2004 with 4.6 SOHC spark plug

[sgtdon]

Anybody have any problems with a spark plug blowing out of the head?? My friend just had it happen. He has 110,500 miles on it and the spark plug blew out. Any ideas or easy fixes??? Don

 

[japracer4]

i have seen this happen quite often on f150's with the 4.6 at my shop. luckily there is a machine shop up the street that has always been able to helicoil the head and put a new plug in. and never has to take the head off. good luck

 

[zerodevil]

bet he drives it like he stole it. Yes this is quite common, especialy if you wernt using ford motorcraft spark plugs. My 03 blew 3 spark plugs before i just replaced the engine.

 

[2002GreyHD150]

very common on all V-8 Modular engines from Ford up to 2003 when they revised the heads. any '04 should have the revised threads, unless it is a very early production date '04. I've heard about this more with the 5.4 than the 4.6.

Only true fix is a head swap to the revised heads. I have heard of people repairing with a helicoil & then blowing the helicoils out. Especially if you are supercharged.

The usual problem on a totally stock vehicle is that when spark plugs are replaced they are not installed EXACTLY as the Factory Service manual states (clean the threads, use anti-seize, proper torque specs, etc)

 

[RickM]

The usual problem on a totally stock vehicle is that when spark plugs are replaced they are not installed EXACTLY as the Factory Service manual states (clean the threads, use anti-seize, proper torque specs, etc)

Does the service manual honestly recommend anti seize? That seems to go against recent/conventional advice.

 

[sgtdon]

Thank you all

Thank you all for your posts! gave me some good info to pass on. My friend does have a one of the first with 2004. He did have his mechanic try a coil but gas escaped and had to take it to machine shop.

THANK YOU ALL FOR GREAT REPLY'S, I APPRECIATE IT.

DON

 

[zerodevil]

the 04 explorers would more than likely have engines manufactured in 03, my 2003 had a 2002 engine in it. I bought a 2005 2v from a junk yard with all of 3500 miles on it for less than 1100 bucks... simple and effective fix.

 

[sgtdon]

thank you again

well that is a different approach to the problem. I will let my friend know abut that. If you can get an engine that cheap, it would be worth it in the long run!

thank you again,

don

 

[zerodevil]

it was deffinately an extream fix, but to be honest i would have SAVED money by replacing hte engine after the first plug. I ended up shooting three more before i gave in and just bought a new engine and took a week after work to put it in.