Should I replace my plugs?

jmwilso2 · #1 Fri, March 11th, 2011, 06:11 PM

I insisted the dealership change the plugs when I bought my truck and I've actually made it my policy to loosen them off and re apply the anti sieze then reinstall them every 25000 to avoid the old stuck plug problem. Its a bit of a pain but I never need to worry.

Joe

***Jackpine*** · #2 Fri, March 11th, 2011, 07:32 PM

Here's one "how-to": Sparkplug Change for 2004-2008 5.4 3V-Step by Step - F150online Forums

And another: Changed My Spark Plugs Today/ Writeup - F150online Forums

And yet another: Spark Plug Change on 2004-Early 2008 5.4 3V - F150online Forums

And finally, a technique when things go wrong: New method to extract porcelain from broken spark plugs - F150online Forums

I believe Ford is now recommending a plug change at 70-75K, rather than the old 100K, so you're about due. The BIG caution is "patience", and a cold engine as I recall (I did not read through those threads before posting and am working from what little memory I still have).

And, I believe, the important place for the anti-seize is on the porcelain nose of the plug, not just the threads, because that's where the carbon build-up causes them to bind (and break).

Good luck!

- Jack

ticopowell · #3 Fri, March 11th, 2011, 08:15 PM

jmwilso2, Great Idea! wish I had thought of that... and Thanks Jack for the links! I looked for a few but didnt find too much help... :/

ticopowell · #4 Sat, April 2nd, 2011, 10:59 PM

I decided to wait until at least summer to change them, I put seafoam in the gas tank and I started getting a few mpg's more than before at start, and then part of my trip from utah I got 17.7 hand calculated mpg's!!!! I know a large part of that, probably 1-2mpg's, was from the wind, but still I am pretty happy about it!

***88Racing*** · #5 Wed, April 6th, 2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ticopowell

I decided to wait until at least summer to change them, I put seafoam in the gas tank and I started getting a few mpg's more than before at start, and then part of my trip from utah I got 17.7 hand calculated mpg's!!!! I know a large part of that, probably 1-2mpg's, was from the wind, but still I am pretty happy about it!

Don't use this.....
Use techron instead....
At the dealership our plug changes got more successful with customers using the techron in TWO tanks of gas before their plug change than using seafoam.....

Crack the plugs 1/8 turn and soak with carb cleaner for an hour....

then use an Impact and have the lisle tool handy.....

Coat the nose/ heat shield only with the nickel anti sieze and not the threads.....

ticopowell · #6 Wed, April 6th, 2011, 03:06 PM

thanks! ill do that before I change them. Any other advice you could provide for changing them?

***88Racing*** · #7 Wed, April 6th, 2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ticopowell

thanks! ill do that before I change them. Any other advice you could provide for changing them?

Blow out the plug wells really good with compressed air

And

patience patience patience

***Jackpine*** · #8 Wed, April 6th, 2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88Racing

Don't use this.....
Use techron instead....
At the dealership our plug changes got more successful with customers using the techron in TWO tanks of gas before their plug change than using seafoam.....

Crack the plugs 1/8 turn and soak with carb cleaner for an hour....

then use an Impact and have the lisle tool handy.....

Coat the nose/ heat shield only with the nickel anti sieze and not the threads.....

Now THAT's interesting!

- Jack