Blew a spark plug out on one of the work trucks today. 2002 f250 5.4. From my research apparently forwards are notorious for doing this, it's got 240,000 miles on it. The cylinder in question is one of the rear ones right up next to the firewall and very tough to access.
Has anyone gone through this in their work truck? And do you have a recommendation for repair method? I am considering installing a Helicoil or something similar, however due to the cramped work space and cylinder location I'm considering removing the head first and doing it on the bench.
let me hear your thoughts
Art O said
Dec 16, 2014
See if you can find a Ford Truck Forum
waxman18324 said
Dec 16, 2014
Ray,
With 240,000 miles you might want to do a valve job on both cylinder heads. Another option is just to replace both heads, with a lower mileage version, from a local junk yard. Either set of heads I would do the valve job just to play it safe.
Hank
Jeff Thompson said
Dec 17, 2014
Not really a gear head, but at 240,000 miles if the tranny is solid and the body is decent maybe a rebuilt engine would be the way to go. Keep the good parts off the old engine for future repairs.
Fred W said
Dec 17, 2014
Ray, I'm with most everyone else. If you go to the trouble of pulling the head you might just as well go further and do a short block rebuild.
The Helicoils do work but can be a true pain and if you need to do any thread prep you take the risk of putting debris into the cylinder. Keep a good high powered shop vac sucking at the debris.
Liberty SoftWash said
Dec 17, 2014
Sell the truck and get a different one.
Doug Rucker said
Dec 17, 2014
Is this one you bought off an auction not long ago?
lkendall said
Dec 17, 2014
uh ohhh... they dont have spark plugs they have coil packs
SprayWash said
Dec 18, 2014
Im pretty good at ferreting out deals. This truck cost about 1400 , I've had it for 2 years and have put 50k on it. If the repair costs more than 1000, I'll probably donate it, and start fresh.
SprayWash said
Dec 18, 2014
I called my mechanic buddy , he said he'd try to put a helicoil in for 300, if he's not successful, head will need to come off. If that happens I'll drive it back to shop and try it myself.
Blew a spark plug out on one of the work trucks today. 2002 f250 5.4. From my research apparently forwards are notorious for doing this, it's got 240,000 miles on it. The cylinder in question is one of the rear ones right up next to the firewall and very tough to access.
Has anyone gone through this in their work truck? And do you have a recommendation for repair method? I am considering installing a Helicoil or something similar, however due to the cramped work space and cylinder location I'm considering removing the head first and doing it on the bench.
let me hear your thoughts
With 240,000 miles you might want to do a valve job on both cylinder heads. Another option is just to replace both heads, with a lower mileage version, from a local junk yard. Either set of heads I would do the valve job just to play it safe.
Hank
The Helicoils do work but can be a true pain and if you need to do any thread prep you take the risk of putting debris into the cylinder. Keep a good high powered shop vac sucking at the debris.