ever had to go through this, or know of someone else that did? Any words of encouragement out there?? This is the sort of thing that makes me think of leaving Ford in the dust and buying another truck brand, but Toyota's having their share of problems right now. I had planned on keeping this truck for a lot longer, in fact I have been setting aside some funds to get it repainted in another month or three. I really don't want to change trucks now, but I hate knowing I could go through this same scenario in another 2-4 years. Would you change trucks in this situation?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Well first off the Fords do have issues on that year truck of blowing plugs out but its few and far between. This is not the issue with your truck.

Second, your truck is 11 years old. Ok, I know its a 2000 but was probably sold in 1999. If this is one of the first issues I would say you did good.

Third, this has nothing to do with Ford. The plugs look like they were junk to start with and left in way too long. Also, the last installer probably did not use anti-seize like you said.

Give the dealer a crack at it. It may not be as bad as you think.

As for going though this issue ask any Corvette owner. My father has had a couple and there is always issues with the plugs.


Chris

 

[Scooby074]

yes this is an known issue for these trucks. We have one. When i changed the plugs last i was scared crapless.Any mechanic thats ever changed a 5.4 SHOULD know this.

Theyres a procedure to doing them. You should apply a very good penetrant like kroil to them first to loosen the corrosion. Then very gently work the plugs back and forth to loosen them up. You must stop if it gets tight.

this happens so much so theyres tools to remove the broken plugs. Rotunda (ford) makes one $$$ but there is now clones available. OTC makes one. Lisle makes one too.Better count on the better part of $100 just for the tool.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lisle-Ford-Triton-Broken-spark-plug-sleeve-extractor_W0QQitemZ310200500400QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20100215?IMSfp=TL100215124014r19894

If the tool doesnt work then your pulling the heads. Yes thats 2k likely closer to 3. Most shops wont commit to a price either. They usually bill this out per hour. And it can get way up there.

The problem is caused by the plugs siezing in their bore. Theyre is a section of unthreaded plug (electrode shield) that is in the combustion chamber thats where it siezes and carbons up. Ill try and find a pic.

When you replace the plugs theyres a do not exceed spec of something like 15 ftlbs. More than that and youll strip out the head. then youll spit plugs. can you say $$$

Heres fords TSB on plug removal and what to do if you break a plug 06-15-2***SPARK PLUG REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS - 5.4 3V

Do to the issues with these heads you should really change the plugs frequently. Like 50000 kms or less. Cheap insurance.And use motorcraft plugs. If they dont get carboned up and corroded changing them is no issue.

I understand that the plug design was new for this engine series. Its a BAD design IMHO,


Heres a video direct from ford showing how to remove. It does a good job of showing why this happens. mms://multimedia.ford.com/seopts/Tech26_250k.wmv

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not to add insult to injury but I have owned 6 5.4L F-150's, my father has had 2 Expeditions with 5.4's and 2 F-150's with them, and my brother-n-law has had 3 f-150's with 5.4's and none of us have had these issues. We always changed the plugs at 30,000 miles.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

The only insult I see here is a truck engine that needs new plugs every 30k miles just so the owner can avoid a costly repair down the road...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Has nothing to do with needing them. Its just been how I have always done things. I always change oil at 3K in gas powered vehicles, 5K in diesel. New air filter and fuel filter at 15K. New plugs and tranny fluids/filter at 30K. Rad and diffs at 60K. Once you hit 60K it starts all over. Just the way I was brought up.

I like easy numbers to remember. I have 4 vehicles and plenty of other equipment to take care of along with customers stuff. Everything works out to easy math using 3K and 5K intervals.

Chris

 

[Scooby074]

The only insult I see here is a truck engine that needs new plugs every 30k miles just so the owner can avoid a costly repair down the road...

Preventative maintenance here. You can let them go to their full life, but why chance it? At least remove and inspect on a more frequent interval.

These plugs are poison, i will agree. I think ford redesigned the heads in 2008??

 

[timswi]

Preventative maintenance here. You can let them go to their full life, but why chance it? At least remove and inspect on a more frequent interval.

These plugs are poison, i will agree. I think ford redesigned the heads in 2008??

I changed the plugs in my 97 Chevy 5.7 at 125,000 for the first time..no problems at all..Came right out with no penetrating oil. And to be honest, they didn't even look like the needed changed. Ford has a massive problem with this issue as much as people want to deny it. I see it over and over again.

 

[ToaDisco]

Yep, it's a pain for sure and it should have never been a problem in the first place. Ford realized they messed up and eventually added more threads in head for the plugs.

I had a plug blow on my V10, and I was not a happy camper at the time.:laughing:

I ended up buying a kit from these guys: ++ TIME-SERT SPARK PLUG REPAIR KITS - FORD ++ Spark plug ejection problem blown out blow outs spark plugs blown out spark plugs, ford blown out spark plugs blow out spark plug defect

I was able to keep the head on (I was in college at the time and did the procedure in my dorm parking lot) and got the insert in there. I have put over 60K miles on the repair and it's holding strong.

If your planning on pulling the heads anyways, you should be able to salvage them and install the inserts. It's a pain in the *** for sure, but it is better than having to buy two new heads.

 

[roamrdb]

Well first off the Fords do have issues on that year truck of blowing plugs out but its few and far between. This is not the issue with your truck.

Second, your truck is 11 years old. Ok, I know its a 2000 but was probably sold in 1999. If this is one of the first issues I would say you did good.

Third, this has nothing to do with Ford. The plugs look like they were junk to start with and left in way too long. Also, the last installer probably did not use anti-seize like you said.

Give the dealer a crack at it. It may not be as bad as you think.

As for going though this issue ask any Corvette owner. My father has had a couple and there is always issues with the plugs.


Chris

lol, thats almost comical. if this is the absolutely very first issue, please explain how this is doing good. there is no valid reason to change plugs routinely in any modern engine at 30k, doesnt matter who does it or why, waste of money. since you have determined this has nothing to do with ford, where does the burden lie and why? what brand of plug do you use and how are they superior? OP if i were you, i would speak to the service mgr, not the advisor, personally and make sure he has the best most experienced tech at least take a look and offer guidance, but he likely wouldnt want the job as it is a real spanking if the head or heads have to come off. good luck and very sorry to hear of your trouble