Threw a plug!!!!!

[HercFE]

Well, I was driving home from work today and threw a plug for the #3 cylinder, I barely limped it into Ford and they said it definitely did, I will get the extended warranty every time I buy a car now. It's only costing me 50$!! I hope they replace both heads though, I'd hate for it to happen on the old head when my warranty runs out. I'm wondering if they would put some FRPP headers on for me since they have to pull old ones anyways, if the labors free, would they be worth the money?? Sounds like this plug thing happens often from what I've read on here, has Ford recognized this problem???

 

[sgarlic]

They issued a TSB that discourages anyone from trying to re-tap the factory heads, they recommend the entire head be replaced, although there are kits out there to re-tap.

Out of curiosity, had you messed with the plugs at all prior to this happening, or are they the stock ones?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Yes, do you have the stock factory installed plugs???

 

[HercFE]

It had different plugs in, the service rep said it wasn't a plug problem, he said the thickness of the material where the plug threads in was the problem. He said Ford covers it either way. he also said the new heads were supposed to be better, but I don't know if thats true, I just hope they replace both of them. Should I get the aftermarket headers??

 

[Kilgore Trout]

THey will not put headers on your car. It is warranty work, you are lucky to be gettin the heads.

There's no work like warranty work...

 

[sgarlic]

If you had the stock '02 heads on there, then you'll be getting the same ones.. just regular old PI heads. If they plan on doing some custom port/polish work or something, then yeah.. it'd be better.

 

[Mike97gt]

you will only get the head that the plug blew out of.

bet your glad you have that warrenty now.

 

[V6&V8SHO]

Do they make better heads aftermarket that resolves this issue?

 

[Mike97gt]

Do they make better heads aftermarket that resolves this issue?

nope. somebody should. esp. for the lightings

 

[sgarlic]

No aftermarket heads for our cars yet.. just ported/polished versions of the stock ones.

 

[the98stang]

God all these spark plug blow outs are scaring me...I need to check the torque on mine!

 

[san~man]

"Supposedly" the 04 heads have more threads designed into them versus the 99-03 heads and those are the ones used to replace the stripped heads.

 

[007]

Actually its worth asking your dealer (but dont get the FRPP headers they are crap).

I had a head replaced and my dealer (awesome) was fine with removing the other head too, keeping the car for 2 weeks while I send out both heads to be ported, and then re-installing both heads. I think they want a couple of hundred bucks! AND MY WIFE DIDNT LET ME DO IT.

 

[Mike97gt]

007. i know the only way a dealer would install aftermarket parts during the install is if the customer wanted to pay cash to have the aftermarket parts put on.

 

[shallowreef]

maybe i missed it but exactly what causes a spark plug to blow? so i can prevent that from happening

 

[HercFE]

When I talked to the service rep he said the cause was the thickness of the metal where the plug threads into the head, apparently it's not very thick. I wasn't beating on the car when it happened, just cruising at 80 on the highway when the check engine light came on and the engine started missing or sorta backfiring, you could also smell fuel. I'm just happy I could limp it to the dealer!!

 

[Mike97gt]

maybe i missed it but exactly what causes a spark plug to blow? so i can prevent that from happening

the plugs loosen over time and when this happens the firing of the cyl and compression vibrate the plug untill it destorys all the thread on the head. after a the threads are gone it shoots out taking the coil with it.

every once in awile it's a good idea to tighten down your plugs.

 

[VPStang]

the plugs loosen over time and when this happens the firing of the cyl and compression vibrate the plug untill it destorys all the thread on the head. after a the threads are gone it shoots out taking the coil with it.

every once in awile it's a good idea to tighten down your plugs.

is it true what the above poster said about the issue being resolved with 04 heads?

 

[SilverBullet00]

every once in awile it's a good idea to tighten down your plugs.

Mine are ALWAYS loosening, its getting extremely anoying, is there anything else I can do to keep them in place?

 

[HercFE]

When I found out some info on the new head(s) I will pass along. The service manager at my dealership is also the guy who runs our mustang so I'm sure I'll get a straight answer from him. This plug loosening thing shouldn't be happening, is it because the heads are aluminum?? I never run into this problem before when I was into the small block chevy's..