Ford Triton V-8 plug class action suit

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sasilverbullet

sasilverbullet

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Over on a Reddit forum there's a thread about the problems with removing plugs from the Ford Triton V-8 and it mentions a class action suit where you can get reimbursed for some of the money from plug changes.

Worth the read, also good info on how to get the plugs out without breaking them...

Hm, seems Bob doesn't like a real bad word in a url...

Go to reddit.com/r/Justrolledintotheshop and look for a thread about the plugs...
 
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The 5.4L spark plug design might have been the WORST design in history. What was the engineering team thinking when they did that?
 
I have one I want to change the plugs on, and need to change the plugs on - but the risk / reward analysis always ends up with leave it the heck alone.
 
Originally Posted By: Win
I have one I want to change the plugs on, and need to change the plugs on - but the risk / reward analysis always ends up with leave it the heck alone.



According to what I've read in that thread the longer you leave it the worse it will be. The thread recommends every 30K miles removing and reinstalling them, and replacing them with the Champion one-piece, not the Autolite two piece.
 
I don't doubt that at all. I'd rather just deal with a bunch of bad threads later, rather than sooner.
 
This problem is overrated a little we see this problem from time to time on mostly the 5.4 but its not an everyday thing and there are millions of those engines on the road today in trucks and suv's running day and night problem free.
There are a couple of things out these days for them.
 
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
This problem is overrated a little we see this problem from time to time on mostly the 5.4 but its not an everyday thing and there are millions of those engines on the road today in trucks and suv's running day and night problem free.
There are a couple of things out these days for them.


I'm with him! Not scientific proof but it seems many that have been solid with oil changes with the right filter (some filters don't do well with the 5.4 3V) didn't have issues. I prepared for the worse and picked up the listle tool when I did my 04. None broke. Biggest headache was the passenger rear plug (computer in the way).

Nonetheless I got a notice in the mail. A % of my bill is coming back to me from the class action.
 
It does seem like these engines have more expensive/hard to fix problems than they should. Just off the top of my head I can think of cam phasers going bad, spitting plugs, hard to remove plugs and exhaust manifold studs. I can't think of a another single engine with this many inherent issues. GM has a much better design with the LS.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

My workplace truck was done over a year ago. All 8 plugs broke. The bill was about $450. Plugged into the class action formula nets us a return of $30......($450 - $300) x 20%.

http://www.fordsparkplugsettlement.com/PDF/SPARK PLUG Long Form Class Notice.pdf



Sweet! You owe me a cup of coffee...
smile.gif
 
A few years back autolite had an online course you could take where they had an engineer explain why the problem existed, and a 99.999 effective way to pull plugs. The problem is that it takes time... like overnight so techs are hesitant to do it and owners flip out over not having their truck back in the 1.7 hrs Mitchell quotes
 
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
It does seem like these engines have more expensive/hard to fix problems than they should. Just off the top of my head I can think of cam phasers going bad, spitting plugs, hard to remove plugs and exhaust manifold studs. I can't think of a another single engine with this many inherent issues. GM has a much better design with the LS.


You are combining problems from two different versions of the engine.

1. The plug spitting/stud breaking non-VCT 2V 4.6/5.4L/6.8L
2. The plug seizing/noisy VCT solenoid 3V primarily 5.4L engines

Not really any different in terms of problems than the LIM eating and fire catching 3.8 series GM V6. The LS engines have had oil pump issues and piston slap.
 
How is this even possible in this day? Seriously, changing plugs costs 450???? And they have the gall to give you $30 of it back....lol too funny.
 
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
GM has a much better design with the LS.


Google "AFM lifter failure." Pretty comparable aggravation level for affected owners.

You can find common problems on any mass produced engine. The good thing is there are usually common solutions.
 
Originally Posted By: stchman
The 5.4L spark plug design might have been the WORST design in history. What was the engineering team thinking when they did that?


don't they test cars anymore before production?
 
I changed the plugs out on my 2007 Mustang GT as soon as I heard about this spark plug issue. I used some liquid wrench(small amount) while removing them and it was scary getting them out. Loosen a little bit then screw them back in a little bit, squealing all the way. Managed not to break any, and replaced them with Champion 7989 plugs. The 4.6 liter 3 valve is an excellent engine, just make sure you put one piece style plugs in them to eliminate the breaking off issue.
 
Originally Posted By: ZX11Rebel
I changed the plugs out on my 2007 Mustang GT as soon as I heard about this spark plug issue. I used some liquid wrench(small amount) while removing them and it was scary getting them out. Loosen a little bit then screw them back in a little bit, squealing all the way. Managed not to break any, and replaced them with Champion 7989 plugs. The 4.6 liter 3 valve is an excellent engine, just make sure you put one piece style plugs in them to eliminate the breaking off issue.


My fiancee owns a 2007 Mustang GT with only about 18,000 miles on it. I was thinking of trying to take the original plugs out before they become a problem but I have heard different things on how well the car runs with the one piece Champions.

I've always have found that a vehicle runs best with the original recommended plug so I'm leery of trying a brand that is not original.

How does your car run with the champions?

Wayne
 
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