For you 2004 Ford F150 owners

[KAB]

Not Ford but GM does not recommend pulling the spark plugs for inspection unless needed.

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From Service Bulletin #PIP3069C

Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs are designed to operate under normal vehicle operating conditions for up to 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers) without periodic maintenance. As stated in the owner's manual, maintenance needs may vary because of all the different ways people use their vehicles. As a result, more frequent inspections and replacements may be needed if the vehicle is operated in extreme conditions.

When no engine performance concerns are present, Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs should not be removed for periodic inspection and cleaning of threads, doing so may compromise the spark plug's ability to withstand their corrosive environment. The threaded area, although not sealed, serves as a protective environment against most harmful elements. Removing and cleaning spark plugs will introduce metallic debris and brush scrapings into the thread area which may further the corrosion process.

Chromate coated spark plugs should not be wire brushed or handled in any way once they are put in service. Chromium topcoats form a protective oxide on spark plugs that is not effective if scratched. Both coated and uncoated spark plugs will have the best chance of surviving a corrosive environment if they are left in position. Attempts to maintain spark plugs by removing them and cleaning the threads can actually create the corrosive condition that the procedure was intended to prevent.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

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In my 03 gm car used for work the spark plugs were replaced at 120k. The threads look like new, no corrosion. FWIW

Kurt

 

[Volfandt]

Changed my 1998 F-150 4.6 Romeo plugs out at 90K without any issues.
They looked like they could have gone longer but they weren't the easiest to get at so putting them back for another 10k was out of the question

 

[Robert_in_NY]

It is terrible to get to half of the plugs on the 98 4.6. I did mine once but from now on the Ford dealer gets the job

I sure do miss my straight six in the 92. It didn't have the power of the 4.6 but it sure was a nice simple engine to work on.

 

[irwin]

This one of the repair tools offered.

++ TIME-SERT FORD SPARK PLUG REPAIR, blown out spark plugs problems Frequently Asked Questions ++..

Most definitely Ford Triton engines have a problem with spark plug thread damage in heads, resulting in plugs being blown out while driving. Problem happens mostly after plugs are replaced. The stress of removing plugs damages the threaded holes in heads. I have heard of original plugs blowing out, mostly this is a after tune-up problem though. WE've known about it for a couple years, but Ford was/is slow to admit problem

Ford F-Series Spits out Spark Plugs

Feds Urged to Act on Ford Spark Plug Blow-Outs

Here's an incident I just read about, an actual fire caused by plug blown out of head.

Spit Spark Plug Ignites Ford Truck

 

[TractorLegend]

Not Ford but GM does not recommend pulling the spark plugs for inspection unless needed.

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From Service Bulletin #PIP3069C

Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs are designed to operate under normal vehicle operating conditions for up to 100,000 miles
Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs should not be removed for periodic inspection and cleaning of threads, doing so may compromise the spark plug's ability to withstand their corrosive environment. Kurt

Engineering drivel at best. Use compressed air to blow out debris prior to removal during tune up.

 

[cp1969]

Engineering drivel at best. Use compressed air to blow out debris prior to removal during tune up.

That's all it takes? I find it simply AMAZING that no one has told those poor powerplant engineers, paralyzed by educated ignorance, about that trick. We all know they couldn't possibly figure it out for themselves, but you'd think they'd eventually overhear some smart person talking about it.......

 

[irwin]

My big problem with 100,00 mile plugs, after being in place for that long the plug threads sieze to the threaded holes. I see it too often, not just Ford, but any aluminum head, any manufacturer.
Because of the binding, I would not leave the plugs in that long, maybe 50k. When I remove them I replace them, not because of my removing them from a protected inviroment, but just because my vehicles are important to me, why take chances? I do agree, however, in following manufacturers recommendations for the most part, I overdo it some though. just MHO.

 

[KAB]

Engineering drivel at best. Use compressed air to blow out debris prior to removal during tune up.

It is a good idea to blow out the debris prior to removing the plug no matter when you pull one. I don't think that is what they are referring to... I think (notice I siad I THINK not that I KNOW) that they are referring to any small metal fragments generated by the removal of the plugs due to friction. From looking at my plugs that were removed at 120k there appears to be shinier and duller places around the plugs. (almost reminds me of looking at a fresh brake compared to an older break for lack of a better description) I know that some people say to use anti-sieze to eliminate the corrosion issue but does that not cause a torquing issue? Could an inproper torque either cause a plug to potentially either come out on it's own or upon the next removal time cause a thread issue?

From the service departments that I have talked to about this issue, they no longer remove a plug that appears to be functioning properly. I personally believe that if I am going to pull a plug to look at it, for the price and hassle, I am going to replace it.


Kurt

 

[N80]

I personally doubt that there is any real need to change modern spark plugs at all! I'll probably leave my originals in forever.

Since 1990 I have not had a vehicle of any kind that didn't take major mechanical gymnastics to get the spark plugs out! Drives me nuts.

And what's worse, on an F-150 (and many others probably) there is a freakin' acre and a half of room in front of the radiator taken up mostly by grill, bumper and fan cowling. If you're going to add a bunch of dead space on the front of a truck which markedly increases approach angles, etc, at least use it to decompress the engine compartment which is so full of krap that you can't get to anything.

Rant over, Mad Max signing out.