5.

4L 3V Spark Plugs Engine Build Dates before 10/0

Page 1 of 92

06-21-2010, 10:22 PM

GATORB8
Senior Member

5.4L 3V Spark Plugs Engine Build Dates before 10/09/07

If you haven't seen any threads about changing the spark plugs
myself on the issue, and I figured it was time for a thread that addressed everyo

For those of you wondering why a simple spark plug change gets so much attent
hours of labor and waiting to receive some special tools:

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: Arlington
Heights, IL
Posts: 4,976
Thanks: 2
Thanked 130 Times
in 69 Posts
Feedback Score: 0
reviews

The culprit is a specially designed spark plug (and the head that recieves it) that
the body of the plug (the broken piece in the above picture). Carbon deposits de
When you remove the plug, the torque breaks the lower piece off. Ford changed
issue. Unfortunately the new plugs require the new heads, and as such are not b

Over the years, Ford has developed a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to instruct
few times, and has become TSB 08-7-6. Read it in full text with pictures and diag

Dealer's have figured out that the spark plugs break, and you'll find most membe
can see, this is different than the actual Ford "book" values of:
Base spark plug removal: 1.4 hrs Warranty / 2.2 hrs Standard
Broken plug extraction: Actual hours worked
These quotes can range from $270 with no broken plugs, to upward of a grand w

A number of members have followed the TSB and successfully removed and repl
porcelain) on hand. Several companies make the tools: Rotunda (Ford OEM), Sna
The penetrant used to perform the TSB (Motorcraft carb cleaner in the TSB) can

Although I haven't seen any evidence that it definitely works, a lot of guys will us
attempt to remove some of the carbon (I am a Seafoam user).
NOTE, THERE IS SOME CONTROVERSIAL INFO IN THIS SECTION:

Now that all that's out there, on to the replacement plugs. Despite what you'll re
what I've read, the Autolite is the manufacturer for Motorcraft, and are also two

There are two choices for one piece replacement plugs, Champion and Brisk.
Champions claim to be a one piece "improved OEM" replacement, and are double
reports of early fouling with the plugs (this is what I've heard, not personal expe
The Brisk plugs are racing plugs, and while one piece, are not double platinum, m

IMHO SECTION:
I wouldn't rush to change your plugs earlier than the 100k recommended by Ford
preventative type, go for it at 50k, you may spend some more (a set of Motorcra

I personally am using Motorcraft replacement plugs. I trust Motorcraft for its valu
gas tank (in progress) and probably Seafoam the crankcase through the vacuum
8 hours worse case. I'm sure there will be much profanity in the garage, and I'll
Well there you go, I hope this helps explain the basics to those of you that were
Bucko, good enough for a Sticky?
__________________
GATORB8 - 2006 Smokestone Scab Lariat 4x4 5.4 -

Viper Smartstart|AVS Ventviso

Kit|WeatherTech Floor Liners|Pioneer Premier TS-D720C|Peerless 10" XXLS|Qlogic Qcustom|Kenwood eXcel
Tekonsha Brake Controller|2.5" AS Level/3" Rear Blocks|275/70R18 BF Goodrich All Terrain

Last edited by Bucko; 08-13-2010 at 06:16 AM. Reason: Corrected date for engine build dates

The Following 47
Users Say Thank You
to GATORB8 For This
Useful Post:

803 (10-01-2012), AKFordGuy (06-02-2013), Aquadisiac (09-29-2013),

2013), bond (12-01-2014), Bones82 (03-17-2015), BskttCse
emtismith (06-05-2014), F150_FX4 (01-04-2014), Fraid Knot II
2012), jerseygt1022 (10-04-2013), jmac771 (07-26-2013),
03-30-2015), mlr2287 (10-03-2014),oakshadsows (06-07-2015),
(12-20-2013), scottsmith6 (07-29-2015), seannh (01-20-2013),
Tomster (05-18-2013),TriumphNut (04-14-2015), Uncle Buddy
2014), White07F150 (07-20-2012)

Join F150Forum.com Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you a Ford F150 fan? If so we invite you to join our community and see what it has to offer. Our site
Once you join you'll be able to post messages, upload pictures of your truck, and have a great time with
F150Forum.com is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally free!
Join F150Forum.com Today! - Click Here

-->
06-22-2010, 06:53 AM

Bucko
Moderator

Excellent work GATORB8. This is a great link to point folks to as a reference. W

wrong information posted as a response, we can delete it.

Eventually we can add it to CRASHTech's " Stop! Before you post Read this! Co
about this subject.

PLEASE NOTE: I WILL DELETE POSTS ON THIS STICKY THAT DO NOT ST

(please post seperately and not within this sticky). THEY WILL BE DELE
through posts.

While there are other stickys that allow questions within them, they are more "
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Lake Mary
Florida
Posts: 8,410
Thanks: 2
Thanked 261 Times in 209
Posts
Feedback Score: 0 reviews

The Following 4
Users Say Thank

Thanks for doing the thread GATORB8.

__________________
"Never argue with an idiot; they'll only drag you down to their level, then beat

2007 F150 STX Supercab (4.6 2V V8), Edge tuner, factory navigation, Mark VII
Last edited by Bucko; 12-29-2010 at 01:45 PM.

Aquadisiac (08-02-2014), graywolf (08-22-2013), sooperdan133

You to Bucko For

This Useful Post:
06-22-2010, 05:11 PM

BigBlockOBS
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 64
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 1
Post
Feedback Score: 0
reviews

The Following 2
Users Say Thank
You to BigBlockOBS
For This Useful
Post:

Info

Just for informational purposes Ford does recommend 60,000 plug changes for c

20266 2004-2008 F150/2006-2008 MARK LT/2005-2008 EXPEDITION/N

CONCERNS/VERIFY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE COMPLETE
SOME 2004-2008 F150 / 2006-2008 MARK LT / 2005-2008 EXPEDITION
THAN 60,000 MILES, THAT ARE SUBJECTED TO SPECIAL OPERATING CON
DRIVABILITY CONCERNS UNDER HIGH-LOAD OR WIDE OPEN THROTTLE
AND/OR LOW-SPEED DRIVING FOR LONG DISTANCES AS IN HEAVY COM
LIVERY. BEFORE ATTEMPTING REPAIRS, VERIFY RECOMMENDED 60,000
INCLUDES SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT. REFER TO TSB 08-07-06 WHICH
REPLACEMENT DOES NOT CORRECT THE CONDITION CONTINUE WITH N

ponygal (07-02-2012), vinnie muff (05-07-2013)

06-23-2010, 08:12 AM

GATORB8
Senior Member

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1997XLT

where do you get the engine build date, is it the same as the sticker inside the
Remember this only affects 04 (non heritage)+ which have the 3 valve version

Per the TSB: The engine build date can be read on the left hand
cam cover information sticker.
__________________
GATORB8 - 2006 Smokestone Scab Lariat 4x4 5.4 - Viper Smartstart|AVS Ventvis
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arlington
Heights, IL
Posts: 4,976
Thanks: 2
Thanked 130 Times in 69
Posts
Feedback Score: 0 reviews

Kit|WeatherTech Floor Liners|Pioneer Premier TS-D720C|Peerless 10" XXLS|Qlogic Qcustom|Kenwood eXc

Tekonsha Brake Controller|2.5" AS Level/3" Rear Blocks|275/70R18 BF Goodrich All Terrain

The Following User

Says Thank You to
GATORB8 For This
Useful Post:

vinnie muff (05-07-2013)

06-23-2010, 08:43 AM

jamesyarbrough
Senior Member

http://www.flatratetech.com/index.php?categoryid=4 Check out episode 26

__________________
04 F150 5.4 185k miles

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: TEXAS
Posts: 718
Thanks: 3
Thanked 39 Times in 31 Posts
Feedback Score: 0 reviews

The Following User

Says Thank You to
jamesyarbrough For
This Useful Post:

vinnie muff (05-07-2013)

06-23-2010, 05:52 PM

1997XLT
Junior Member

Quote:

Originally Posted by GATORB8

Remember this only affects 04 (non heritage)+ which have the 3 valve vers
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 19
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Feedback Score: 0 reviews

The Following
User Says Thank
You to 1997XLT
For This Useful
Post:
06-23-2010, 07:25 PM

Per the TSB: The engine build date can be read on the left hand
cam cover information sticker.

Thanks. And yea, i know it doesnt affect my '97. Just intersted in knowing be

vinnie muff (05-07-2013)

jake04f150
Senior Member

so why did it take ford so long to fix this problem and is there any type of recall?
about these plugs I am kinda worried about it I just rolled 90,000 miles so it alm

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: oahu hi.
Posts: 267
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1
Post
Feedback Score: 0
reviews

The Following User

Says Thank You to
jake04f150 For This
Useful Post:

vinnie muff (05-07-2013)

06-24-2010, 10:44 PM

rollingthunder
Senior Member

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake04f150

so why did it take ford so long to fix this problem and is there any type of reca
reading about these plugs I am kinda worried about it I just rolled 90,000 mile

By the time a company finds out it has a problem like this........ Not noticed unt
issues with plug breakage....... Why would they fix it?
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Dakota City, NE
Posts: 786
Thanks: 3
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Feedback Score: 0
reviews

It would be good to save face... But realize that most of the general buying pub
change- It is not a safety issue- it is not a mechanical issue in the sense that it

It would be like replacing mufflers because they had a batch that would rust ou

A lot of the owners who originally bought these vehicles did not deal with this is

For the most part if it isn't broke- don't fix it- While a design change was neede
__________________
06 F-150 XLT SCab 5.4 FFV 4.10s/ Straight Piped
17" American Racing Victor Teflon/ Black Halo Proj. HL

3" Front Level, 2" add-a-leafs/Bull Bar/Edge Evo(boo)

35 x 12.5 x 17 Toyo Open Country M/Ts wore out, pitt- bulls coming soon- Rock

The Following
User Says Thank
You to
rollingthunder For
This Useful Post:

vinnie muff (05-07-2013)

06-28-2010, 12:12 AM

RahX
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 180
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1
Post
Feedback Score: 0
reviews

The Following
User Says
Thank You to
RahX For This
Useful Post:

FWIW the Lisle tool is VERY easy to use and after you get the first broken one ou
passenger or the rear on the driver side. After soaking, I had 3 plugs break with t
can tell) the first broken plug took about 15 mins to remove. The other two took
a plug for the one piece motorcraft plugs. If you coat the plug properly with anti-

vinnie muff (05-07-2013)

06-30-2010, 10:24
AM

Tinman
Junior Member

Join Date: May 2009

Location: Kentucky
Posts: 28
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1
Post
Feedback Score: 0
reviews

My Question is if any of you guys that are having problems with spark
85 also so I was just wondering if that could have a different affect on removing plu
but wondeing if I should go ahead and change them before I get to many more mile

http://www.f150forum.com/f4/5-4l-3v-spark-plugs-engine-build-dates-before-1009-07-a-56871/