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2002 F150 with 5.4 Triton

MJBaldwin
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MJBaldwin Proficient

MJBaldwin

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Well I have heard many different opinions about this topic from people. I am wondering how hard it is to change out the spark plugs I have heard that most of them are not bad but there are one or two that are just a pain to get to. How hard are they actually to replace? I would like to save a little money and do them myself since most places want between 300-450 to do them! I am just not sure if I am going to be capable of doing it by myself. Anyone have any suggestions or have done this before. The truck has about 135k on it and I bought it with approx 40K and I am sure they didn’t do them then so I think it’s about time to get it done. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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BobT Grand Master

BobT

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Did Ford fix the problem with the heads before the 2002 model year? If not, you might want to look into the issue of plugs stripping out of the heads. With 135K miles, I'm thinking you're okay but just a head's up.

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MJBaldwin Proficient

MJBaldwin

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Did Ford fix the problem with the heads before the 2002 model year? If not, you might want to look into the issue of plugs stripping out of the heads. With 135K miles, I'm thinking you're okay but just a head's up.

BobT,

I have heard about this problem before I am not sure with this was an issue with the 02's. But with that being said that is why I was thinking it might be a good idea to take it in. But if not then I just blew roughly 350 bucks where I could have spent that some where else.

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Scott K Grand Master

Scott K

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You can do the job your self, and not worry about stripping out the threads. Just have patience, and give yourself plenty of time. Or do half one day, half the next time you have free time.

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Farley Veteran

Farley

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I thought that particular issue was on the 04's and later but thats not based on any kind of fact whatsoever, just what I think I heard. i have an 03 bought with 35k and now am on 125k, so I have wondered the same thing. I know my buddy who has a 99 (same body style) tried to do his and there were 2 he couldnt get to himself so he brought it to a mechanic, and my buddy is pretty mechanically inclined, I think he just got frustrated though.

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MJBaldwin Proficient

MJBaldwin

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I thought that particular issue was on the 04's and later but thats not based on any kind of fact whatsoever, just what I think I heard. i have an 03 bought with 35k and now am on 125k, so I have wondered the same thing. I know my buddy who has a 99 (same body style) tried to do his and there were 2 he couldnt get to himself so he brought it to a mechanic, and my buddy is pretty mechanically inclined, I think he just got frustrated though.

Thats what I have heard doesnt matter how mechanically inclined you are those back two by the firewall are a pain in the rear. I just dont get why they would design something so horrible but I guess if you only had to pay for two spark plugs being installed is better than all 8 of them. Still pondering it though. Does anyone know when they are technically supposed to be done? I think 135k is getting up there I had some fuel injector problem and and the mechanic wanted to do the plugs then for a smoother idel but he wanted 500 (I was out of town and just wanted to be able to drive my truck back home)

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Scott K Grand Master

Scott K

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04 and newer had problems with the plugs breaking off, because they were seized into the head. 97-03 style had issues with not enough threads in the heads, and spark plugs. The 02+ had different heads, with more threads, and the updated spark plugs had more threads to secure the plug in the hole better.

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Scott K Grand Master

Scott K

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The special socket for the 5.4 is for the 04+ with the 3 valve engines. The rear 3 are a little bit of a pain if you dont have the correct tools, but can still be done with out the special tools. AKA, swivels, and extensions.

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Jeremy airjer W Grand Master

Jeremy airjer W

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You will need a specif swivel socket to get at a couple on the drivers side. Snap on and Mac 1/4 inch metric swivels will work the best. Cornwell and craftsmen are to tall to fit in between the fuel rail and the coil hold down bolt. Other than that they are just time consuming.

I always use a torque wrench when I do plugs on that engine. That way I know I did everything I could to do the job correctly and if there is a problem in the future I can still sleep at night. grin

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BobT Grand Master

BobT

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04 and newer had problems with the plugs breaking off, because they were seized into the head. 97-03 style had issues with not enough threads in the heads, and spark plugs. The 02+ had different heads, with more threads, and the updated spark plugs had more threads to secure the plug in the hole better.

This is confusing. So there was a problem from 1997 through 2001. Then in 2002 they fixed the problem by designing heads with more thread. Then in 2003 they took a step backwards again?

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brian6715 Experienced

brian6715

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This is confusing. So there was a problem from 1997 through 2001. Then in 2002 they fixed the problem by designing heads with more thread. Then in 2003 they took a step backwards again?

Fords..... enough said smile

Just playing, I couldn't resist

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Scott K Grand Master

Scott K

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02-03 same engine. 04+ different engine, different problems.

Ford tried to reinvent the wheel (spark plug) in the 04 3 valve engine, and it didnt work out in their favor. Mostly an issue with the spark plug manufacturer, but there wasnt a need to make a different spark plug if you ask me.

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Jeremy airjer W Grand Master

Jeremy airjer W

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I would also replace the coil boots, put some dielectric grease inside each boot and anti sieze on the plug threads. This way you won't have to do the job again for a misfire due to a bad boot.

If the threads on the new plugs are silver than the plugs are knickle plated and do not require any anti-sieze!

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MJBaldwin Proficient

MJBaldwin

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Good information guys. I have had to replace a few of the boots but instead of spending 400 bucks on boots I just have been replacing them as the start to misfire very easy to tell once it happens and what the problem is. But just more concerned about the plugs and if they are going to be too hard to do.

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