[ChiefB]

Have just purchased a 2004 F150 and heard that the spark plugs can weld themselves in and was wondering if it is true.

 

[GT]

What? Not unless something really bad happens! Like a total nuclear meltdown in the cylinder!

Sometimes spark plugs can get stuck, but put some penetrating lubricant on the threads and they should loosen up.

 

[JimT]

It is true that the plugs can be a pain to remove. you can't be in a hurry to change them, I would spray PB Blaster into the recess for the plugs and let it soak for a while b4 attempting to break them loose and then after breaking them loose, I would spray some more BLaster into the hole and let it soak down into the threads. This helped me remove my plugs with hardly any problem at all.

 

[FarFromStock]

Also remember that the engine should be cool/cold when you attempt to remove them.

 

[jtcowboy]

I just changed out my spark plugs on my 2005 5.4L Triton and I found out that it is COMMON for the spark plugs in the Triton engines to have the bottom half of the spark plug to brake off while removing the spark plug. I had no problems with the threads but I had one spark plug brake off in the engine below the threads. I found out you can buy a tool from Napa that is specifically for broken off spark plugs in Ford F150 Triton 3 valve engines. I called Napa last night, picked up the tool this morning for $109 and had the broken spark plug out in a half hour. Swwwoooo! I thought I was going to have to remove the heads. I am glad it worked.

 

[Myth150s]

yea matco has a tool also on sale right now....

the spark plugs on the 3v r nightmares...
i buddy i work with has a 05 FX4 n just did all 8 plugs n coils.. everyone broke off..
it was done by ford also... then he foud out that his cat was actually broken (left bottom cat)
and plazys a big part in the spark plugs life.

he put in 2 aftermarket cats. single. so he went from 4 too 2 cats. the are hi flow. and with his stock exhaust it actuallys sounds deeper. more ballsz

 

[Takeda]

Yes, the way the spark plugs are designed for 2004 - 2008 5.4L engines, the
long ground shield (see photos below) will seize into the head. Ford has replaced the original SP-507 part number with the SP-515 to help with the
breakage problem. When the plugs are replaced, a high temp nickel anti-seize
compound is recommended on the ground shield:


1

2

3

4

5

 

[mrfix]

bad idea by ford

unfortunately yes, and you will need to buy a special tool to get them out.

 

[mrfix]

video

There is a good video on youtube that show's you how to use the tool.

 

[houpster]

Are the new Motorcraft SP-515 sparkplugs a one piece plug, like the campion plug that can be bought

 

[Takeda]

Are the new Motorcraft SP-515 sparkplugs a one piece plug, like the campion plug that can be bought

No, the SP-515 are 2-piece, but they aren't supposed to break as easy.

 

[ANDY J]

the reason that the plugs are hard to get out sometimes is because the bottom threads are exposed in the cylinder and carbon deposits will build around the threads causing the threads to pull from the head during removal. you can use "seafoam" through the intake system and it will break loose the carbon deposits making the plug removal easier.

 

[Takeda]

the reason that the plugs are hard to get out sometimes is because the bottom threads are exposed in the cylinder and carbon deposits will build around the threads causing the threads to pull from the head during removal. you can use "seafoam" through the intake system and it will break loose the carbon deposits making the plug removal easier.

Not true. Look at the photos in post #7. The threads are not exposed in the cylinder, the GND shield is exposed to the cylinder, and carbon builds up on it.