Ford spark plugs blow outs

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gfh77665

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I understand the Triton engines have a propensity to "blow out" spark plugs due to weak aluminum threads. I would like to know how common this is. Is it 1 in 100? 1 in 10? 1 in a 1000? Does it generally happen at certain mileages?

I am NOT wanting a Ford bashing thread, Im just seeking general info about this, thanks.
 
On the 2v Windsor heads its 1 of every 2 is my guess and happened to me twice on the same engine but different head each time.
The 99-01 heads had 3 threads per plug hole. At some point it was corrected. Chances are every 2v head has at least one insert in it.
 
Not to mention all the broken plugs trying to get them out.Thanks to Autolite/Motorcrafts 2 piece plug design.Overall,the Triton is a sad replacement(with those known expensive problems) for the 302/351W engines that still seem to run forever.Funny thing is,the 4.6 does not suffer these problems.So maybe everybody should have passed on the 5.4 and just bought the smaller brother instead.
 
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Not to mention all the broken plugs trying to get them out.Thanks to Autolite/Motorcrafts 2 piece plug design.Overall,the Triton is a sad replacement(with those known expensive problems) for the 302/351W engines that still seem to run forever.Funny thing is,the 4.6 does not suffer these problems.So maybe everybody should have passed on the 5.4 and just bought the smaller brother instead.


I found a YouTube vid about a ford tech using an impact to remove the 2piece plugs and having great success that way.
I changed mine just after driving,which got them loose pretty easily however I ended up with blow outs on each head so maybe that's not a good way to go about getting them out.
 
There are other problems with this engine as well. There is a tendency for the exhaust manifold bolts to rust and break. They are a total PITA to replace.
 
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
There are other problems with this engine as well. There is a tendency for the exhaust manifold bolts to rust and break. They are a total PITA to replace.


The Shove-or-lay is having problems with the small manifold bolts also. With the Ford's people usually do not torque the sparkplugs enough.
 
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Not to mention all the broken plugs trying to get them out.Thanks to Autolite/Motorcrafts 2 piece plug design.Overall,the Triton is a sad replacement(with those known expensive problems) for the 302/351W engines that still seem to run forever.Funny thing is,the 4.6 does not suffer these problems.So maybe everybody should have passed on the 5.4 and just bought the smaller brother instead.


The OP is talking about the 97-03 2 valve motors with the blowing out issues. The blowout issue occurs in both the 4.6 and 5.4L 2 valve motors. The plug breaking issues is in the 04-08 3 valve 5.4L.

Might want to know what these guys rates are. http://www.blownoutsparkplug.com/
We've done several plug changes on 2 valve motors and not had a blowout with the 28 torque spec.
 
I experienced both problems. I had a plug blow out on a 97' 5.4. The blow out happened about 3 months after the local dealer did a plug change. They sort of worked with me on it. They put me into an extended warranty at their cost and replaced the head and only charged me the deductible.

On the 2005 I had with the 5.4 I did a plug change myself. I purchased an extraction tool before I started the plug change. I followed the TSB ford has issued about the breakage. I still had one plug break and used the extraction tool to remove the piece that didn't come out.

You would think that a company that has been making engines as long as ford has would be able to get the spark plug right.
 
Originally Posted By: msmoke00
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Not to mention all the broken plugs trying to get them out.Thanks to Autolite/Motorcrafts 2 piece plug design.Overall,the Triton is a sad replacement(with those known expensive problems) for the 302/351W engines that still seem to run forever.Funny thing is,the 4.6 does not suffer these problems.So maybe everybody should have passed on the 5.4 and just bought the smaller brother instead.


The OP is talking about the 97-03 2 valve motors with the blowing out issues. The blowout issue occurs in both the 4.6 and 5.4L 2 valve motors. The plug breaking issues is in the 04-08 3 valve 5.4L.

Might want to know what these guys rates are. http://www.blownoutsparkplug.com/
We've done several plug changes on 2 valve motors and not had a blowout with the 28 torque spec.

Torque spec isn't the issue. The early 2v heads only have 3 threads holding in the plugs,any little mistake and the threads let go.
 
OTOH - I had 75,000 miles on the 2v 5.4 Triton in my 2000 Expedition...and it was one of the most reliable engines I've owned. I bought it new, it got sold in a divorce, but in that 6 years and 75,000 miles, all I ever did was change the oil and filters...and one serpentine belt...
 
Originally Posted By: Astro14
OTOH - I had 75,000 miles on the 2v 5.4 Triton in my 2000 Expedition...and it was one of the most reliable engines I've owned. I bought it new, it got sold in a divorce, but in that 6 years and 75,000 miles, all I ever did was change the oil and filters...and one serpentine belt...


Other than sparkplugs, they are reliable (a bit gutless) engines.
 
Ford has been pretty good at redesigning to resolve issues . GM on the other hand had known issues with the 3.1 , 3.4 engines(and some others) manifold gaskets letting go and a lot of peoeple were left paying for new engines when the AF got into the engine oil. That went on for several model years back in the late 80,s into the 90's
 
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i will never understand why a modern car/engine maker. will develop a cylinderhead in witch the sparkplugs only sits in 2 or 3 threads.

even less will i understand how they could let it slip through quality testing, and out to the consumers.
 
I guess I was lucky. The two 4.6L tritons I had with over 100k miles (97 E150, 99 F150) had no such problems while I had them. I sold them both after a period of time and they still ran great. Come to think of it, spark plugs were never touched while I owned them.
 
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
So, maybe the issue is not inevitable for everyone?


I never had any problems with my 2000 5.4 and it had about 100K on it when the original plugs were changed .
 
Originally Posted By: Cubey
I guess I was lucky. The two 4.6L tritons I had with over 100k miles (97 E150, 99 F150) had no such problems while I had them. I sold them both after a period of time and they still ran great. Come to think of it, spark plugs were never touched while I owned them.


The 97 had npi heads,so they had 8 threads,the 99 has pi heads which means 3 threads.
 
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