I mean the threads. They are aluminum heads, right? Have they been changed before?

 

Did you use an impact? Seems to me like that would just increase the chances of galling the threads.

 

No the ones that are spinning were just by hand.

God I hope that didn't happen, that would be just my luck.

 

if you even started by hand trying to remove them that is your problem. it should be 100% impact the whole time.

if you just turned it by hand then you would bind up the carbon on the spark plug to the head and basically strip/snap it off. By using an impact the jolt and speed doesnt give the carbon enough of a chance to build up and stick.

if the head is stripped you will have to helicoil the spark plug holes to get threads back to allow you to thread new plugs in.

 

trent, this is exactly why I own a ranger once again. Every single one of mine did that, so i said **** it and traded the truck in. Paid 14k for it and got 12.5 on trade in. i put 20k on it so i didnt really loose on the deal imo. expecally since it was missing when i traded it in lol

 

Ughhhhhhhhhh. I didn't have a choice on the one all the way in the back, my POS impact didn't have enough power to pull it out so I was forced to use the 1/2" on all the other ones.

I'm done messing with it, this is the last time I try to do something to one of my vehicles. I find someway to **** it up everytime

 

Best of luck on getting this straightened out man! I'm in a similar situation with my SD.

"I find someway to **** it up everytime", x∞ on this. I work on heavy duty and light duty equipment daily, the only time things go bad is when I lay a finger on something I own and pay for.

 

Those helicoil kits work great. If the head is stripped you can still easily get the plug out. You just need to put pressure on the plug.

Why is it such a pain to change the plugs on an F-150? There must be a ton of carbon buildup on the plugs. There are also ways to remove the carbon before you remove the plugs.

 

Its because of the 2 piece plug design and the head design just don't work well together, the carbon builds up a lot.

I should have soaked the plugs and just followed the TSB. I figured I'd try it Zachs way since that sounded a little easier and worked for him.

I don't know why the impact worked for 3 of them and then stripped out the last one. This is so ridiculous you can't even easily remove spark plugs from a motor, way to go ford.

Will the dealership repair the head with a helicoil or will they want to replace the entire head? This is a nightmare

 

damn dude that sucks...hope you get it all worked out

 

There is no reason why they can't, but dealerships rarely do what's easiest and least expensive. I'd just ask them the what if's before you let them work on it.

 

Gotcha, I just didn't know if that was even an option. Its my cousins friend that works down there so hopefully he'll be reasonable.

 

Alright thanks to Korey I'm starting to think this is could be what happened and its not actually stripped.



This would make sense why its not coming out with the socket, the nut is just spinning around the porcelain.

 

We rarely do what's least expensive and easiest because we (at least I) feel that if you want your car to last a long time you fix it correctly. The reason I do not put a heli coil for spark plugs is two reasons A) if you ever go to replace your plugs again you have to get two different types of plugs and B) (the main reason) if you have two different types of metal touching in high heat areas it corrodes faster and is more susceptible to rust or other issues.

Not to mention if your going to a dealership you'll get a warranty on the repair god forbid something goes wrong with the repair

 

That sucks Trent, that's why I haven't done mine. I work 35 miles away (and opposite direction of the wife) and don't have a spare vehicle. I'm going to have to pay to have someone do it as well. Problem is, I haven't found anyone competent with anything they do around here so I'm holding out still. lol

 

Exactly my point. Trent, hopefully your cousins’ friend will help you out.

If the sleeve is stripped a helicoil will work though. Of course it's not the best option, but it will work and get the job done. Not everyone can afford to spend a fortune to fix something the best way. Not to mention, even if you don't use a helicoil, there are still better options than replacing the head. And, I would never take it to a dealer because they will charge a fortune. This is all assuming you have the patience and tools to do it yourself. Dealership service departments are in existence for a reason and plenty use them, but you don't have to.

Too bad you guys don't live closer. I know someone who could get them out and the job done right.

 

yep...the dealer where i work prey on old ladies and women in general because they usually dont know what theyre talking about and they will believe anything...sad but its true

 

Totally agree. Unfortunately my local mechanic is a Chevy guy and has chosen not to work on any of the 3 valve 5.4s.

 

I wouldnt really blame it on ford, but i understand your frustration. it is a pain to change the plugs on that. I should have just sent you my impact, that way you know they would have got out. Sorry to hear the troubles Trent.

 

Thanks sucks, my 3/8's put out like 150ft/lbs I believe, it struggled on a few of them, but I just kept on them, I have a good compressor at the farm that can deliver 15.8 CFM @ 90 PSI. Ive done 4 F150's without breaking any...

 

Yeah my 3/8 is only rated to 75 ft/lb and my compressor is only 5 gallons lol. The 1/2 struggled to pull them out haha

I'm going to give it a few days and read up some more and then tackle it again before sending it off to the dealership.

 

Wow that sucks man......and I was really starting to like the f-150's lol

 

Its not really a huge deal, I would just let someone that knows what they were doing do it if I did it again.