Ford Questions:

[HURRICANEBOB]

2003 E150 Van with a 5.4 liter. 106K miles.

1. Its due for spark plugs, seems to run okay, mileage says its time. Heard a lot about 5.4's blowing plugs out after swap out. What do ya think? Safe to have a dealer do them, or better to just keep running them till I have to take the plunge.

2. When I come to a stop, Then start to pull out, I get a thump from the driveline. Been there for 80k miles. Motor mounts and transmounts okay and dealer says u-joints and rear end are okay. Is that just a Ford thing, or do ya think I have a torque converter playing games.

Thanks in advance.

[Chubminnow]

1. Better safe than sorry....why go through a vehicle limping home just when you need it most? I'd say you've gotten plenty of miles out of your plugs so I'd change them if I were you, and I would change out the plug wires too since you've passed the 100K mark, (but this is just me). Sometimes I do more than is really needed when it comes to vehicle maintenance. Just my .02 worth.

2. I have no idea...

[riverrat12]

Bob I have a 1999 F-150 with the triten 5.4 I had the plugs changed out at about 130,000 ran fine then I just felt it was time.It seems I lost gas milage when I did....could be just me.I have 189,000 on it now with no problems. They say you need to make sure the engine is cold when you change the plugs for they will twist off if they are hot. I have it done because I personally can't find the dang things.LOL As far as the sound your hearing I have no clue.

[MrSplitshot]

2. When I come to a stop, Then start to pull out, I get a thump from the driveline. Been there for 80k miles. Motor mounts and transmounts okay and dealer says u-joints and rear end are okay. Is that just a Ford thing, or do ya think I have a torque converter playing games.

Thanks in advance.

I can tell you that I have a 2010 F150 with the 5.4L...and I love it...but it has the same thing. Otherwise, I pretty much love everything about it.

Considering that my 2006 F150 did it, and my 1999 Ranger did it, I've sensed a trend. LOL It has been one of the few gripes I have with the Ford product.

I've heard all kinds of things, like torque converter, improperly lubricated slip-yoke, etc. In the new ones, everybody is blaming it on the 6-speed automatic transmission that has "adaptive learning" to adjust itself to your driving habits. I had my dealer re-flash the TCM and it seemed a little better for a couple of days, but then it was back. Whatever, it's the same thing the old ones did. I've seen some do it really pronounced, some lightly. Either way, I've just learned to ignore it. That may not be the correct approach, but it is the one I have taken. I just sold my old '99 Ranger (4.0L Auto) and it had 159K miles on it, so it kept on ticking...and from a dead-stop, I always had flash-backs to my childhood when my Granny would smack me in the back of the head with her oven-mitt every time I didn't behave. It would hit pretty hard on the 1-2 shift.

[Embrey]

the plugs can blow out any time,not just after swapping. there arent many threads there on the plug. the key is to use antiseize and to torque them exactly by the book. most overtorque and then they will blow out at some point. and helicoiling them when they blow out is a *^&(*$#(&(*%)#*)($*#)&#)%*

[artcarney_agr]

1. Its due for spark plugs, seems to run okay, mileage says its time. Heard a lot about 5.4's blowing plugs out after swap out. What do ya think? Safe to have a dealer do them, or better to just keep running them till I have to take the plunge.

I think the issue with the plugs is that they tend to break when trying to take them out. You have to be real gentle when trying to break them loose, for they have a tendency to snap and then you're in deep chit. I've got an '06 F150 with the 5.4 that's due, and I'll just take it to a dealer so if they snap they can mess with getting it right.

http://autoforum.classifieds1000.com...Plug_Nightmare

[Embrey]

I think the issue with the plugs is that they tend to break when trying to take them out. You have to be real gentle when trying to break them loose, for they have a tendency to snap and then you're in deep chit. I've got an '06 F150 with the 5.4 that's due, and I'll just take it to a dealer so if they snap they can mess with getting it right.

http://autoforum.classifieds1000.com...Plug_Nightmare

crap...scratch what i said...lol,. i was thinking 4.6 when i read that for some reason.
YEAH, DONT TOUCH THEM...lol. those are a terrible design and break all the time. i would sell truck before they need changed,lol

[Catfish Bob]

Might as well go on and have your thermostat swapped out too before that goes bad. Cheap part.

[kydonky]

Be really careful what you replace with. I had a GMC 4.3 ltr and replaced the plugs and wires at 100k as per service schedule. Was running fine before the "tune up". After replacing the plugs, wires and distributor cap that thing would start missing when it rained sometimes so bad it would stall out.

Took over a month of trouble shooting. Replaced wires, plugs and cap a second time no help. Finnaly turned a hose on the motor to find the source of moisure leak. Misting the distributor cap and the miss started imediately. Took that cap from advanced auto off and had a look. That cap was made so cheaply, the contacts were small hollow tubes sealed with a drop of solder. Moisture was getting in the cap.

Replaced the cap with a AC Delco cap and no more problem.

Just saying don't but the cheap made in China off brand parts. Those cheap parts cost me a bundle in asparin alone.

The AC delco cap contacts were solid, not hollow, insulation on wires was 2xs thick. Those china parts are designed to last a month tops.

[Chubminnow]

Replaced the cap with a AC Delco cap and no more problem.

Just saying don't but the cheap made in China off brand parts. Those cheap parts cost me a bundle in asparin alone.

The AC delco cap contacts were solid, not hollow, insulation on wires was 2xs thick. Those china parts are designed to last a month tops.

Ditto that! I'm a firm believer in buying quality GM/AC Delco or Ford Motorcraft parts...that off brand stuff just don't cut it, sometimes it does but sometimes it don't.

[HURRICANEBOB]

Thanks to all for the great info and advice. I appreciate it.

[410th]

Bob

On the 5.4 ford motor. I have went thru this mess with a plug coming out. I don't think it has any thing to do when you change your plugs. Mine came out at around 75.000 miles. I took it to a ford dealer and they put a Helacoil in it. If someone including a Ford Garage, does this, that shop IS NOT FOLLOWING a TSB put out by Ford Motor Company. A Helacoil was put in mine by a ford garage and it did not stay in the head. It came out about 10 thousand mile's later. I ended up replacing the whole head. When the head came off I found out there is only about 4 or 5 threads holding a plug in. Oh yea new plugs cost me around 800.00 but this include 2 coils, there are 8 on a 5.4 and sometime or another you get to replace them all. If my truck , a 2002 supper crew cab , was not free and clear, I would get rid of it. I worry about this one thing every time I take it on a long trip.

here is more info on this matter:

http://www.locknstitch.com/FT%20pdf%...20Bulletin.pdf

http://www.locknstitch.com/sparkpluginserts.htm

http://www.f150online.com/forums/v8-...t-problem.html

Hope this help's you in someway. Oh yea hows the fishing?

Billy