Spark Plugs Blowing Out...

[coldbear]

I have been reading reports of the Ford Triton engine blowing plugs from aluminum threaded heads.Wow...I now own three of these Triton powered trucks and was wondering if other people have heard of FoMoCo's defective problem? Perhaps one could honestly tell his horor story of blown plugs.This started happening in 2000 and is still embarrasing the Ford camp.Seems like many are blowing the #3 plug.{and coil packs].I love my Expedition but now have doubts of it's longlivity.

[peter]

I have seen one at my buddys shop on a expedtion. He replaced both heads I know and I think they did the timing chains as well. Looked like a lot of work in a tight spot. I think he also said ford had a thread repair kit for that, but not the best fix!

[miaferominka]

I have blown #3 and #7 Twice on a E350 Van

[schmokin]

The preventitive measures of this issue are to replace the spark plugs with a longer shank plug.

Another sad issue with the Triton heads are that the exhaust manifold bolts have a corrosion issue in which the bolts corode to the point of breaking or inability to remove the nut. What this means is if you need to remove the head for either plug or manifold problems makes this a very significant effort/cost.

[zx6r1996]

Yep, it's a true problem, primarily on 1997 to around 2001 5.4s. I blew #3 out on my 98 Expedition. My repair shop removed both heads and installed timeserts (collars, essentially) into all 8 holes. That work, along with some other things I had done, came to around $3200.

That was in January of 2007 I believe. Since then, they have developed a kit that is able to place those timeserts from the top of the engine, so removing the heads is not necessary. My repair technician is very confident that the new kit will work just fine.

schmokin, I don't think using a longer shank will make a difference. The problem is that there are only about 4 threads in the aluminum head that hold the plug. More threads on the plug won't make a difference.

It's too bad this is reality... Otherwise that engine in my Expedition is great. Now I don't have to worry since it's been fixed, but I know there's alot of guys out there who are nervous.

[goingnorth]

Oh Boy, Coldbear,

Only one fix, replace the heads right from the start. I lost track of the number of plugs I replaced in my 2003 v-10 Excursion. I've had three different people do replacements. Insert's, Heli-coils etc. Ford tech's as well as local mechanic's. I even had some blow out after replacement.

Some people say they have had only one blow out.

When I'm headed up north and it's -20 f. and falling I'm not real interested in being stranded anywhere.

A typical heli arc replacement should be under $600

Check out blownoutsparkpug.com

[lenny]

I had a 5.4 in my 01 excursion with 170,000 miles, Just sold it with no oroblems. Maybe I was lucky than

[goingnorth]

Lenny, I was sure hoping that was the case every time I replaced a plug. Love the Excursion so that's why I went ahead and replaced the head, only 114,000 miles. So I should have another 50,000 or 60,000 to go now.

[scott_b]

I didn't have the plugs blow out but I did have 7 of the 8 plugs come apart in the engine on my 06 Explorer. This 2 part plug design is terrible. I was changing the plugs and the nut and treads came out leaving the insulator and electrode in the engine. Very luck Napa had the tool in stock to remove them.

[coldbear]

Thanks for all the info. Now to call my local Ford Dealer and give him my opinion on the subject.One would think that in this time that a steel insert could be installed from the factory to eliminate this SP flaw.I do love my Fords,but won't put up break downs in minus 20 to support em.Ford needs to admitt their mistake to retain brand loyal fans.

[zx6r1996]

Coldbear, don't worry about breaking down if it does blow out a plug... I drove mine 120 miles with a blown out plug. It was one noisy ride, believe me! (POP..POP..POP..POP..lol) But I figured "screw it, if it's junk then it's junk". But I had it fixed and have another 35,000 miles on it since then with no problems. I just took it to New York City back in June. I have full confidence in the truck.

Ford is not admiting to anything. They know better. A class action suit with the costs like that would be catastrophic. Besides, the vehicles made it through the warranty period, so that is all Ford (or any manufacturer) should be liable for.

[trailshredder]

I had an 01 Expedition that blew out a plug. I got ahold of these guys at www.blownoutsparkplug.com (http://www.blownoutsparkplug.com) they came to my house fixed the car and we never had the problem again. You DO NOT need new heads. What happens is the plugs are way down in a "hole". When someone changes the plugs they don't clean the hole and replace the plugs. The plugs are now seated on rust and dirt that evintually gives away allowing the plug to loosen up. So if anyone has one of these motors make sure whoever changes your plug knows how to properly clean the hole out before installing the new ones.

[zx6r1996]

trailshredder, I bought my Expedition with 39k miles on it, and it blew a plug at 99k. The plugs were never changed, so that's not the cause.

I have heard some shops will not change the plugs on those engines for fear that they will strip them out.

[ubee]

Had a plug blow out of a 247 rotax during a race! scared the <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font> out of me!! put er in back in with some cig tin foil!!

[trailshredder]

zx6r- I am just telling you what I have found out during my investigation of the problem. That is exactly what happened in my situation. Maybe there is other causes but from what I have found out this problem is deffinately the main cause of spark plug blow out.

[miaferominka]

My plugs were never changed before they blew