Tuning up your vehicle is important the older it gets. So for this episode of Driveway Rescue, Jeremy and LT help out Chris and his F-150 that appears to be misfiring and needing a tune-up. And since these Ford 5.4L 3-Valve V8s are notorious for having spark plugs break off in the cylinder head when being replaced, the guys have a few tips and tricks to avoid that.
The original spark plugs from Ford were made in two pieces which allows carbon and soot to build up between the tip of the spark plug and the cylinder head, which forms a tight bond. Then when you go to loosen the plug, that’s when the nut and top section can break off. Here are the tricks and products to try if you think that may be an issue.
1) have an extractor tool on hand. You can find them here from RockAuto.com (https://www.rockauto.com/)
2) add a fuel additive to your tank and run it through to help clean up carbon and help with the release
3) start the engine, let it run until it warms a bit, and the heat may help release the plugs
To get the plugs out, start by cracking it lose and go less than half a turn. Then spray some penetrating oil in the hole and let soak for half an hour to loosen the carbon. The plugs should then be ready to take out. When putting in the replacement spark plugs, you can use an updated one-piece version to eliminate any failure problems going forward. Newer plugs, like the ones shown, are double platinum and will have a longer service life. To make sure the new plugs don’t get stuck for the next tune up apply some anti-seize to the threads and tip.
In addition to changing the spark plugs, the guys tune up the rest of the ignition system including the coil assemblies and O2 sensors. You can find all the parts with different brands and budget options for a complete tune-up at RockAuto.com.
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Putting anti sieze on the threads is not recommended. Only apply Nickle High Temp Anti Sieze on the smooth section below the thread and short of the tip.
Also suggest using the updated Motorcraft Spark Plug (SP546X) and not Champion brand.
I'm doing this plug change now with p b blaster taking my time. The 2 plugs under the dash are difficult challenge and I wouldn't recommend without experience and research. I used champion growing up However mechanics in the know say Motorcraft is issue free. At $21 dollars a plug, Ford could have at least paid for new plugs to replace a faulty two-piece plug that separates needing an extractor to remove it from the head.
😎nice….but you didnt show how you got those far back plugs out?🤔😪
I have a F150 2005 and my truck needs a tune up I'm his window and I've done all I can Ford dealership charges a fortune if plugs Breakf
SORRY GUYS AND READERS TO THIS VIDEO. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT USE CHAMPION SPARK PLUGS IN YOUR FORD F150. ONLY MOTORCRAFT PLUGS NEWEST VERSION IS SP546, NOT THE PREVIOUSLY RECOMMENDED SP515. THOSE ARE OUTDATED. USE MOTORCRAFT ONLY SP546. I WONDER IF THESE GUYS ARE GETTING PAID TO SHOW CHAMPION PLUGS. THIS IS NO REASON TO SHARE BAD INFORMATION. THESE ENGINES HAVE A BAD REPUTATION, SO FOLLOW CLOSELY. DO NOT PUT ANTISIEZE ON THE THREADS AS THE PLUGS SOMETIMES BLOW OUT, SO DONT HELP IN ALONG BY LATHERING ANTISIEZE ON THE THREADS. MAYBE ON THE PLUG SHAFT TO KEEP CARBON OFF THEM, BUT NOT ON THE ELECTRODE TIP EITHER FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. AND LASTLY, DONT WAIT ANOTHER 100,000 MILES BEFORE YOU CHANGE THE PLUGS AGAIN. YES, THEY'RE PLATINUM PLUGS, SO THEY'RE DURABLE, BUT THEY DONT LAST 100,000 MILES, AND YOU'LL HAVE TROUBLE ALL OVER AGAIN REMOVING THE PLUGS. SO INSTALL EFFICIIENT PLUGS, AND TO MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT RUNNING ENGINE, CHANGE THEM AFTER 60,000 MILES TO KEEP GASOLINE MILEAGE EFFICIENCY. IT PAYS TO CHANGE THE PLUGS IN A SHORTER INTERVAL. SORRY FOR YELLING, BUT THESE GUYS MAKE ME NERVIOUS.
Can you get that extraction tool into cylinder 4?
What model Champion Spark plus did yall use???? are all the Champion Plugs 1 piece. we have the broken plug problem on our 2005 Mustang Gt 4.6 3v. i fiund the Champion 7989 is a direct fit , is that the 1 piece plug?
Another of Ford's "BETTER IDEAS". How do you remove a damaged spark plug tube on Ford 3.5 V6, and other ford engines?
Break off the plug into the cylinder and show everyone how to use that pretty little tool
Great video! Very informative and entertaining.
I am having the same issue and now my truck won't start at all
Can you guys do this to my 04' F-150 ?
They didn’t even torque the spark plugs and they put anti seize on the treads! Your supposed to put it on the barrel or shank of the spark plug so it comes out easy next time.. putting anti seize on the treads created more problems for this motor..
What a pain in the ass. Take off all that stuff just to get at the plugs, then more fun.
Use Blaster and spray it in hole and wait… then twist a little and spray a little more in… then wait… then twist very slowly until it comes out
Can y’all fix my truck
Wow just what I need on my f150! Gotta change out my injector coils and spark plugs the more I you tube it the more I’m afraid to tackle my fix it! But this miss fix it will be fixing her f150 soon I’ve got 5 out of 6 cylinders to fix!
The tan / brown coil on plug boots you pulled out indicate that this engine has the updated plugs. They do not break like the old style with the black boots do. The change happened in late 2007 / early 2008. Still a good video though. The old style coil and the prone to breaking plugs have 3L3E or 3L3Z on the coil. The new style coil with the better plugs have 8L3Z on them.
Actually a good video….not too much fake bullshit and informative
didnt help him with the cracked exhuast manifold on the passanger side?? LOL
That was so sweet of you guys to do.
Holy anti seize batman! Stop putting it on chromed plugs people!
"Work truck"
That's awesome. You guys could spend a week at my place helping out. Lol. Keep up the great work. Thanks
Horrible design. It makes it almost impossible to do basic maintenance on the thing. The last Ford truck I had was a '72 with a 351 Windsor in it. All you need was a deep sparkplug socket and a ratchet. Took less than 20 minutes to swap the plugs, wires, and distributor cap and points out. Good olé days.
Xor is unwatchable these two jackholes don't have a clue a sissy of a man and a chubby girl are not what we want to watch please fix this