Ford guys: Had the dreaded spark plug blowout

[GilpinGuy]

5.4L Triton in a 2001 F150

I had a spark plug blow out of the #7 cylinder yesterday, stripping the threads in the head. Common problem, lots of different fix options. I'm not interested the the Doorman or Helicoil quick fix stuff. They seem hokey and temporary.

I'm leaning toward a Time-Sert Kit (https://www.amazon.com/Ford-Triton-Spark-Repair-TIME-SERT/dp/B0038B325I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1479979779&sr=8-1&keywords=time-sert+5.4l+ford&linkCode=ll1&tag=raiscotuquai-20&linkId=db10802ac21fd7fc0924cd85e4dc1479) at $435. But there is also the similar knock-off CalVan kit (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z9D6KW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=raiscotuquai-20&linkId=4d4dd0caa7e09b68e5f57dab0a20b230) for $240. Both look like they work ok, but the Time-Sert does look like a higher quality kit from the YouTube videos I've seen. But $200 higher quality?

Anyone have experience with these or a preference?

[ray1970]

I deal with stripped bolt holes frequently in my occupation. My preferred repair is a Keensert. Not sure if it will work in your application or if they offer them in the size you need but I would venture to guess you won't spend $400+ dollars to repair one hole.

Here's a link that kind of explains them. You might do some more googling and see if you can find more info.

http://www.repairengineering.com/keensert.html

[ray1970]

Oh, and helicoils are garbage in my opinion. I definitely wouldn't use them for a spark plug hole repair.

[Erni]

Have you called a machine shop to see if they can do this for you? At $400 I would think a shop would be happy to help.

[TFOGGER]

I'm a Timesert guy when it comes to repairing spark plug threads. I've not done a Triton, but I've used them many times on bikes over the last 20 years, and many times they can be done without even removing the head.

[BPTactical]

So glad I got rid of my 5.4.
Why Ford felt it necessary to reinvent the spark plug escapes me.

[Irving]

So glad I got rid of my 5.4.
Why Ford felt it necessary to reinvent the spark plug escapes me.

Sounds like it also allows the spark plugs to escape.

[Great-Kazoo]

So glad I got rid of my 5.4.
Why Ford felt it necessary to reinvent the spark plug escapes me.


Didn't they Have a Better Idea

[fportmen45]

I'm a Timesert guy when it comes to repairing spark plug threads.

This. Back in the day, dealerships used to Helicoil the hell out of the 5.4 with terrible results.

[zteknik]

This. Back in the day, dealerships used to Helicoil the hell out of the 5.4 with terrible results.
Exactly, we did the helicoil thing until it started costing us even more than it was worth. Then we switched over to the timeserts.
But the only real fix is replacing the head.

[zteknik]

Didn't they Have a Better Idea
Job security #1. [Coffee]

[GilpinGuy]

Any opinions on the CalVan?

[fportmen45]

Any opinions on the CalVan?

Can't speak to it as I've never used it.

[Bstoker87]

One reason i tell everyone i know looking at Ford trucks to stay far away from the 5.4..

We had one come back 500 miles after a tune up, company ate the repair bill.

[To Bear Arms]

I have a buddy who bought the Time-sert kit. I will talk to him tomorrow and see if you can borrow or rent it from him if you want.

[zteknik]

Any opinions on the CalVan?

Personally I never have used it nor heard any reviews on it. I would check to see what the differences is between the two, other than price point. Could be the CalVan is an identical product just a lesser known brand.
As long as it's not harbor freight stuff you should be ok with it as long as you follow the instructions.

[GilpinGuy]

I have a buddy who bought the Time-sert kit. I will talk to him tomorrow and see if you can borrow or rent it from him if you want.

Very cool man, I appreciate the offer.

I think I'm going to just buy the Time-Sert because I have a feeling I'll be doing this again, plus I'm anal as hell as far as being prepared on the road. I can keep this with me in my emergency kit and do it on the side of the damn road if I really needed to. Also, looking at the tools, the Time-Sert will be easier for the #4 and #8 cylinders back by the firewall if I ever have to do those.

Thanks for the input guys.

[ben4372]

My bet is you'll only need it once. Maybe twice. If it was me I'd buy the Time-sert. I tend to over prepare. I think its a quick repair for a shop, think only on hole per head is really prone to popping. Might be more cost effective to let someone else do it.

[GilpinGuy]

My bet is you'll only need it once. Maybe twice. If it was me I'd buy the Time-sert. I tend to over prepare. I think its a quick repair for a shop, think only on hole per head is really prone to popping. Might be more cost effective to let someone else do it.

Ordered it last night. Now I'll never need it again. If I had a shop do it I'd blow another plug in a week. LOL

[BPTactical]

Funny thing about the 5.4 I had. It never blew the plugs out.
It ate them.
I would get a cylinder misfire code, pull the plug and the electrode and half of the ceramic of the nose was just gone.
5 plugs in the span of a year, 3 of them on the same cylinder.

[TFOGGER]

Funny thing about the 5.4 I had. It never blew the plugs out.
It ate them.
I would get a cylinder misfire code, pull the plug and the electrode and half of the ceramic of the nose was just gone.
5 plugs in the span of a year, 3 of them on the same cylinder.

Bad injector. That cylinder was running lean and detonating.

[enthusiast]

Had the same thing happen on my 2002 Expedition 5.4 and contemplated ordering the kit. I called around and American 4x4 have done this several times. They did it and torqued the the rest of the plugs to the "correct" torque never had a problem since. My Expo has 154K on it and still running strong.

[jmg8550]

Don't the new spark plugs have a few more threads so they won't blow out? Also, shouldn't you have replaced the spark plugs at 100k? I've only seen one vehicle blow out plugs, and it was on a supercharged F150 Lightning.

Helicoil aren't junk, when used in the correct applications. Spark plugs would not be a correct application.

[GilpinGuy]

It's not the plugs that are the problem. The heads only had 4 threads for the plugs to go to. Newer heads have been improved and have more threads. Plus, from what I've read, Ford initially recommended that the plugs be torqued way too low. The plugs would eventually vibrate loose and blow out, stripping what little thread was left in the head.

My rig is new to me. I bought it in August from a forum member actually. He had no idea this would happen of course so no hard feelings there at all. Plus it has 260K miles in it. I'm sure more repairs are in store for me in the future, but no payment and cheap insurance. I will certainly be checking the torque on the other plugs when I dive into this project .

[GilpinGuy]

I did this repair with the Time Serts a few days ago. Really easy fix after you get all the crap out of the way so tools will fit.

The Time Sert tools are genius and really high quality. Awesome step by step instructions that were laminated as well. It would be kinda hard to screw it up, really.

[fportmen45]

I did this repair with the Time Serts a few days ago. Really easy fix after you get all the crap out of the way so tools will fit.

The Time Sert tools are genius and really high quality. Awesome step by step instructions that were laminated as well. It would be kinda hard to screw it up, really.


Awesome!

[zteknik]

Glad you got it fixed. Sucks having to do heads when only threads are screwed up.