Might get this... what should I look for & ask about

[mikehaugen]

for comparison, though this one needs some body work! :laughing:

low miles though, if it's accurate.

1998 Dodge Ram 3500 Cumming Diesel Extended Cab 4x4 SLT Dually

 

[HHR]

Re exhaust studs - I think mine has had 2 or 3 broken since I bought it several years ago, once it heats up they seal right up so there is only a slight noise. I'm guessing if I replaced them they would break again so I'm gonna let it be. Re the plugs, mine is an 01, I'm not sure if the plugs have been done but I haven't spit one out yet. They are at about 120,000 miles now, I guess if it starts misfiring I'll have to try changing them. They last so long now its easy to put it off a long time. The newer trucks had the 2 piece plugs that break apart which is a different bit of fun.

I have a few busted manifold studs on my 2000 5.4l that make a racket under load.
I changed out the original plugs this spring at 180k. They came out fine and the plugs didn't look all that bad. Being that the truck was formerly state owned, I had wrongly assumed they had changed the plugs at least once.

 

[Peacock]

I have a few busted manifold studs on my 2000 5.4l that make a racket under load. I changed out the original plugs this spring at 180k. They came out fine and the plugs didn't look all that bad. Being that the truck was formerly state owned, I had wrongly assumed they had changed the plugs at least once.

How do you know they were original? I can't say I ever saw any Ford plugs last beyond 130k without drive ability problems.

 

[HHR]

How do you know they were original? I can't say I ever saw any Ford plugs last beyond 130k without drive ability problems.

I can't be 100% sure, but the old plugs were motorcraft platinum with about a .090 gap. The only record the state had on maintenance was from Valvoline Instant Oil Change. Do they change plugs? I also found a kids DVD jammed into the CD player.
I've owned a few government vehicles and it seems that oil and filter are usually the only preventive maintenance they get.

 

[Peacock]

Original plugs will have a white paint dot on the coil end.

 

[HHR]

Original plugs will have a white paint dot on the coil end.

I don't recall any white dots.

 

[CJONE]

How do you know they were original? I can't say I ever saw any Ford plugs last beyond 130k without drive ability problems.

Come to our shop, I will show you a bunch that have over 130k and some that are in the 180+ range. I am sure they need changed but the trucks just get traded off so it does not happen. I only remember 2 trucks out of 50+ that had plugs changed and that was because of injectors sticking. SAD, but true. CJ

 

[Peacock]

Come to our shop, I will show you a bunch that have over 130k and some that are in the 180+ range. I am sure they need changed but the trucks just get traded off so it does not happen. I only remember 2 trucks out of 50+ that had plugs changed and that was because of injectors sticking. SAD, but true. CJ

That's impressive! Seems they all had misfires under load by the low 100k range. Maybe the plug quality was improved?

I left the Ford dealer in '04. Only work on ten occasionally now. The company I work for now owns the dealer I used to work at.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Come to our shop, I will show you a bunch that have over 130k and some that are in the 180+ range. I am sure they need changed but the trucks just get traded off so it does not happen. I only remember 2 trucks out of 50+ that had plugs changed and that was because of injectors sticking. SAD, but true. CJ

My buddy just sent me a pic today of his 09 F150 FX4 5.4L . It turned 200,000 miles on his way to work this morning. 5 years and not a single thing but oil, filters, tires, and brakes. OEM plugs still in it. Hard to believe they have not blown out of that 5.4 huh. Roll Eyes. So many on here want you to think every Ford blows up the second you drive it off the lot.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Here is the pic he sent.

Chris