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

Egon · Apr 2, 2011

Consumer complaints about Ford Engines - Spark Plug Defect

Seems these fellows may have some comments!

Uh-I didn't scroll to the bottom of the page. Got tired!

Dmace · Apr 3, 2011

Do yourself a favor and change every plug with a Champion 7989 one-piece spark plug which will not come apart like that.

I am shocked this happened, DiamondPilot knows 50 trucks that it didn't happen to so the other 3 million trucks on the road should be good too...

Seriously though, it probably was a bad plug or broken on install. The common problem is the entire plug blowing out of the head taking the threads with it, you got lucky.

Diamondpilot · Apr 3, 2011

Dmace said:
Do yourself a favor and change every plug with a Champion 7989 one-piece spark plug which will not come apart like that.

I am shocked this happened, DiamondPilot knows 50 trucks that it didn't happen to so the other 3 million trucks on the road should be good too...

Seriously though, it probably was a bad plug or broken on install. The common problem is the entire plug blowing out of the head taking the threads with it, you got lucky.

I have no reason to lie. I know it can happen but only know of it happening from all the people I know and deal with to 1 single truck and the day it happened it blew 2 plugs out. He was pulling his boat with a 99 V-10 F-250 and the mechanic said it usually happens with poor fuel. This was in 2010, so the truck was 11 years old and well used. Guy is a construction worker.

I have seen many stuck plugs in these motors but only the one blown out.

Me and you are in agreement though that it was either defective or installer error that cause this plug to fail since it stayed threaded in. He got lucky.

Chris

PoorMansCat · Apr 3, 2011

I know where 5 different trucks are right now that have attempted plug changes and failed... Its a really bad design... no doubt...

Well, 3 of them have been patched up right quick and traded in due to the issues.. The other two are just driving them unitl the opportunity presents itself to get rid of them.

Diamondpilot · Apr 3, 2011

We went though this back in Nov with my BIL's truck. He has a 2006 F-150 that had about 120,000 miles on it then and the original plugs. Its not a DIY job for the average Joe.

We found a good local guy that does them all the time. He charged $40 per plug to change them. He supplied the plugs. Had it done by noon. Not a big deal.

Yes, it cost a few $$$$ but other than a idler pulley, 1 COP pack, and front brakes that is all his truck has needed. He works construction so it gets used. His out of pocket expense for his truck year to date $600. $150 of that fluid changes and filters that we did last November at the same time the plugs were done. (front axle, rear axle, tranny, transfer case, coolant, fuel filter, and air filter).

Chris

slowzuki · Apr 4, 2011

Lots of stripped plugs on the first gen of that motor, I'm leaving my old plug in until they are really bad. Not worth the hassle. A lot of them stripped but unaware mechanics cranking the new ones in too. I'd never take a 5.4 to a quicklube shop for a repair.

The local tire shop did the plugs on theirs themselves, stripped them out, then helicoiled themselves, did it wrong and blew the repair out too.

Scooby074 · Apr 4, 2011

slowzuki said:
Lots of stripped plugs on the first gen of that motor, I'm leaving my old plug in until they are really bad. Not worth the hassle. A lot of them stripped but unaware mechanics cranking the new ones in too. I'd never take a 5.4 to a quicklube shop for a repair.

The local tire shop did the plugs on theirs themselves, stripped them out, then helicoiled themselves, did it wrong and blew the repair out too.

Leaving them in might not be the best idea. Many problems with broken plugs can be traced back to corrosion issues from going past the recommended service interval. Actually the current practice is for more frequent changes than recommended to prevent this issue.

Ford's preferred procedure is to spray penetrant down the plug holes after slightly cracking the plugs to try and loosen the electrode shroud in its bore to try and reduce breakage. Best to do this over a period of time.

Im going to look into those one piece champions next time i change the plugs in a ford.

Blowouts are related to a different issue. Ford cut very shallow threads in the heads. The torque spec is super low for those plugs (i cant remember exactly). Its been said that a single overtorque can ruin the threads and lead to blowout. Not a great design. I always torque the plugs to spec when changing.

jonyyuma · Apr 4, 2011

My son is giving up on his Ford, he has paid out a lot for the Ford adaptors to be reinstalled. He cannot tell when the next plug will be Hurled? Jy.

jonyyuma · Apr 4, 2011

BTW--the replacement helicoils from Ford are not a guaranteed fix..Even when installed by Ford..

deerefan · Apr 4, 2011

jonyyuma said:
BTW--the replacement helicoils from Ford are not a guaranteed fix..Even when installed by Ford..

Besides this issue, just getting to the plugs is a major pain. Ford has done a great job of making their motors a bear to work on. Hopefully this new batch of engines will prove to be better in this department. I have a 97 F150 with the 4.6 and other than oil and filter changes, it goes to the shop. I simply got tired of contorting my hands in 10 different directions just to do basic maintenance (plugs, belt etc). I can tune up (change plugs and fuel filter, air filter) in my 1/2 ton Chevy with the 5.3 in an hour. It was one of the deciding factors when looking at new trucks.