Forum Discussion

punomatic's avatar
punomatic
Explorer
Jan 05, 2016

This couldn't happen to a nicer guy

Well, I finally have experienced the Triton V10 spark plug spit out in the PU in my signature below. Traveling up US101 yesterday near Coos Bay, OR and pulling a long grade, we heard a loud bang followed by a pop-pop-pop. At the first opportunity, I pulled over, opened the hood and could feel poof-poof-poof near the #10 cylinder.

Called GSRA, and although they had a little trouble finding an available tow service, we ended up at LTM Truck and RV repair in Coos Bay. These are wonderful people who immediately went to work on the truck. In three hours' time, we were on the road again. By then it was dark, cold and raining. DW suggested getting a motel, and since I was chilled to the bone, I didn't argue. After dinner in a restaurant and a long hot shower, life is good.

Question for you fellow Triton V10 owners: #10 cylinder is the one that spit the plug, and I seem to recall reading this is the one that usually goes. Is that correct? Can I trust this engine? It purrs like a kitten and has 128K miles, no fluid leaks. I love this truck, but this has me a little spooked.

BTW, I don't want to hear from all of you Ram, Chevy, Diesel or other owners telling me how bad Ford is or how bad gassers are. I'm looking for input from Triton V10 owners. Thanks.
Tom
Tow Vehicles
  • PUCampin's avatar
    PUCampin
    Explorer
    Jan 05, 2016
    My dad has a 2000 Expy with the 5.4 (same engine minus 2 cyl). His spit one plug, don't remember which one, but none others since. It has over 200k miles.

    I will also say the dealer is not always the greatest. My 07 Expy has the issue where the plugs bind and break in half. I did not want to deal with this so I had the dealer change the plugs to the tune of $519. A couple months later I got a ticking sound and gas smell. 3 of the 4 passenger plugs were hand tight, #8 was almost 2 full turns out causing the ticking and fuel smell. They forgot to torque them after installing them!
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Jan 05, 2016
    When I sold my 2002 F250 V10 it had about 120,000 miles with no problems. I had Ford change the plugs out at 100,000 miles. I think the biggest problem is getting the job done properly. I wouldn't try it myself. I have a 2008 F250 V10 and not problems at 65,000 miles. I heard the problem had been fixed in the later models. Wish I had the F350 instead of the F250.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Jan 05, 2016
    Look on the repair order and see if you see "Time-Sert" in the parts section. If you see this, you are good to go.

    3 hours is smokin fast repair from beginning to end! My hat is off to the tech!
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jan 05, 2016
    punomatic wrote:
    BTW, I don't want to hear from all of you Ram, Chevy, Diesel or other owners telling me how bad Ford is or how bad gassers are. I'm looking for input from Triton V10 owners. Thanks.
    Tom


    Good luck with that in an open online forum...

    Frankly, if I were in your situation, I would keep driving the truck. It's got low miles, is presumably paid for, and is a known quantity to you.

    As a casual observer, while you hear about a spit plug from time to time, you don't hear about it ALL the time. I think the worst is behind you. The helicoil kit to fix it isn't all that expensive so maybe as cheap insurance you should get one and keep it under the seat in the cab. Worst comes to worse you could fix it yourself on the road if you were truly stranded.
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Jan 05, 2016
    I HAD an 01 Triton that spit a plug in 02 or 03 ?? I do not remember which plug or which year ?? it was repaired and all was good...
  • bid_time's avatar
    bid_time
    Nomad II
    Jan 05, 2016
    2002, F250 w/V10, 150,000 miles - no problems so far (knock on wood).
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jan 05, 2016
    I own a 2009 V-10 with 67k on it and have not experienced any problems nor do I expect to. I plan to have the plugs changes at 75 or 80k by Ford. How many miles were on those plugs, were they original?
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Jan 05, 2016
    How many miles, who put the plugs in and what did they do to fix it?
    #10 is a hard one to get to and may not have been torqued properly last time it was changed. Did it fall out or did it rip out the threads?

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