5.4 3V Spark Plugs

I need advice, I started to change the plugs in my 5.4 and ran into a problem. The base of the plug broke off of the plug and is stuck in the head. I noticed on the first two plugs, a build up of what appeared to be rust. The plugs are extended and the base is at a different diameter than the threaded part of the plug. The base is stuck and when the plug is unscrewed the base seperates. Has anyone come across this issue and how would it be repaired?

Your a dummy!

Don't mess with things you don't understand. Let a professional do the work. The professional has the training and tools to do the job correctly and without having any problems like you are having. They use a special wrench to remove the plugs called a spark plug wrench... Do not use the wrench to take the plug out but only to loosen the plugs a couple of turns. Then before moving any further spray some type of penetrating oil on the plug and base soaking the base well. Let the plugs stand for about an hour... go have a beer or a sandwich then comeback. Without using a tool try removing the plugs with your hand and it should come loose. When using a plug wrench it always has to be in the straight up and down position only. Aslo sounds like your plug may have been defective in the first place. Sounds as if the plugs got way too hot and warped while in the head and mushroomed. Also are you trying to remove the plugs when the are warm? If so let them cool overnight and try again when they are cold. Good Luck

There now is a tsb on how to do this. Ford has yet another spark plug issue.

Frank wrote:

Your a dummy!

...and you can't spell.

Thx wrote:

<quoted text>...and you can't spell.

Looking for help? Visit www.pgsparkplugrepair.com for more information.

Ford Spark Plug Repair wrote:

<quoted text>
Looking for help? Visit www.pgsparkplugrepair.com for more information.

Good info, but it won't help the new plug problems. If there not removed per the tsb they most likely will break. Leaving part of the plug in the head. Even doing it per the tsb there still a good chance they may break, especially if there left in to long. The threads aren't getting stripped out from plugs shooting out anymore like they were. Now it's will the come out with out breaking.

Ford designed a special tool to remove any remains that are left in the head for when this happens. Basically a modified Easy out.

Here is the # TSB 06-5-9

How do you remove the electrode from the combustion chamber?!

kelly wrote:

How do you remove the electrode from the combustion chamber?!

Read this thread, on post 21 and 22 it shows the TSB one how to do it and how to remove it if it breaks.http://www.f150online.c om/forums/showthread.php?t=251 668

and your point is???????

Frank wrote:

and your point is???????

Point is Ford will not be held responsiable if their personel break a plug off in the head. They want to charge the customer for removing the engine to remove the head to remove the broken plug.My point? Ford has misdesigned another cylinder head and is going to make the customer pay.I like Ford but it is increasingly obvious they do not care about their customers. Got the point?

Nope?

I was planning on buying a F 150. Now I think Dodge may be the way to go??

Frank wrote:

Nope?

the point is....you are a dope.

At least I don't live in New Jersey! The home of Joey Buttofucco LOL!

Frank wrote:

At least I don't live in New Jersey! The home of Joey Buttofucco LOL!

No, you live in cally-cool California, the place where a lot of people think they're cool, but know they aren't.

As for the spark plug problem - I'm having it as we speak, and it has cost a lot of time and headache. Even seasoned maechanics will not be familiar with an easy fix, so read the TSB on the above mentioned forum carefully.

Ford engineers somehow overlooked this huge design flaw in an otherwise great engine. Mistakes are inevitable, but Ford has really shown it's true face recently by not oweing up to their mistakes and compensating their customers. Nothing lasts forever, and i think Fords days as a quality auto maker are numbered...

Rex wrote:

<quoted text>
No, you live in cally-cool California, the place where a lot of people think they're cool, but know they aren't.
As for the spark plug problem - I'm having it as we speak, and it has cost a lot of time and headache. Even seasoned maechanics will not be familiar with an easy fix, so read the TSB on the above mentioned forum carefully.
Ford engineers somehow overlooked this huge design flaw in an otherwise great engine. Mistakes are inevitable, but Ford has really shown it's true face recently by not oweing up to their mistakes and compensating their customers. Nothing lasts forever, and i think Fords days as a quality auto maker are numbered...

Rex, I know California has a lot of idiots but the weather is always nice.
You are right about Ford and some of the problems but not everyone has a bone to pick with ford. If you read some of these posts people are trying to do stuff to these trucks that hey are not meant to do. They get the truck new and change everything, the chip them, they change the air intakes, the start messing with things they don't understand. Then they blame ford that the thing is broken... Some of these guys can really mess up these new motors. The engineers at ford or any other auto maker design the motors to run with stock parts and all the parameters are set for that. In this case we are talking about Pickup's they are made for hauling and everyday use. but if you read, these guys around here sound as if they race them. The best thing to do is contact ford in a civil tone of voice, and let them know what has happened to your truck and ask them for some type of resolution. It may be a design flaw, but they may be able to come up with some solutions of what their responsiblity is to take care of this. I would use words to the effect of "Safe, Safety, Hazarrd, Fire, when communicating with ford. These types of words, not insults will get a better response from them. They need time to correct the problem. I know that it doesn't fix your trucks but it's a start. Good luck!