Spark plug lawsuit

[nwapache]

Well, after having my spark plug blow out last night, and reading that its a common problem....i'm going to look at organizing a class action lawsuit.
If you have had a spark plug blow out on you, would you post a reply just to say yes, and what the mileage was at the time.....I will take the information to an attorney some time in the next week or two, if there are as many out there as I think there are.....

 

[SeanD1111]

Maybe you should go look at some of the truck boards. many people have tried this and no one has been successful doing so. Most people loose a plug after the warranty period and it does not happen as often as you think. You read about it more on the boards b/c people that it happens to want to come here and share their experience or ask questions. What about all the others that it never happens to, that do not ever come here?

www.f150online.com
www.ford-trucks.com

 

[Dusstbuster]

Not 100% sure on this but I believe there already was a CA lawsuit filed on this and it got dropped. Like I said, i'm not 100% sure, but according to some other guys I know they said that this went through and failed...

 

[nwapache]

thanks for the input...i'll be doing a lot of research on it....keep the info coming

 

[timeless2]

Inside a sticky in 4.6 Tech, there is a thread of people that have been affected.

 

[nwapache]

I've read it,....am wondering/guessing that there are more people out there....

 

[2013 Geee T]

Im afraid to change my plugs now because of this since they are saying in there for now!

 

[nwapache]

leaving your plugs in is no guarantee....some of the posts i've read it happens anyway...

 

[Mike97gt]

leaving your plugs in is no guarantee....some of the posts i've read it happens anyway...

many times it happens with the stock plugs that were never removed. The problem is they loosen slightly over time and rattle in the spark plug boss, after a little while the plug with remove all the threads from the softer aluminum head.

Over the years we have heard of several ways to help prevent this from ford engineers but nothing ever official has lasted long before being taken down. These "fixes" have ranged from a little higher than spec torque ( this is the current method, a revised torque spec) to things as drastic as putting loctite on the plugs ( do not try this I experimented with it a little and it held the plugs in nice and tight but there is possible thread damage on removal)

Ford recommends the new torque spec.. under no circumstances should you try the loctite thing. That was first suggested to us back in 2002 as a dealer broadcast message regarding PDI procedures of the 2002 lighting. Since ford never suggested it again and changed there mind quickly after issuing this I would imagine it is a bad Idea. So DO NOT TRY THAT!!!

best thing to to is torque the plugs to the revised spec and check them once in awhile, and if you hear ticking from the motor check them RIGHT AWAY!!!!

 

[fastangboi]

what is the revised torque? ive read that it was 7-14 ft lbs.

 

[AmBo]

nwapache, you blew out your plugs?! Did you torque them down right? I'm so sorry to hear. Just after you get blown. Now I'm nervous! Ugh!

 

[Mustang5L5]

Aren't there new plugs that are threaded down further than the stockers?

37K miles on my GT, no plugs have ever blown out and i'd like to keep it that way

 

[san~man]

Haha, I've had 2 plugs let go. I hope no one else has my "luck."

1 covered under the initial 30k warranty, the 2nd covered under the ESP extended warranty. $1200.00 well spent IMO.

 

[nwapache]

From what I understand 01-03 are the problem years for 4.6 and 5.4....the cylinder holes are only partially threaded for these years.
I torqued my plugs to 11lbs, and then went on a 1500 mile road trip....so it happened pretty fast.
San-Man......did you helicoil them when they went, or time sert? Was it the same hole that went 2x or 2 different ones?

 

[san~man]

From what I understand 01-03 are the problem years for 4.6 and 5.4....the cylinder holes are only partially threaded for these years.
I torqued my plugs to 11lbs, and then went on a 1500 mile road trip....so it happened pretty fast.
San-Man......did you helicoil them when they went, or time sert? Was it the same hole that went 2x or 2 different ones?

One new head each time, passenger side and driver side. At Ford's expense, of course, other than my $50.00 deductable for the second head.

The second time it happened, Ford sent out an inspector for my car to check it out. I guess since it was the second time, they were leery about replacing it but they did. I must say, thank god I had Motorcraft plugs in there, or that might have given them an excuse to try and deny the warranty.