Ford 3V Spark Plug Tool
03-15-2012, 11:52 AM
#1
Ford 3V Spark Plug Tool Does anyone near Cypress have one of the spark plug removal tools I could borrow ?? A neighbor of mine has a broken spark plug in his 5.4L 3V motor (common issue) and is having a hard time locating the tool locally.
Thanks,
Ernie
Thanks,
Ernie
03-15-2012, 01:04 PM
#2
Sorry no tool here, but my father in-law has that same motor in his King Ranch F150 and after doing some research (when he asked me to help him change the plugs) I told him to take it to a mechanic and have them do it. Horrible design and very common to break off multiple plugs when changing. The mechanic broke 4 off and still only charged him $150 to change the plugs when it took maybe 8 hours in labor - LOL.
03-15-2012, 02:28 PM
#3
12 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, Tx.
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the tool but i'm not real close to you unfortunately. I ordered the tool but got lucky and never had to use it. Mine all came out in one piece after 90,000 miles.
03-15-2012, 04:21 PM
#5
03-15-2012, 05:39 PM
#6
12 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, Tx.
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But i agree....no matter how much preparation and planning I did......it all came down to a little bit of luck. I was nervous the entire freaking time. But I had a mini celebration after that last one came out in one piece!
03-15-2012, 05:44 PM
#7
Launching!
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Abbeville
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did a great deal of research, research and more research before I dug in. Too many horror stories! But i agree....no matter how much preparation and planning I did......it all came down to a little bit of luck. I was nervous the entire freaking time. But I had a mini celebration after that last one came out in one piece!
But i agree....no matter how much preparation and planning I did......it all came down to a little bit of luck. I was nervous the entire freaking time. But I had a mini celebration after that last one came out in one piece!I have gone back and forth on doing this myself, and would like to know what you did.
The dealer wants 385$ for just a plug change whether plugs break or not!
Trending Topics
03-15-2012, 06:23 PM
#9
12 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, Tx.
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From what I read before hand is as long as they are making noise while coming out you are doing good. If you get one that all of a sudden goes quiet.....start looking for the extrication tool.
Luckily all of mine made some sort of noise.Make sure you buy the nickel anti-seize ( i believe that is what type). And apply it to the new plugs on the "shank" also to prevent it from happening again. Sadly I sold my truck within 5,000 miles of doing the plug swap. So whoever bought my truck had the hard part done for them.
03-15-2012, 06:25 PM
#11
pic of tool and examples of broken plugs here.
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-LIS65600.../dp/B00267PZUK
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-LIS65600.../dp/B00267PZUK
03-15-2012, 06:50 PM
#12
Launching!
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Abbeville
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I let the truck get up to operating temp. Then shut it off, pull the coil packs, and then crack each plug maybe a 1/4 turn. Try to work somewhat quick. Use some sort of penetrating oil ( I used PB blaster, but if you search everyone has a different "fail safe, must use product"). Spray/drop a little of that into each spark plug "hole". Let it sit for several hours. Come back out and put another little dose of penetrating oil in each hole and start backing them out. What breaks the plug is the build-up of hydrocarbons on the side "shanks" that wont fit through the hole while you try backing it out. So with it being warm and the double dose of penetrating oil you at least soften those hydrocarbons. I was able to clearly see the problem when i removed them.
From what I read before hand is as long as they are making noise while coming out you are doing good. If you get one that all of a sudden goes quiet.....start looking for the extrication tool. Luckily all of mine made some sort of noise.
Make sure you buy the nickel anti-seize ( i believe that is what type). And apply it to the new plugs on the "shank" also to prevent it from happening again. Sadly I sold my truck within 5,000 miles of doing the plug swap. So whoever bought my truck had the hard part done for them.
From what I read before hand is as long as they are making noise while coming out you are doing good. If you get one that all of a sudden goes quiet.....start looking for the extrication tool.
Luckily all of mine made some sort of noise.Make sure you buy the nickel anti-seize ( i believe that is what type). And apply it to the new plugs on the "shank" also to prevent it from happening again. Sadly I sold my truck within 5,000 miles of doing the plug swap. So whoever bought my truck had the hard part done for them.
03-15-2012, 08:01 PM
#14
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (39)
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Denton, TX
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Exactly the reason why I kept pushing forward doing the plugs on my wife's 04 Expedition when she still had it. Didn't want to take any chances.
Sold it at just over 130K miles with the original plugs still on.
Sold it at just over 130K miles with the original plugs still on.
