c. e. white

This is BS. There is no recall, there is a TSB. If the plugs are
installed properly and torqued properly, there is no need to check
them every 5K miles. Ford did not use wrong torque spec - mechanics
replacing the plugs do. The proper torque spec is 11 ft.lbs. (14 Nm)
(or 9.5 to 20 Nm / 7 to 15 foot-pounds). As for whether or not it is
the wrong plug design, I guess it is if mechanics can't put them in
properly. I am confident than when the plugs are properly installed,
there won't be a problem. Unfortuntely, it appears it take a real
mechanic (skilled and careful) to do it correctly. Given the general
level of mechanics working these days, that means you are likely to
have a problem. This means it is a bad design. I owned two Expeditons
with the supposedly "bad" plugs, and in my family we had three other
vehicles with the supposedly bad design plugs. We never had a problem.
I had the plugs in my 1997 Expedition changed at 100,000 miles (they
actually looked good) and 50,000 miles later things were still fine. I
had the plugs in my 2003 (with supposedly different plugs - but they
looked the same) changed at 100,000 miles without incident. Mechanics
who don't torque the plugs properly can cause all sorts of problem. If
you don't torque them enough, they will loosen over time and destroy
the threads. If you use too high a torque, you destroy the threads
right away. I have seen it claimed that some engines came from Ford
with the plugs improperly torqued. I can't confirm this. I talked to
my local mechanics (not a Ford mechanic) and he's never seen one with
the problem unless someone had changed the plugs.

Ford just released a TSB that authorizes the use of a particualr type
of insert for non-warranty repairs (for warranty repairs, Ford says to
replace the head). Here is the TSB:

TSB 07-21-2

4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V - SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE -
NOT
COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY

Publication Date: October 17, 2007

FORD:1997 Thunderbird
1997-2004 Mustang
1997-2008 Crown Victoria
1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty
1997-2004 Expedition
1997-2008 E-Series, F-150
1998-2004 F-53 Motorhome Chassis, F-Super Duty
2001-2005 Excursion
2002-2006 Explorer
LINCOLN:1997-2007 Town Car
1998-1999 Navigator
MERCURY:1997 Cougar
1997-2008 Grand Marquis
2002-2006 Mountaineer

This article supersedes TSB 07-15-2 to update the vehicle model years.

ISSUE:

Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, or 6.8L 2V
engine
and aluminum cylinder heads may experience a spark plug port with
stripped
or missing threads.

ACTION:

Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition for non
warrantable repairs.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Ford Motor Company now authorizes LOCK-N-STITCH aluminum insert and
tool kit
as a proper repair procedure.
Follow the procedure included in the tool kit for using the tools and
inserts. Tool kits and inserts can be ordered from Rotunda by calling
1-800-Rotunda (768-8632). Choose option two (2), part number
302-00001.

NOTE:FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS DETERMINED THAT REPAIRS MADE WITH THESE
ALUMINUM
INSERTS AND LOCK-N-STITCH TOOLS DO NOT AFFECT THE HEAT TRANSFER
FUNCTION
BETWEEN THE SPARK PLUG AND THE CYLINDER HEAD. [note from Ed W -
http://fulltorque.com/ ]

NOTE:THIS PROCEDURE IS NOT AUTHORIZED AS A FORD WARRANTY REPAIR. FOR
VEHICLES WITHIN WARRANTY, REPLACEMENT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IS
RECOMMENDED.

NOTE:THIS IS THE ONLY FORD AUTHORIZED PROCEDURE FOR SPARK PLUG THREAD
REPAIRS.

NOTE:THIS PROCEDURE IS AUTHORIZED FOR ESP REPAIRS AND RETAIL REPAIRS.

WARRANTY STATUS:

Information Only - Not Warrantable

---------------------------------

Other intersting web sites:

http://fulltorque.com/
http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplugford.html
http://www.mattstruck.com/sparkplugs/sparkplugs.html
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/eb40340.htm
http://www.engine-builder.com/ar/Ford.pdf
http://www.jasperengines.com/pdf/4.6...ed_Threads.pdf
http://www.blownoutsparkplug.com/faqs.htm


All Expedition Owners should conside joining the Expedition Owners
Group. See:
Expedition mailing list
Expedition@xpog.com
Use this link to manage your subscription:
http://mail.xpog.com/mailman/listinfo/expedition
List archives:
http://archive.xpog.com

Regards,

Ed White

snoman

The BS is yours here. They did have a LOT of issue with plugs coming
out of 5.4 and V10 with aluminum head in years past and ford did
change the plug style and torque on them. You ned to get your ducks in
a row here before you spot off like this. Whiel Ford does not
recommand retightening them every 5K, I do on problem engine to make
sure they are staying snug. If they are not found loose after a few
times then you can skip it. It is/was a problem that Ford likes to
keep quiet about because they do not want to have to "eat" a lot of
them if they do not have too.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

spdloader

You ned to get your ducks in


I hate it when a guy spots off without his ducks lined up.

Spdloader

my name is nobody

Snowblower! Have you ever thought about or even tried using a spell
checker? Your spelling is atrocious! Not as bad as most of you misguided
misinformation, but it does run a close second...

my name is nobody

Especially when he NEDS to get them in a row before he SPOTS off...

bill p.

My 2002 F150 company work truck recently blew out the rear, passenger side
plug. Just under 40,000 miles on the truck. The plugs were original, never
removed or replaced. I have taken the truck in for all servicing, which up
to this incident has only been oil changes. It would have been nice to have
someone to blame for the problem, instead of Ford. It is kind of odd that
only Ford vehicles are having this "mechanic" caused problem. An improper
head design is the real culprit, or all aluminum head engines would have
similar, critical torque requirements and plug blow-outs.

spdloader

lol

rodan

You ned to get your ducks in a row here before you
spot off like this. Whiel Ford does not recommand
retightening every 5K, I do to be sure they stay snug.
____________________________________________

"Spdloader" wrote:

I hate it when a guy SPOTS off without his ducks lined up. ______________________________________________
<nobody@msn.com> wrote:

Especially when he NEDS to get them in a row before he SPOTS off...
______________________________________________

The message is what's important, not the language problem.
I RECOMMAND that we all back off for a WHIEL.

Rodan.

chuck

Well.... I didn't mean to stir-up a hornets nest but I guess I did
inadvertently, AND got some good info to think about in the process. The
threads appear OK on the plug that blew out and I am checking to make sure
each of the plugs are tight (not too tight). Thanks again.

Chuck

mark jones

It takes a lot of effort to keep a bunch of ducks in line.