02' V10 spark plug replacement

[MoabUSA1]

Hello I am looking for any info that might help me when I change the spark plugs on my 02' F-350 with the V-10. I have been told that the plugs like to break off when you try to take them out and that just doesnt sound like fun. If you have some tricks to share that would be Great Thankyou Brandon

 

[MoabUSA1]

valves

Also How do I tell if my engine is 2 or 3 valves per cylinder ?

 

[GOAT]

I have a 99' V10 and can tell you that 95% of all plug issues were due to installation error. They don't break off, but can pull the coil insert out of the head.

All 99-04s were 2V. 2005-2009 are 3V. The non-PI 1999 through early 00' V10s were most susceptible to thread issues.


1. Establish that you absolutely have to change them (running condition/miles)

2.Change them when cold

3. Use a quality sparkplug socket w. rubber insert, wobble, long extension. taped together for best results.

4. Replace all the boots while you're there (ask how I know)

5. If close to or over 100k, change the coils. Yes, all 10 of them

6. Motorcraft OEM replacement plugs.


PM for more info if needed, otherwise this is the place for V10 info:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum49/


HTH-Marcus

 

[Greg]

Would it be wise to install the new spark plugs with anti-seize on the threads Marcus? I would imagine so, but have never worked on a Ford V10.

 

[MoabUSA1]

Mileage

My truck has about 71,000 miles on it. I was just wanting to change them because I only Drive it a few times a year and it just seemed like it might be the smart thing to do, kind of a preventitive maitenance thing.

 

[GOAT]

Would it be wise to install the new spark plugs with anti-seize on the threads Marcus? I would imagine so, but have never worked on a Ford V10.

oh yeah, jenn was making meatloaf and i got distracted.....yummm


anti-seize on the treads and dielectric on the boots.

 

[Rot Box]

A good friend of mine replaced his V10 plugs with Bosch Platinum's.

It didn't take long at all before he started getting engine codes for detonation and also experienced poor throttle response. After replacing the coils and a bunch of other things he found the electrodes had burnt off the plugs and that was the culprit. Lots of wasted money just to find that out :-\

Long story short: Use Motorcraft plugs

 

[74highboy]

ive seen and heard lots of problems with bosch plugs at one shop i worked at if a customer wanted bosch we would try to sell them something else or refuse to do the work

 

[jsudar]

You don't really need to use anti-seize on the threads. If you get the motorcraft ones, Ford has been putting a different plating on the threads and they haven't had problems seizing.

Blow off the area around the coils with compressed air before you pull the coils out. It really sucks when junk falls down into the plug well and you can't get the socket on the plug or you pull the plug and dump a bunch of grit into the cylinder.

The service interval for those plugs is 100k miles. Don't waste your time changing them before that.

And FWIW, I would pour sand in my crankcase before I ran Bosch Platinum plugs.

 

[MoabUSA1]

plugs

I currently drive my truck about 5,000 miles a year so from what I am reading I shouldn't have to change those plugs for another 6 years. awesome I was only thinking of doing it now just so that when the time comes they arent so corroded I cant remove them, or is it really not going to make a differance?

 

[LT.]

I just came from a reputable shop that is having to pull a V-10 motor out of a Ford because the motor crapped out the number 10 spark plug. Don't fool yourself, Ford has complete heads in stock because this is such a common problem. We just ordered a complete set of heads today and the fella at the parts counter knew exactly what we were doing. The problem will manefest itself quite commonly. What happens is you are driving down the road and all the sudden it will sound like you have an exhaust leak. When the plug comes out of the head it will also send the coil up into the fuel rail causing a knocking kind of a sound. To do the R and R on the motor calls for 28.4 hours of labor (per the book). This equates to about 3 and a half days just to pull the motor, replace parts, and reinstall. The 6.8L Ford is what they call a modular motor. All the wireing harnesses are the same for the 4.6L, 5.4L and the 6.8L, cool idea on Fords part. The spark plug and the head will warm up and cool off at different degrees causing the problem. What gets me is that Ford is well aware of the problem and is stocking all heads just becasue of the failure.

LT.

 

[oxbronco]

We have 3 Fords with the v10 engine and have had excellent luck with them. The oldest is a 2000 with 250,000 miles. changed the spark plugs twice, never had a problem, the 2nd is a 2002, with 100,000 just changed the plugs no problem. We are constantly pulling loads over 10,000 pounds with these trucks and in my opinion this is the best gas engine Ford has ever built. Just like the advise from previous posts change them cold. My brother in law is a mechanic for Questar gas, they run alot of Fords with the v10, and haven't had any spark plug or head problems. Just my 2 cents

 

[ATOYA4U]

My brother in law is a mechanic for Questar gas, they run alot of Fords with the v10, and haven't had any spark plug or head problems. Just my 2 cents[/QUOTE]


Thats funny my best friend is one of the senior Mech for Questar and he has told me about a few they have had!

 

[oxbronco]

Thats funny cause Jake, my bro in law said they havent had any. Kinda weird? I just know that we work the crap out of these trucks, and they have been awesome.

 

[GOAT]

We have 3 Fords with the v10 engine and have had excellent luck with them. The oldest is a 2000 with 250,000 miles. changed the spark plugs twice, never had a problem, the 2nd is a 2002, with 100,000 just changed the plugs no problem. We are constantly pulling loads over 10,000 pounds with these trucks and in my opinion this is the best gas engine Ford has ever built. Just like the advise from previous posts change them cold. My brother in law is a mechanic for Questar gas, they run alot of Fords with the v10, and haven't had any spark plug or head problems. Just my 2 cents

agreed


Like i posted earlier, a majority of the issues comes from user error. Done correctly, there is nothing to worry about. My 99' is worst for plug issues, and has had three sets of plus in it. 172k, driven daily, tows 14k(not that fast) and still going strong.

The 6.8 V10 is one of the best gas tow engines produced. Mileage, low emissions, longevity and a decent amount of power for moderate towing.

 

[jsudar]

I worked at a Ford dealer for a long time and we had far more problems with early 5.4L's blowing plugs out of the head than we ever had with the 6.8L. Probably only saw one or two V10's blow a plug, but we saw a least one 5.4L a month.

With that said, I have a '97 F250 LD with a 5.4L and 175k and have never had a problem. Had to put one coil in it and the timing chains are a bit rattly, but other than that, it's a winner.

Just don't use a breaker bar or impact wrench when reinstalling the plugs. I have probably changed the plugs in 50 or so 5.4L's and never had a problem. Same with the V10.

 

[GOAT]

I worked at a Ford dealer for a long time and we had far more problems with early 5.4L's blowing plugs out of the head than we ever had with the 6.8L. Probably only saw one or two V10's blow a plug, but we saw a least one 5.4L a month.

With that said, I have a '97 F250 LD with a 5.4L and 175k and have never had a problem. Had to put one coil in it and the timing chains are a bit rattly, but other than that, it's a winner.

Just don't use a breaker bar or impact wrench when reinstalling the plugs. I have probably changed the plugs in 50 or so 5.4L's and never had a problem. Same with the V10.

Same experience here. Many moons ago, I was a tech, writer and then service manager for Ford. Over the course of two years, I saw three or four early 5.4s that blew plugs out. The one v10 was a rentAcenter truck that someone changed plugs in beforehand. We just sold them a new motor instead of messing with it.

Hand tighten the plug before throwing a wrench on it. 12-14 lbs of torque max.

 

[88 Runner SAS]

I work for a shop. I replaced a head on a 2000 V-10 that blew a plug. One month after the guy bought it. That said, the previous owner advertised new plugs, so its possible he messed it up. Saw one other local guy have to do it too, and I think he had replaced his plugs too. One thing I've found is that a lot of em still get dirt down past the boot if its used offroad. Good idea to blow each hole with compressed air after pulling coil to be safe.

 

[GOAT]

Good idea to blow each hole with compressed air after pulling coil to be safe.

absolutely!

 

[MoabUSA1]

Specs

So I need a list of all the pre plug replacement things that I can do to make life much easier. And also the best things to do when taking the plugs out and putting the new plugs in. Thankyou