Dreaded 5.4 plug change

[rdaniel911]

Just sharing this for my fellow bump owners who also own the 5.4 3 valve. Last week I finally jumped into the dreaded spark plug change in my 04 with 105000 on it, but before I did it I obtained the Lisle tool for extracting the broken plugs and the proper 9/16 socket. A few weeks prior to starting this chore, I put a half a tank of gas in the truck and a can of seafoam, when it got down to a 1/8th of a tank, I would bring it back to a half a tank and add another can of seafoam, I did this for 4 times, then I loosened them for a 1/4 turn, put a little PB blaster in the hole and let it set for 3 hours. They came out like a charm, all 8, no breaks, and clean as new thanks to the seafoam. Too bad these new and improved trucks can't be as simple as our old bumps, I love working on our old 68 240.

[adrianspeeder]

Yup, the triton motors are for sure great to whoop up on big blocks of just 20 years ago, but workin' em is a pain. My 4.6L has a blown head gasket for the last three years, and I've never even pushed to start the project.

Adrianspeeder

[cowbay]

Wow good idea. I just picked up a bi/fuel 5.4 and my shop mechanic and I have been dreading the spark plug change. what makes me laugh my shop will tear into anything on the drop of a hat. I think my guys would rather do an oil cooler on a 6.0 vs a plug change on the 5.4. As of right now we are ignoring it. But great pointer I am going to try that. It makes sense what you did and it should work. As an added measure I think I will go to church and light a candle before the removal

[Wes]

Do the plug change on a warm engine, 1/8 to 1/4 turn and some penetrate oil, back and forth, no problems. Have done 3 in last few weeks no broken plugs.

But you have to wonder why anyone would design plugs in 3 pieces, the metal part.

So much fun

[68Slug]

I heard of a Ford tech in my area that pulls them in hot, preps for exactly half an hour (pulls coils, etc) and hits every one with a 3/8 impact, apparently never breaking any

We just have the removal tool, if they break they break, I like the tool once you get fast with it.

[69timemachine]

My '06 Mustang GT had 40,000 miles on it when I decided to go ahead and change them to 1-piece Brisk plugs. I ran a tank of SeaFoam through it, broke the plugs loose 1/8 to 1/4 turn and soaked them with cleaner, only to still have three of them break! The Lisle tool I bought is a lifesaver! I removed all three plug shells with it in about an hour!

[rdaniel911]

That is why I decided to run the volume of seafoam through mine, 4 half tanks with 1 can seafoam each, I have seen them use it at work, but only a can or two before changing the plugs breaking one or two when doing so. I decided to err on the side of caution and did more. seemed to work well on mine. But like I said, I only wish the engine in my 04 was as easy to work on as my 68 240.