replacing spark plugs in 3v 5.4L

[buglebuster]

My 06 f150 is at 85k miles and time to replace the spark plugs. The 3v 5.4's are notorious for breaking the plugs off in the heads. Has anyone attempted this? I watched a few videos online and think I can handle it, I'm not about to pay the dealer the $500 they are adking any tips would be appreciated thanks

[TheSkyBuster]

 Poor design by Ford. 


Good Luck! 

[pd]

Yes, yes, and yes.  They do have the bad reputation of breaking (two piece plugs).  This problem was fixed in the 2008 models (if I remember correctly).  They also have the tendency to fuse to the aluminum blocks, so you need to swap them out sooner rather than later (after a single change, it seems like all is fine).

Don't give a dealership $500 to do this!  Find a competent mechanic to do it for you.  I spent about $250 on my 2004 F-150.  I have no skill, so wouldn't try this myself (especially if I broke one, because I don't have the tools for the extraction).  Go find a good wrench man!

[10thmountainarcher]

Been there done that. Use pb blaster, spray the plugs and let it sit an hour or so. I had a shop vac that I duck taped a straw into the hose and sucked the excess fluid out. I then blew it out with compressed air. Go slow but use force, make sure you press down on the wrench hard. I only broke one plug, had the Lisle extractor handy and had it out in five minutes. Make sure you don't put the two piece plug back in, get a good plug to go back in. It wasn't hard at all, I'm no mechanic by any means, just patient and wanted to try it.

[buglebuster]

Half the mechanics here wont do them, and the cheapest quote was 375. I've been in more than a few motors so it shouldnt be a problem, just looking for first hand experience

[TheSkyBuster]

Plan on the plugs breaking.  Try to find someone with the broken plug extractor tool you can Borrow before removing any plugs.   I replaced plugs on a 2007 with 100k and 7 of the 8 broke off in the head.   

[10thmountainarcher]

It's easy as long as you're patient. Either order the tool online or pay 20 more bucks at Oreillys or Napa auto zone etc.  Just go slow my truck had 102000 miles on it when I did em.

[jackelope]

I work in the service dept at a Ford dealer. There's no need to "plan" on them breaking, especially since you're doing them a little early. In the last ~9 months, the guys on my team have broken exactly 4 spark plugs. We see 40 vehicles a day and do lots of spark plugs. The book calls for 2.9 hours and the plugs are about $9 each so if a shop is doing them for $250 they're screwing themselves over.

[TheSkyBuster]

If the O.P. "Plans" on the plugs breaking, He will be prepared with the proper extraction tool, and able to complete the task on the same day.  Just like the Dealership is when they do the work. (for $300 dollars labor and $72 dollars in parts.)  If all 8 plugs come out in one piece then even better.   

[j_h_nimrod]

Did it on mine at 120k miles and did not have any problems.  It was time consuming because you have to move a lot of stuff to get at some of the plugs and they are not located in the easiest to reach locations. Make sure you have a few universal socket joints and various lengths of extensions on hand. One thing I do that I feel helps is to slightly torque the plug in further, just enough to break it loose, and then start carefully removing. If it gets sticky while removing screw it back down a bit and hit it with some PB Blaster or similar penetrating oil. As mentioned earlier make sure you blow or suck any of the crap accumulated in the plug well before attempting anything.

I forgot that it might of helped when I did mine that it was 20 degrees.

Good luck, pocket the $500 for something better

[Russ McDonald]

If you need the broke plug extrator let me know.  I have one.  Don't spend the $100.  Only broke two plugs when i did mine.  I used an impact wrench.  The two I broke I couldn't the impact on.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[buglebuster]

The video and writeup I saw said get vehicle to operating temp, and use an impact.

[coachcw]

I've done plenty of them and using a impact was scary the first time but it works like a charm ! . on the rear plugs I had a combination of extension and universal and they still come out . If one breaks Lisle makes and extractor the most napas carry and works well takes about ten minutes a hole . 

[STED9r]

Get it to operating temp, blow out plug recess with shop air, spray 50/50 mixture of acetone and trans fluid, let cool then repeat.
Yep, done a few. Find it easier to spend the time prepping then pulling broke plugs out.
Use antiseize on new ones but keep to minimum so you don't get shorting.

[buglebuster]

Thanks everyone 

[gotshot]

Another tip. If after you get them changed and you start to smell fuel one or more have backed out. It is a somewhat common problem. Just retorque and all will be good.

[coachcw]

Another tip. If after you get them changed and you start to smell fuel one or more have backed out. It is a somewhat common problem. Just retorque and all will be good.

that's right