UPDATE: taking the plunge. F-150 spark plug change

[mosseater]

Original link here for any who are interested.

I started today at 11 am (Sat.). It is now 3 pm and I don't have one plug out yet. After removing a few things for easier access and gathering tools and supplies, I removed the COP's and blew out the holes. Then I shot a short shot of PB blaster in to help ease the looseing. I let that sit for 15 mins then set the torque wrench at 20 ft/lb. No dice. Moved up to 30. Still no joy. Long story short, at 50 they started to cooperate. A couple were way above that, not sure how high, but my experience tells me 70+! Ford says break free torque should be around 33 ft/lb. Uh...NO! Not even close.

After using the "all torque and no horsepower" method of loosening them 1/4 turn, I hosed the bores with about 2 seconds worth of Ford Carb Cleaner and waited about 30 mins. I then set the wrench to 30 and proceeded to loosen some more until they stopped and the wrench clicked. Next I blew out the bores with air and hit it with another 2 seconds of carb cleaner. I'm now eating lunch planning my next move.

I'm guessing all are about 3/4 to one full turn loose, and with my x-ray vision, I think the tip of the plug with all the carbon on it is probably wedged at the mouth of the bore inside the chamber. I'm contemplating screwing them in and trying to come out again, but I don't want to ruin the threads, so not sure. I'm kinda feeling like if they haven't come out by now, they're likely not going to, so might as well go for the gold and see what happens. I might try one with hand tools and one with impact (3/8 butter fly with adjustable air flow). I've seen and hear some folks have great success with this method because the hammering doesn't turn the plug as much as it shocks it, which helps the carbon lose it's grip. Might as well make a science project out of it, eh. Even though some of them jerked and squeeked a little, I don't believe any have broken yet or they'd likely come right out, so I'm operating under that supposition.

Stay tuned for further updates. Prayers welcome.

[spoon059]

Makes me wonder why people don't change them sooner. They don't cost that much money. If it would save me 8 hours of aggravation, I would change them at 60K miles...

[Turbo_Diesel_Du]

Wonder how hard the job will be on my V6 Ecoboost.

[cjoseph]

My Ford dealer did my work truck (2010 Expy) and kept it over night. They had a laundry list so needed two days anyway, but told me it is best to do the overnight soak.

[K_Charles]

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[K_Charles]

I did my 2004 X V10 with about 125,000 miles last year. Took about 2 1/2 hrs. Blew them out with air, sprayed them with liquid wrench, and turned them 1/8 turn. About 15 min later I blew them out with air again and took them out.

[RoyB]

Now you know why FORD wants so much money to do it... My family friend here did his FORD F150 and took several days. I didn't get to watch him but heard the story several times over hehe...

He had one of his plugs blow out the hole and he got that fixed up first...

I traded my 2004 for the 2010 F150 I have now. The 2004 had 150K on it using same plugs...

I'm sometimes handy with these things but this one I probably would let Ford do it after hearing all of the horror stories...

Roy Ken

[houseoffools]

I did the plugs on my 05 Expy last year, with about 100K miles on them. Prior to starting, I read everything I could find about the subject and pre-purchased the Lisle removal tool. I took my time doing the job, and in total took me 7-8 hours spread out over two days. I did the soaking thing, cracking 1/4 turn, soaking again and let sit overnight. I tried both impact wrench and socket wrench. In the end I still broke two plugs, one with each method. Thankfully both were near the front of the engine. Lisle tool worked perfectly though. Worst part of the job was being hunched over the engine compartment for that many hours...killed my back! Good luck in getting them out.

[BenK]

Carb cleaner?!?

I'd use liquid wrench or some such that won't harm the piston ring/cyclinders

What is happening, my guess, is that the carbon build up is NOT at the tip, but
*ALL* along the extended nose barrel. That then crumbles as it comes along and
further binds

Recommend liquid wrench type, work it loose till it stops, turn it back
in 1/4 turn and then spray to soak a bit

Loosen till it stop again. Turn it in a 1/4 turn and spray.

This will soak the carbon and soften it so that it won't bind.

Repeat till they come out or bust...

Good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



PS...soap box rant....WHEN ARE THE OEM'S going to hire engineers who
actually wrench their own vehicles???

[azrving]

I would work them in and out and try to come out just a little more each time. I wouldn't force them. PB blaster is good.