3V Spark plug change hell

kooldawg6 · Feb 25, 2008

tr7driver said:
For daily drivers, maybe the thing to do is just not bother them for 100K and budget for a major repair or upgrades at that time. If they come out OK, you win with "mod money" in the bank. If they don't and you have the funds for anticipated repairs/improvements, you still come out ok.

The way I'm going, I'll be at 100K miles in another two years So I will probably just wait unless there is a problem that arises before that mark.

RagtopV8 · Feb 26, 2008

It looks like Champion has a new one piece plug for the 3V 5.4L engines.

http://www.f150online.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318761&page=2

View attachment 328814

metroplex · Feb 26, 2008

It appears the 5.4L 3V and 4.6L 3V can use the same spark plugs. So if someone develops a 1-piece Platinum/Iridium spark plug for the 5.4L 3V V8, and assuming it is the proper heat-range, it would be compatible with the 4.6L 3V V8.

I would ONLY consider a 1-piece plug if it meets the following criteria:
1). OEM-spec materials and quality
2). Platinum and/or iridium electrode materials

Copper plugs do not last long and I have no intention of swapping plugs every 1-2 years. I used to run AWSFA-12C's in my 4.6L 2V and I couldn't get more than 15k miles without the center electrode wearing down so much that the gap increased. I pulled the OEM-factory AGSF-22WM iridium plugs out of the 5.4L 2V with 22k miles and they looked brand new.

CPman · Feb 26, 2008

Is there a fuel additive available that could be used in a maintance capacity to keep the stock plugs clean so they are efficient for a longer period of time.

88GTtom · Feb 26, 2008

here is a one piece from brenspeed, but is 2 stages colder then stock, but im sure the company makes them for stock apps.
http://www.brenspeed.com/mustang_2005/images/3vr14s.jpg

GOLDENPONY · Feb 26, 2008

Plug

I just read on an F150 sight that Champion is introducing a platinum one piece design plug for the 5.4 engines. Supposedly they will begin showing up in the parts stores very soon. I wonder if the 5.4 uses the same heat range plugs as our GTs. Anybody know? I thought the heads were pretty much the same.
Somebody on that sight is convinced Motorcraft will be bringing out a 1 piece plug too.
Right now Ford is trying to ignore the 800 lb. gorilla in the living room, but they'll have to face it sooner or later.

ROUSH STANG II · Feb 26, 2008

I just changed the plugs when I installed the turbo (the car has 25,000 miles). I changed the first two no problem. The third one sheared off where the plug bevels. I was about to panic, but it didn't break the insulator. I sprayed penetrating gel (Prizm brand) in the hole and moved on to the next plug. It was stuck too, so I sprayed the rest of the plugs with the lube. Waited a while...tried again and all the plugs came out effortlessly. Then I used a 1/4" ease-out to remove the broken plug. After coating the bevel with antiseize I installed the HTO's. Next time I will spray them before I attempt to remove them!!!

RagtopV8 · Feb 27, 2008

Here's more info on the new Champion plugs...

http://www.championsparkplugs.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=1433389&pid=27288

GOLDENPONY · Feb 27, 2008

Plugs

I'll probably be buying a set of these in a year or 2. I'll bet there will be quite a few one piece designs (including Motorcraft) by then.

metroplex · Feb 27, 2008

I'm with GOLDENPONY. I'm not about to rush out and waste $80 on new plugs that I don't need right now.

GOLDENPONY · Feb 27, 2008

New Champion Plug

I see where Champion has introduced a new one piece design plug for the 3V engine (#7989). It is double platinum and being a one piece design should drastically reduce or eliminate breakage problems. The ad I saw had a price of $16.23 ea, but I'll bet they will come down. The dealer charged me $19.13 ea. for OE (POS) two piece crimped Motorcrafts.

ski · Feb 28, 2008

ROUSH STANG II said:
I just changed the plugs when I installed the turbo (the car has 25,000 miles). I changed the first two no problem. The third one sheared off where the plug bevels. I was about to panic, but it didn't break the insulator. I sprayed penetrating gel (Prizm brand) in the hole and moved on to the next plug. It was stuck too, so I sprayed the rest of the plugs with the lube. Waited a while...tried again and all the plugs came out effortlessly. Then I used a 1/4" ease-out to remove the broken plug. After coating the bevel with antiseize I installed the HTO's. Next time I will spray them before I attempt to remove them!!!

Glad to hear that things worked out ok for you.
Was your car modded with a CAI and tune when it was N/A?
If yes, what was the tune's octane rating?
Thanks.

plnfixr320 · Feb 29, 2008

GOLDENPONY said:
I just read on an F150 sight that Champion is introducing a platinum one piece design plug for the 5.4 engines. Supposedly they will begin showing up in the parts stores very soon. I wonder if the 5.4 uses the same heat range plugs as our GTs. Anybody know? I thought the heads were pretty much the same.

The 3v 5.4 and 4.6 use the same size plugs however; the stock Mustang GT plug is one heat range colder than the stock F150 plug. I have seen the Saleen S/C kit for the truck coming with basic Mustang GT plugs. So the plugs that Champion is offering for the truck would not be a good Mustang FI plug.

metroplex · Feb 29, 2008

I thought the trucks would have a colder plug? That has almost always been the case with the 5.4L 2V vs the 4.6L 2V. For example, my 03 5.4L 2V uses AGSF-22WM from the factory, while my 00 4.6L 2V used AWSF-32PP. These are the previous Motorcraft numbers that made sense.

ROUSH STANG II · Feb 29, 2008

ski said:
Glad to hear that things worked out ok for you.
Was your car modded with a CAI and tune when it was N/A?
If yes, what was the tune's octane rating?
Thanks.

When I bought the car it had (20,000 miles) a Mac air filter and heat sheild that didn't require a re-tune. I had the car tuned and used an SCT programmer set on the 93 octane rating for about 5,000 miles before going FI.

GOLDENPONY · Mar 6, 2008

Spark Plug hell-Post Script

Well fellow Mustangers, I have some positive news concerning this whole ugly experience. To bring you all up to speed, I had contacted Ford when I was charged $611.13 to remove 6 broken spark plugs and install a new set. I had broken 1 and had the car taken to the dealer where 5 more were broken off by their tech. I also wrote the President of the dealership (Beechmont Ford in Cincinnati, Ohio).

I was back to the dealership today for the recent recall for the passenger air bag. While I was waiting, the head service manager came to me and presented me with a check for the full amount of the repair. As I understand it, Ford had authorized the refund. From what the service manager told me, Ford knows they have a serious problem here. I am happy to report my faith is restored, both in my dealer, and The Ford Motor Company. My Mustang and it's owner are happy again.

walter · Mar 6, 2008

Awesome so when is the recall coming up?

cave diver · Mar 6, 2008

That's great news, I'm glad they took care of you

GOLDENPONY · Mar 6, 2008

Recall?

walter said:
Awesome so when is the recall coming up?

Haven't heard anything about a recall yet, but I wouldn't be surprised. Keep your ear to the ground.

SlideWRX · Mar 7, 2008

GOLDENPONY said:
Haven't heard anything about a recall yet, but I wouldn't be surprised. Keep your ear to the ground.

Well, the car is funtioning as planned, so no recall as such; it isn't something that NHTSA would pull the car soff the road for.

What's between a TSB & a recall? Customer satisfaction something-something? Depends, but sometimes they are sent to the customer to bring the car in; other times it is just addressed at the time of the repair.

Tom

3V Spark plug change hell

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount

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