Ford Triton Engine Spark Plugs PSA

^ Ha, right?
But most all vehicles have their issues. I'm not even a Ford fan, but the 4.6 3V and 5R55W with a 8.8 corporate 3rd member is one of the more bulletproof combos out there overall.
I specifically picked this because it was a sticker and not a spitter, lol. And hedged my bet, low miles, it would not be an issue. I won the bet. Cost me $90 for a set of plugs but....

With this issue on their gas engines and the Ford diesel disasters 6.0, 6.4, CP4 one has to wonder why anyone would risk buying a Ford.

fj12ryder wrote:
I've read about this issue with seizing plugs and have always wondered why the plugs aren't given a brush of anti-seize when new. Seems an easy solution, all my plugs get anti-seize and never had an issue with any of them.

OEM Mfg would never accept that in an assembly process.

Adding it yourself, changes the torque applied to the threads and you can over torque the threads leading to plastic deformation. I add anti seize on my car's plugs and torque to minimum value.

Grit dog wrote:
I believe, hope, that having a good coating of antiseize on the smooth portion of the plug below the threads will keep the part that breaks off from rusting or carbon up.
The plugs that came out of the Mustang had zero carbon but the entire lower portion of the plug that can get stuck and break had a solid coat of rust on them.
Stainless plugs (if they make em for this application) like used on boat engines could also be a solution.
I did find that Motorcraft made a wholesale part number change for the factory spec plugs. Maybe they're improved?

They went from the original 2 piece design (where the smooth part was it's own piece) to a one piece design where the threads and the smooth part are formed from one piece of metal. I have heard it helps. The "South Main Auto LLC" channel on YouTube has some good videos on the subject.

A buddy just had a plug spit out of his 2015? 5.4 work van at under 50k miles. Apparently it's still an issue of spitting plugs to some extent as well.
I had quite a few 5.4 and 6.8 90's and early 2000s work trucks as well as the company fleet which was hundreds of new trucks a year and I don't recall others losing spark plugs, I never did. Same as most "issues". Event the bad problems typically only affect a small percentage.

I believe, hope, that having a good coating of antiseize on the smooth portion of the plug below the threads will keep the part that breaks off from rusting or carbon up.
The plugs that came out of the Mustang had zero carbon but the entire lower portion of the plug that can get stuck and break had a solid coat of rust on them.
Stainless plugs (if they make em for this application) like used on boat engines could also be a solution.
I did find that Motorcraft made a wholesale part number change for the factory spec plugs. Maybe they're improved?

Coming up on 100,000 mile and don't leave home with out...

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-42025-HELP-Cylinder-Repair/dp/B000TYVU1U

Coil over plug

Fuel filter

And to add insult to injury there was the cam phaser/timing chain issues with the 3 valve Tritons!!!!!

The Triton plugs spitting out in the 5.4, 4.6 and 6.8 in the early years was because of the 4 little threads they had and usually happened after being replaced and then being OVER TORQUED and killing the 4 thread plug in the aluminum head..

The Triton plugs being broke off in the head with the 2004+ 5.4 3V using those long 2 piece plugs was because the part of the plug in the head would carbon up and not let the plug screw out and would break at the 2 piece part..

Had nothing to do with the threads and whether or not you had anti seize on the threads or not... Actually, on the early heads, if you used anti seize, that would cause the 4 thread plugs to work themselves out over time and then blow out...

Anyway, just more "interweb" talk from someone who has no real clue on it other than owing a 97 5.4 F150 and changed the plugs 3 times in 255,000 miles and never had a "blow out"..

You could not give me a 5.4 3V equipped truck... That's why I waited so long with my 97 to get my 13 F150.. But then, that's another whole "interweb" discussion isn't it?? :)

Anyway, just more "interweb" talk, so there you go.. ha, ha!

Mitch

^ Those weren't the long plugs like the 3v engines. I wouldn't want to pull the plugs with that many miles if they were the long ones. There's a reason every parts store I've been to recently stocks the tool to remove the broken parts.

Mine are now all slobbered up with antiseize, in the event us or our son keeps the car long enough to need spark plugs.

Friend of a friend who owns a repair shop said anyone brings him one of those vehicles automatically gets told it will be 2 days minimum and first thing he does is pull all the coils and shoot each hole full of Deep Creep, next day starts working them a couple, following day, remove them.