Auto repair shop recommendation for blown out spark plug?

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DannyMotorcycle

Active Member
Anyone have the infamous ford blown out spark plug? My 03 F250 blew out the #8 plug. A new plug won't grab.

Seems to be a common problem so i'm wondering if anyone here has had the problem and can tell me what it cost them to get fixed and where they took it?

To make matters worse it has 410k on it and a trans check code 1744 that i haven't investigated yet.. So i'm hoping it won't be an expensive repair so the truck can stay on the road, where the cost of the repair won't be too high compared to the value of the vehicle..

Then again i hear there is an autozone self taping repair kit fix.. that might be the way to go.. anyone had luck with that?
 
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SandieGarry

Well-Known Member
I've used Helicoil thread repair kits before. They work great. I've heard that they can be used on spark plugs, I have not done that myself so I can't guarantee it's success.
 
Sneakers

Sneakers

Just sneakin' around....
The heli-coil repair kits work really well, I've used them before on small motors. The potential problem is when you pilot the new hole for the new thread, metal shavings can fall into the cylinder. Gotta make sure it's clean before turning the engine over.
 
F

FTD

New Member
Auto zone sells a repair kit that includes a self-tapping "sleeve" and an extended plug for around $60.00. I used one last year on the recommendation of a co-worker and it worked great. Pretty straight forward. Good Luck!
 
Gilligan

Gilligan

#*! boat!
PREMO Member
The plug thread repair kit for the Ford 4.6 and 5.4 engines is a popular item..LOL. Biggest problem you face is one of access...getting that hole tapped and the insert in nice and straight can be a real PITA and #4 and #8 tend to be the worst.

The heads are aluminum...I've never had any issues with the aluminum shavings caused by cutting the threads going in to the cylinder. They get blown on through when the engine is started. Some grease on the tap helps capture some of those shavings/chips too.
 
TPD

TPD

the poor dad
I've used the kit with no problem. You are lucky to get 410k miles before this happened. I only got about 80k before the first one blew. About another 20k to the next one. Sold the truck 20k miles later with the kit in the glove box and a warning to the new owner.
 
Grumpy

Grumpy

Well-Known Member
Ton of vids on youtube on fixing this problem. I had a vehicle with the 4.6, the business end of the spark plugs seized and broke on 2 cylinders when I went to change the plugs. Had to buy a special tool to remove them (Lisle?), Pain in the butt but the tool worked as advertised. Funny, I went to autozone when it happened and the guy there said the head had to be pulled and blah blah blah, and thats the reason no mechanic will do tune-ups on Ford 4.6 or 5.4 engines. Glad I didn't listen to this guy.
 
PeoplesElbow

PeoplesElbow

Well-Known Member
Grumpy said:
Ton of vids on youtube on fixing this problem. I had a vehicle with the 4.6, the business end of the spark plugs seized and broke on 2 cylinders when I went to change the plugs. Had to buy a special tool to remove them (Lisle?), Pain in the butt but the tool worked as advertised. Funny, I went to autozone when it happened and the guy there said the head had to be pulled and blah blah blah, and thats the reason no mechanic will do tune-ups on Ford 4.6 or 5.4 engines. Glad I didn't listen to this guy.
Click to expand...
An engine expert making slightly above minimum wage, why wouldn't you listen to him?
 
black dog

black dog

Free America
Gilligan said:
The plug thread repair kit for the Ford 4.6 and 5.4 engines is a popular item..LOL. Biggest problem you face is one of access...getting that hole tapped and the insert in nice and straight can be a real PITA and #4 and #8 tend to be the worst.

The heads are aluminum...I've never had any issues with the aluminum shavings caused by cutting the threads going in to the cylinder. They get blown on through when the engine is started. Some grease on the tap helps capture some of those shavings/chips too.
Click to expand...

I'm so glad I dont own any of those engines, just the thought of pulling a plug and a few chunks of porcelain is missing..... Ughhhhhh
When I worked for Denison they have 40-50 PU's with 5.4's. I would walk through Han's shop and cringe...

I would rather pull the injectors twice on my 7.3 lol

I put plugs in my sons 3.0 Ranger and the first one squeaked all the way out. Next 5 were broken loose and hit with the orange can.
New ones got coated in nickel anti...
 
Kyle

Kyle

Beloved Misanthrope
PREMO Member
Guess I’ll count my blessings. I had a 5.4L in one truck with 140,000 miles on it and the current 4.6 L as 192K. Never had a problem with either.
 
black dog

black dog

Free America
Gilligan said:
Not sure exactly..but office staff I believe. Very pleasing to the eyes kind of person...
Click to expand...

My building/office was at The Bull Run farm near Brandywine along with the grounds maintenance pole barn and John's personal car barns.
I would assume who you know works at one of the offices or nursey over in Oxen Hill.
John was an interesting man, he would always show up when he heard I was shooting on one of his farms. Kill the deer, but not the elk or zebra... Whatever he drove he carried a Glock in every glovebox.
I found it queer his brother Duane is CEO and not one of his kids or his ex.
Interesting family dynamics for sure....

When you see her please ask her to tell Josh Denison I said hello.
 
black dog

black dog

Free America
Kyle said:
Guess I’ll count my blessings. I had a 5.4L in one truck with 140,000 miles on it and the current 4.6 L as 192K. Never had a problem with either.
Click to expand...

158899
 
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