Spark Plug Change..

[04FX4]

Well my 04 FX4 with 35,000KHM has 2 for sure and maybe 3 broken plugs. I guess I am on the hook for paying the labour on the removal of the broken plugs or is the dealer. They called me to give me a heads up and that there be a additional charge for the removal of the broken parts.What do you all think?

[Jackpine]

I think it's pretty awful! I wonder if they didn't really follow the service bulletin when trying to remove the plugs. Doesn't seem right that they'd be stuck in there after only 35,000 km. That's only about 21,000 miles!

Why did you decide to have them changed so soon? (Am I reading your distance wrong)?

- Jack

[04FX4]

No the distance is right. I changed them early hoping they would not break. There was a total of 3 plugs broken plugs, they only charged me a extra $150 to remove them, so I am not that upset.... On another note before bring my truck into Ford I returned it to stock for a couple days and wow what a slug it is. I must say these Gryphons with Bills custom tunes are great, I am not sure why I never got one from day one. Bill you are the "MAN"......

[Grabber523]

Hmm...so they break 3!!! :yikes2::censored3: plugs and you're probably going to have to foot the bill? Sounds like an easy way for the shop to make a few hundred easy bucks...just sayin...

EDIT: You beat me to my post!

[04FX4]

I geuss it could have been worse. I wonder if I did them if I would have broke any. I need to practice on somebody elses....:smiley_roll1:

[88Racing]

Just to let you guys know. Go over to some of the mustang forums. There are guys changing their plugs at 20k. Are they really saving money or down time? I don't know, its really kind of scary hearing about broken ones at 35k.

-Lars

[Jackpine]

I geuss it could have been worse. I wonder if I did them if I would have broke any. I need to practice on somebody elses....:smiley_roll1:

I think you COULD have done better! In my humble (and somewhat uninformed opinion) the plugs should not have seized that badly at your mileage (which is awfully low for a 2004 truck)! The plug change interval is 100K miles for Heaven's sake! I honestly think they might have "rushed" the job and the mechanic didn't give the solvent time to work it's way down into the plug nose area. Or, they tried to do it while the engine was warm, which is also a no-no.

I hope they put anti-seize on the plug noses when they put the new ones in!

I know how you feel about it though. It might be instructive to go to a "salvage" yard and try removing the plugs in a wrecked one. Wonder how the yard owner would feel about that? He'd probably think: :notallthere:

- Jack

[88Racing]

Sorry did not see the metrics read right past it. So the equivalent is 21000 miles. I don't think TSB's were followed or KNOWN about. If this was me I would be chewing some tail right when I got the bill. But on the side of the dealer maybe yours was that rare case. Right now however I am smell'n something fishy. Like Jack said I hope also they got nickle antiseeze on the shank.

Lars

[OneTomcat]

Well my 04 FX4 with 35,000KHM has 2 for sure and maybe 3 broken plugs. I guess I am on the hook for paying the labour on the removal of the broken plugs or is the dealer. They called me to give me a heads up and that there be a additional charge for the removal of the broken parts.What do you all think?

What I think is ya got rooked. I had my '05 FX4 done at 50,000 km, bought the plugs at the Ford dealership and took them to the local Canadian Tire where all plugs were removed with no breakage, new ones installed with the anti-sieze on the shank and out the door for under $90. Now maybe the dealerships are doing more than just changing plugs and I may be a rare case but some of the stories in what is being charged for a spark plug change is just plain outrageous.

[cleatus12r]

http://napachampion.com/PromotionFM/Promo7989Q1Y09.aspx?pcid=366

I watched the video of what happens with the stock plugs and what kind of torque can be applied to these new plugs.

What an idiotic design.

[88Racing]

Would a mass letter writing campaign help change their mind and force them to redesign the plug or it just is just a waste of time?

Lars

[04FX4]

I would think it would be a waste of time.

[Jackpine]

I agree, it IS a waste of time. Ford is well aware of the problem and they've known about it for years. As long as it won't cause the engine to blow up and kill someone, they're not going to fix it.

It's possible that someone like a Ralph Nader could have forced them to issue a recall and install redesigned, one-piece plugs, but you and I are not going to get anywhere.

Look how they're treating the known problem with the fuel injectors. They won't issue a recall even though they know there is a potential for severe engine damage. I will acknowledge, however, that they say they WILL repair any damage caused by an injector on their dime, as long as it happens before what, 100K or 10 years?

- Jack

[austinrhea]

I just called the dealership in Garland, Texas yesterday to ask about my 2005 F-150 getting a tune at 60,000 miles. I was quoted $490 for the tune and $172 for each broken plug. I then informed him I had the Ford EXP Extended Warranty for 75,000 miles and he looked it up and said the broken plugs would be covered by it. I would only assume that the plugs would be covered by the original warranty also.

[Jackpine]

I just called the dealership in Garland, Texas yesterday to ask about my 2005 F-150 getting a tune at 60,000 miles. I was quoted $490 for the tune and $172 for each broken plug. I then informed him I had the Ford EXP Extended Warranty for 75,000 miles and he looked it up and said the broken plugs would be covered by it. I would only assume that the plugs would be covered by the original warranty also.

Probably true, but the OP's truck was a 2004 model, which puts it beyond warranty due to age, regardless of miles.

- Jack

[Grabber523]

http://dagostinoracing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15814

Check it out, guys...one-piece design, you don't need the $25 tool to gap them (anyone want to buy mine? Don't need it for the 'Stang anymore...), and you'll never have to worry about replacing them when/if the time comes. For the 08.5 models they have redesigned the heads to eliminate the "long plug" design, but for the rest of us, Brisk is as good as it gets.

EDIT: They make up to 2 heat ranges colder than stock for you F/I guys.

[04FX4]

I am just happy I did not get ripped off. They could have charged more but did not because they also no it was a bad design. My friend has a 07 FX4 same as mine , he made a appointment same day as mine and they didnt break any of his, the lucky bastard.

[88Racing]

Any problems with the brisk plug? Missfires?
I have read not to stray from motorcraft.

Lars:confused:

[04FX4]

My dealer told me they have had a few problems with other brands miss firring he named a couple brands but not all.

[Dixie Design]

Buddy of mine had an AWFUL experience with Bosch plugs in his F150.

[04FX4]

I heard champion was one of the worst...

[Jackpine]

I've read many bad anecdotal reviews concerning Champion and Bosch plugs. I still don't see why a particular brand should not work, since spark plug design is so simple, but that's what I can report.

Brisk plugs seem to be OK. I wonder how Ford dealerships feel about them?

- Jack

[Power Hungry]

I've had horrible luck with Bosch, particularly on supercharged applications. Don't know why, but is just the way it is. Champions always worked in my lawnmowers and are also good in Chryslers, but GM and Ford don't seem to like them very much.

[88Racing]

Grabber523

Are you running the brisk plug and if so how many miles on them so far? And no problems?



Jack

What is the problem with the injectors?

Getting the feeling that the whole top end was designed by the lowest bidder or first year engineer with no auto experience.


Lars

[Jackpine]

Grabber523

Are you running the brisk plug and if so how many miles on them so far? And no problems?



Jack

What is the problem with the injectors?

Getting the feeling that the whole top end was designed by the lowest bidder or first year engineer with no auto experience.


Lars

Lars, it may not effect your truck. Those of us with certain 2005 F150, F-Super Duty, Expy's and Navigators with the 5.4L 3V engine have injectors that MAY stick in the open or closed position. This, of course, can make your engine run badly, but if stuck open, I think can lead to hydro lock (which is pretty serious damage).

The warranty on the fuel injectors has been extended to 11 years or 120K miles.

Interestingly, the letter does not say anything about them being responsible for "collateral damage" should it occur, but I think Ford IS taking care of it (for now).

- Jack

[88Racing]

Thanks Jack!

[Grabber523]

Grabber523

Are you running the brisk plug and if so how many miles on them so far? And no problems?



Jack

What is the problem with the injectors?

Getting the feeling that the whole top end was designed by the lowest bidder or first year engineer with no auto experience.


Lars

I run the Brisk plugs (2 heat ranges colder) in my 460 whp mustang and they are awesome. I've tried Autolites, Motorcraft (FRPP), and Champion. I've spent over $1000 on spark plugs in 2 years and 30,000 supercharged miles between those 3 brands, and never got more than 2000 miles out of a set, and if I went to the track, forget it...I'd have at least one cylinder drop for sure either during a pass or on the drive home. I actually had a bag of tools in the trunk at all times just for changing plugs because of that mess. I've been running the Brisk plugs since spring of last year...15000 miles and 40+ 1/4 mile passes and not one hiccup.

EDIT: of all the brands, the Autolites were the worst...just my experience...

[Power Hungry]

That's bad-a$$! Looks like I might need to keep a few sets on hand. :2thumbs:

[88Racing]

Grabber 523

Kick but stang!!!

So you run the brisk plug in the stang. How about the truck?:2thumbs:

Oh yeah, forgot about this. Took a little field trip over to another forum this afternoon and saw pictures of the newly redesigned heads off of a 2008 4.6 stang. I could not believe the thread count on that plug. Where the piece of plug that usually gets stuck, its all threads now. Drtriton posted the pictures.

Lars

[Power Hungry]

Oh yeah, forgot about this. Took a little field trip over to another forum this afternoon and saw pictures of the newly redesigned heads off of a 2008 4.6 stang. I could not believe the thread count on that plug. Where the piece of plug that usually gets stuck, its all threads now. Drtriton posted the pictures.

Lars

And you didn't post a link... WHY??? :shrug: :disbelief: :cry-blow:

Inquiring minds want to know! :yesnod:

[88Racing]

Bill

Sorry for not posting a link.

I'll send you my blackberry so you can tune it!

Just kidding, when I get home today I will get the history off the bb and post it.

Lars

[Grabber523]

Grabber 523

Kick but stang!!!

So you run the brisk plug in the stang. How about the truck?:2thumbs:

Oh yeah, forgot about this. Took a little field trip over to another forum this afternoon and saw pictures of the newly redesigned heads off of a 2008 4.6 stang. I could not believe the thread count on that plug. Where the piece of plug that usually gets stuck, its all threads now. Drtriton posted the pictures.

Lars

Nothing in the truck yet, it's still a baby because my DD is usually the Stang...this winter has been bad enough that I've had to use the truck to get to work, but I just hit 30K on the truck and will be pulling the stockers out for Brisk.:thumbs up yellow: