2010 F-150 STX 4.6L 2-valve spark plug replacement

[92saturnsl2]

I took on a job for a co-worker to replace plugs on a 2010 F-150. Assumption on my part that it would be a 5.4L 3-valve, which I'm familiar with.

Truck gets here and it's a 4.6L 2 valve. First thing that strikes me is there's tons of room, but the fuel rails cover the coils. Is this as simple as pulling the fuel rails/injectors (looks secured with a few bolts) to get access to the coils and plugs? Fortunately I have injector O-rings on hand as I assume they'll need replaced. Anything I'm missing or need to be aware of for this project? Appreciate any input you folks have!

 

[redhat]

I took on a job for a co-worker to replace plugs on a 2010 F-150. Assumption on my part that it would be a 5.4L 3-valve, which I'm familiar with.

Truck gets here and it's a 4.6L 2 valve. First thing that strikes me is there's tons of room, but the fuel rails cover the coils. Is this as simple as pulling the fuel rails/injectors (looks secured with a few bolts) to get access to the coils and plugs? Fortunately I have injector O-rings on hand as I assume they'll need replaced. Anything I'm missing or need to be aware of for this project? Appreciate any input you folks have!

I don’t have any input but just got to say being a 2V, while not the most powerful, pretty reliable and sweet little truck.

 

[wlk]

On my 5.4l 2v the rail was in the way, had to twist and turn them but they did not have to remove the fuel rail. Good luck

 

[Tomioka]

Did not have to remove the fuel rails when I did spark plugs on a '08 4.6L. There is enough space to pull the coil off the plug and plenty flexible to flex the coil around the rails.

 

[dogememe]

I have never had to remove fuel rail doing plugs on three crown vics nor a 00 f250 5.4.

 

[92saturnsl2]

You all were right, there's enough wiggle / flex in the boots to work them out without touching the fuel rail. At first glance, it sure looked like it would be in the way.

I don’t have any input but just got to say being a 2V, while not the most powerful, pretty reliable and sweet little truck.

You're not lying. If I were in the market for a pickup to drive for the long haul, one like this would be at the top of my list. Ford definitely adhered to the KISS principle with these. 2V 4.6L, traditional transfer case, the 4sp auto might not be high tech but hopefully stout enough for the job. Few bells and whistles, but enough to make the truck look and feel modern.

I've been under the hood of the 4.6/5.4/6.8L in earlier generation F-series trucks (mostly '97-03) and I don't remember having this much access and everything so open. If I wasn't taking my time, this spark plug change would be less than an hour job.

Anyhow, what came out of the truck was Motorcraft "copper" plugs. Owner reports that they've been in the truck since 75K (it has 148K now). They weren't badly worn and gap wasn't excessive. Truck arrived with no misfires or codes stored and left that way.

 

[redhat]

Good looking truck too, that body style is a sharp design. I guess 09-10 were the last 2 years for the 2V in the truck.

I am a GM guy but I know the 2V 4.6 is probably one of the best OHC V8 engines out there. What really goes wrong beyond intake crossovers? Change the oil and they run forever.

Good work OP. Should keep on for a while.

 

[2013ecof150]

Those plugs look good for the mileage. I didn’t know some of those 2v engines used copper plugs. The oe plugs I always put in them were single platinum.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Those plugs look good for the mileage. I didn’t know some of those 2v engines used copper plugs. The oe plugs I always put in them were single platinum.

I was surprised myself, especially at the condition given 75K of use. No idea who changed the plugs before me.

Rockauto doesn't show any Motorcraft plugs available other than copper. The only listing for 2V engines is SP413X which is what I took out. My hunch is that this old dinosaur doesn't really care what plugs you put in it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, so I replaced with the same.

 

[meep]

I just did the same today on my 2018 with the 2.7. Awful routing of wiring harnesses and coolant pipe. It took me about 3.5 hours, maybe a little less. Kind of like bmw where layers of things come off first, but without intelligent wiring clips or looms. The coolant pipe was an insult to anyone performing maintenance. If you unbolt enough stuff you can shove things around, but just barely. I’m sure if I did this regularly it would go a little quicker, but I’ll say that this was probably the slowest plug job I’ve ever done. In comparison I’ve owned a 97 pathfinder, which typically involved intake removal, and 3 transverse v6 minivans, all of which by comparison went easier.

This followed the 4 cyl CRV, which took 25 minutes, taking my time, going slow, using a torque wrench, and compressed air to clean up all the nooks and crannies.

The ford was akin to 3 hours of yoga. Really need one of these: