i dont get why people are replacing them way before required service intervals anyway? why dont you just let the dealership pull them when need be and if something happens blame it on them..

 

I was completely unaware of the spark plug problem, I have about 23000 miles on my car. should i try and change the plugs or just leave them?

 

if the plugs broke off, you can blame the dealer all you want, but i can gurantee you they won't be doing the labour of pulling your head off for free...design flaw or not

 

you dont have to pull the head off they make a tool that will pull the broken part out the 5.4, 4.6, and 6.8 if they are a 3 valve and their is any build up it can break off. The last plugs i pulled out was on a f 150 with 30,000 on it and 1 broke off. Its a B to get out also.

 

Crap mine has 50K miles. I guess time for a plug change? That would SUCK for them to break off[:@]

 

They really don’t break off. The metal case of the original plug is a two piece unit with the lower tip part held into the upper part by a swedge around the lower part. When the lower part gets stuck in the head it just pulls loose from the upper part as the plug is unscrewed. The Champion plug is a one piece unit.

 

Does this problem apply to the V6 as well?

 

what about the autolites?any one tried them,are they all one piece like the champions?

 

They are two piece.

 

Dagastino racing has them in stock for about $17 they had them to me in about 3 days. Haven't put them in yet. The gaps were all over the place I've regapped them.

In response to several comments, I wouldn't hold my breath for many aftermarket plugs cause Ford changed the plug design so they only will fit a couple of years.

It won't be Fords problem because your waranty will be up when they are due to be changed at 100,000 miles, it will be your problem.

Ford charges $125.00 per broken plug to remove with their tools (head left on) another forum member broke one off then had it towed to dealership where they broke 4 more with a total of 5 removed at $125.00 ea. plus 8 new plugs at $10.00 ea. ouch!

I don't know who has more blame Ford or Autolite for making the crimped together 2 piece plug.