Ford Blown Out Spark Plug

[anhaney]

I think I have platinum plugs in mine.

Just a note. No plug is really good for 100K. They do go that far but put a scope on a coil and plug that have over 60k and watch the KV's and Raster patterns. You will see that it takes 50Kv's + to fire the plug. That becomes death to the coils. Which are designed to work best at 25KV's.

Now if you notice a lot of manufactures are switching to Iridium plugs. They fire at 15-17KV's. So what is happening in a lot of shops that I get called out to because they changed plugs and the cars will not start and they can not figure out why.

They take out the OE spark plug iridium and put in a platinum or less because of price point. The newer coil designs can not generate enough KV's to fire the plug.

The manufactures have gone to this type of plug for two reasons. They last longer. They take less energy to fire them. So the moral of the story if you have standard plugs, or single or double platinum plugs and you want to upgrade the ignition and get better performance and longer plug life switch it to Iridium plugs. I did on my boat, BMW, Truck, and the Toy Yaris is already using them.

[whitlock87]

What changed in 2004?
(The problem went from 190 -2003, that’s a long time)

[Domsz06]

happened to one of our work trucks.

[spooner]

Anhaney, are you refering to the inside porcelain coming out of the spark plug
?


If so what miles does it happen after and what type of duty does the engine see. I only ask because I have been a Ford drive tech for ten years and have seen many blowen threads(not so much any more) but have never had a plug blow apart, now 3.0l rangers are a different story

Most problems were 98-03 on superdutys(must be harder use?) 5.4s changed in 04 to 3 valve, a completely different spark plug(very unique).

[anhaney]

Anhaney, are you refering to the inside porcelain coming out of the spark plug
?


If so what miles does it happen after and what type of duty does the engine see. I only ask because I have been a Ford drive tech for ten years and have seen many blowen threads(not so much any more) but have never had a plug blow apart, now 3.0l rangers are a different story

Most problems were 98-03 on superdutys(must be harder use?) 5.4s changed in 04 to 3 valve, a completely different spark plug(very unique).

I am refering to the porcelain coming out to the shell. Then when you try to put a socket over the shell to take it out it colapses and gets stuck in the cyl. head. You have to get an easy out type tool to remove it from Rotunda. However since SPX/OCT builds Rotunda tools and holds the patents on the tools and sells them to Ford/Rotunda you can also get it under the SPX product offerings if you call in for it. It just has to be purchased through the OE division it is not available through the OTC aftermarket divison.

[dogbert]

anhaney,

One last question about the plugs. So, if I have platinum now, is it safe to switch to iridium?

Also, there is a TSB on '04 f-150s about spark plug removal that talks about exactly what anhaney said (they collapse into the cylinder head). It's TSB 06-5-9.

[spooner]

Dogbert ,04 3 valves are a completely different animal with a abnormal sparkplug

[dogbert]

Now I feel better

[anhaney]

anhaney,

One last question about the plugs. So, if I have platinum now, is it safe to switch to iridium?

Also, there is a TSB on '04 f-150s about spark plug removal that talks about exactly what anhaney said (they collapse into the cylinder head). It's TSB 06-5-9.

Dogbert, yes you can put iridiums into a vehicle that currently uses platinum. It will only benefit the ignitions system as the KV's the coils need to generate to fire that plug will be much less. In addition to that iridium handles the higher KV's better than platinum. Champion does build a spark plug that is much better than the Motorcraft plug and they may even make it in iridium. Give me the motorcraft number and I will send of to champion and see if they do. I will not be able to mess with it until tomorrow I am getting on a plane to Hawaii right now and won't be there until late tonight.

Also you do have to worry about the plug issue on your truck. I live in a area where there is 30+million in population and I see this all the time. Not to mention I work for the company that builds the tools to save the head when it happens.

[dogbert]

Thx! Have fun in Hawaii!

[anhaney]

Thx! Have fun in Hawaii!

I need your golf cart while I am there. Na never mind I will rent one.

[dogbert]

Which one, the '57 Harley or the '07 EZ-Go with the lift kit?

[whitlock87]

Anhaney, are you refering to the inside porcelain coming out of the spark plug
?



Most problems were 98-03 on superdutys(must be harder use?) 5.4s changed in 04 to 3 valve, a completely different spark plug(very unique).

I have an 2004 Expedition with 5.4
I thought the 3 valve came out in 2005?
I know that the 2005 5.4 has more power then my 2004 does.
like 20 hp

[spooner]

I have an 2004 Expedition with 5.4
I thought the 3 valve came out in 2005?
I know that the 2005 5.4 has more power then my 2004 does.
like 20 hp

It may have been 05 for the expeditions I will check after dinner. I was thinking trucks F-150 to be specific. Sorry for the mis information.

[whitlock87]

so does that meen i might have this issue with my 04