blew a sparkplug outta the head

[piglit50]

was driving down to hollywood,fl and when i was passing Sheridan i heard a pop. thought my manifold blew a gasket or something. so i got off at the next exit and felt my car vibrating and missing badly. i had a 2000 cvpi and my cop connectors went bad a couple of times. so i thought that was the problem. But nope i pulled the cop and plug and saw metal shavings from my #2 cylinder. at that time i knew what was a matter. any thought of what to do. needs to be a good and quick repair:alone::(:mad2::shake:

[rayjay]

From what I read here in the past it is not a cheap repair. Replacing the head may be necessary.

[piglit50]

i was afraid someone might say that. im gonna take it to mercury in a few hours and see what they say. i have a extended warranty so hopefully it might be covered. fingers crossed

[RoyLPita]

Look at this:

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: 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


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

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.

Copyright © 2007 Ford Motor Company

[my_rodder]

my old Mustang did the same thing, fixed it with a fix a thread. Some say that this does not, work but we are know the guy who has it now. The car is running fine and he's hard on it:).
I know that some of the shops I deal with say that the 5.4 and 4.6 love to do this.
Good luck on your repair.

[ImpalaSlayer]

man that really sucks. i hope this aint too common of a problem

[ROB502]

How do the rest of us keep this from happening??:bigcry:

[magindat]

How do the rest of us keep this from happening??:bigcry:

Always change the plugs when the engine is COLD. The threads weaken from the hot expanded aluminum threads having a greater grip on the plug's steel threads.

Always use anti-seize on the THREADS while trying not to get any on the seat. The normal chemical process between aluminum and steel weakens the threads. Couple this with the 'sticking' that's caused by same process and add the thermal expansion issue and it's a recipe for super-weak and super-thin threads.

A few simple precautions is all that it needed - IMO. YMMV

[Blackmobile]

This solidifies the choice of using NGK TR6IX plugs. They require less removal and installation that IMHO, will lessen any spark plug thread damage.

[magindat]

This solidifies the choice of using NGK TR6IX plugs. They require less removal and installation that IMHO, will lessen any spark plug thread damage.

I still believe in what Greg says about a cold motor. Look how often HE changes plugs!!!

[ctrlraven]

This solidifies the choice of using NGK TR6IX plugs. They require less removal and installation that IMHO, will lessen any spark plug thread damage.

Same plugs I use. Funny I was on the can this morning thinking when my plugs need to be changed lol.

Anyone know the change interval for NGK TR6IX plugs? I pulled mine the other month ago and they looked just dandy with around 22k miles on them.

[Breadfan]

For a possible repair, try a timesert. I know there are varying opinions on this, but if you're looking at a head replacement otherwise it might be worth a shot - if it doesn't work then you replace the head and are only out the cost of the timesert and labor.

http://www.timesert.com/html/ford.html

[piglit50]

yeah i currently have the ngk tri6ix plugs. i brought it to mercury today to get fixed

[Newt]

Is this more of a problem to you guys who race your Mercs?

[fastblackmerc]

Is this more of a problem to you guys who race your Mercs?

No

It's more of a problem for those who don't torque the plugs, use anti-sieze and do plug changes when cold per Magindat.

[ImpalaSlayer]

No

It's more of a problem for those who don't torque the plugs, use anti-sieze and do plug changes when cold per Magindat.

what is the tq value?

[ctrlraven]

Not a whole lot of torque, just 10-12 ft. lbs. I believe. I fingered tighten them all and then did a half turn with the socket.

[Joe Walsh]

No

It's more of a problem for those who don't torque the plugs, use anti-sieze and do plug changes when cold per Magindat.


what is the tq value?


Not a whole lot of torque, just 10-12 ft. lbs. I believe. I fingered tighten them all and then did a half turn with the socket.

Service manual says 11 ft-lbs.

You can't do this low a setting with a standard torque wrench, you need a inch-lb wrench.

Aluminum heads with a small number of threads are fragile!

Don't use a lot of anti-seize...just a very light amount on the bottom threads of the plug, closest to the electrode.
The anti-seize will affect your torque wrench readings.
You only want enough to keep the steel plug threads from 'sticking' to the aluminum head threads.

[Paul T. Casey]

Been there, done that. If you're in warranty, it's a covered item. I was.

[ctrlraven]

Service manual says 11 ft-lbs.

You can't do this low a setting with a standard torque wrench, you need a inch-lb wrench.

Aluminum heads with a small number of threads are fragile!

Don't use a lot of anti-seize...just a very light amount on the bottom threads of the plug, closest to the electrode.
The anti-seize will affect your torque wrench readings.
You only want enough to keep the steel plug threads from 'sticking' to the aluminum head threads.

I was close enough lol. Yeah I had asked the shop next door to my work if they had a in-lb wrench and they didn't. Owner of the shop told me light amount of anti-seize and snug feeling would be fine. So far so good but that is something I want to pick up (in-lb. wrench).