I'm going to replace my plugs on my '03 F150 (5.4), any suggestions on brands?

MOTORCRAFT,,,I would not replace with anything else,also on a side note,im going to suggest something to you and im being serious here ok,I would go to Oreillys and have them get me a set of spb102a plug boots to put back in,they are like 4.00 bucks a piece,but it will be the best money you have spent to keep you from having to go back into it to find a misfire....the old boots swell and get water in them and will usually give you a hard time...just my 2 cents worth ok...

There is a problem with the 04-07 5.4 3V spark plugs. Since yours is a 2003 you may be ok. The problem is that they are a two piece design and break when you try to take them out. Do a search on F-150 spark plug problems. I can do my 2007 but it scares me so I am going to have the dealer do the first spark plug change. I would use the same type of plugs that are in it.

Allen, I also have a 07 5.4 and have read the same things...A Ford tech told me to only run regular unleaded gas and have them changed out at 60k and you should not have a problem. The higher octane fuel will cause carbon buildup on the plug threads making them hard to remove. Sounds crazy that running lower octane is better but this is what I was told. I will know for sure after another 30k...

Yes, it is common for the 2 piece plugs to break. Make sure that the 1 piece is installed when the plugs are replaced. It's also common for the cylinder head threads to "blow out" while driving on many late model Fords.

99 and up will have issues with plugs "blowing out" I have reparied several trucks with this issue. the plugs breaking and getting stuck in the hole sounds kinda strange and sounds more like your local ford house trying to make some money.... all plugs are built with the lower and upper sections lower being the threaded metal part of plug.. upper is the ceramic portion. Get you a quality plug wrench that has the rubber in it. If if breaks the upper portion is in the socket. take it out and unscrew the bottom portion. You man need a small pocket magnet to get the rest of it out. Get with Dave above and get a good spark plug socket.

It's true Bryan. I have read several horror stories on the issue. There is even a Technical services bulletin from ford on it. The plug breaks and leaves the ground shield in the head. Some of the first 5.4s didn't have enough threads in the head and if the plugs weren’t installed right, they would blow them out. Like I said, do a Google search for Ford Spark plug problems and read the articles.

You have the 2 valve engine so the broken sparkplug issue will not be your issue. However there is serveral TSB's related to all of the Ford F150's but if you follow proper proceedure and be patient it won't be a problem. I'm a member on another forum F150online.com go there and do a search and you will find all kinds of information on this subject. There is another site to check as well blownsparkplug.com that can help. Trick is and I've done mine a couple times now use ONLY Motocraft plugs, I also shot some Areocroil (Kroil) penetrating oil in the slot when removing the plug to prevent galding the threads. Don't use much as you don't want a bunch going into the cylinder head and running the chance of hydrolocking the motor. The best thing to remember is the aircompressor is your friend use it often to blow out any dirt or debris. When you go to reinstall the plugs do NOT use antiseize on these engines that is for the 04's with the 3valve and up only. it will add to the chance of having a blowout. It has been recommended that the new plugs be torqued to 28 ft lbs not the 14-16 originally recommended. The 97-01's 5.4L only had like 5 threads the heads were changed and later they had 8 threads your year will fall into that catagory. Next as stated before if you don't replace the COP's then at least replace the boots. Alot of guys including myself are getting a new set of coils from ebay here is the link
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/GLOBAL-AUTOMOTIVE__W0QQ_armrsZ1

search for DG508 you can get a set of 8 for around $85 and they have a lifetime warranty. Do not get the Accels or Granatelli's or MSD's they are junk. I ended up with an extra set I keep in the garage just so I don't have to wait in case I need them. Which ever way you decide to go take the boots off and coat the inside of them with dielectric grease and be carful when you put the boots back on the coils not to get any on the coil springs where they contact the plug if so use rubbing alcohol and a q-tip to clean the spring end only. I used a small instrument screwdriver to smear the grease in the boots. The grease acts as an insulator to prevent missfires as well as makes them easier to remove later down the line. The only other couple of things that come to mind is I pulled the fuel rail up on mine and tied it up out of the way and it gave me alot more room. The other thing is don't even think about dragging out the 1/2" sockets I did every thing with a 1/4" set with the exception of removing and reinstalling the plugs and I used a 3/8" flexhead and that was a big help as well. Sorry didn't mean to highjack the thread but hope this helps, like I said earlier be patient. Let me know if you have anymore Q's.

Pictire the lower metal piece being 2 pieces. The lower half stays in the head when you attempt to unscrew the plug. Therefore there is no hex to turn & a special tool is required.

For the 04-07's the lower shank piece is crimped onto the nut making it a two piece assembely. This is a tech link and even though its quite lengthy it has some very good tips to follow. Refer to episod 26. Ford now recommends using carberator cleaner to pre-soak instead of penetrating oil. I highly recommend watching this if you've never done so.

http://www.flatratetech.com/index.php?categoryid=4

97Fordnut
I am also a member of F150online.com. don't post much but I do alot of reading. Take care!

Howdy Brutha

Do like I did and buy a Toyota next time. The Ford 5.4 is junk and could take Ford down at some point. As far as your plugs go the Ford Forum is a good place for advice.

The 5.4 is Junk? Guess we will see. Only got 26,000 on mine

Have you seen this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWjTbiYo3x0&feature=user

Here's my $.02. The original topic was spark plugs, not which truck is better. Videos & test can be manipulated to show the desired strong & weak points for whomever is paying for the test. Example, why didn't they show the Dodge or Nissan results in the test? I can only guess because it was better than their truck, so they omitted it! Am I right? Am I wrong? I don't know & honestly don't care. All modern trucks are built very equal as far as overall quality. It comes down to personal preference! Nothing more---nothing less!

You are Very correct. And it sure wasn't my intention to highjack the thread just trying to help a guy out on sparkplug changing questions and the differences between the 97-03's and 04-07's. Hope I did not offend anyone and I'm sorry if I did.

The best recommendation that I can give is to go the the Ford F150 forum. On this forum you can learn all about the issues with these motors and spark plugs. You will learn that the early ones might spit plugs and the 03 - 07s have 2 piece plugs. You will also learn that if you are one off the unfortunate ones to have an issue it can cost you some serious dough. You will also learn that the issues with this motor go beyond spark plugs. I bought a new 2001 Supercrew 4x4 and spent a fair sum on it. I am very diligent about my maint. but this truck has let me down big time. It is not just the motor either. I am sorry if I get a little carried away at times. I bought this truck with the intention of keeping for a while since my wife only puts about 10k a year on it. I am left with a truck that is almost worthless because once Consumer Reports got a hold of the motor issues the resales have tanked.

140,000 on my 2003 5.4 on the same plugs.

you need to replace some plugs.

If you can get them out. Most mechanics and Ford recommend 40-60K because of the problems. I have changed mine every 40-45k. That seems to be about as far as I can make it before the check engine light comes on. I glad that my wife does not put many miles on this truck.

When it dies I am just going to buy a new one. So far, so good.

Do the plugs/tune up and you will see an increase of fuel mileage!

You have the 2valve 5.4L they actually added threads in this series head to aid in the plug launching issue (actually it was in 01). If proper proceedure is followed the plug will not blow out. In 04 the 3valve 5.4L was introduced and this head design was kept until 07 these engines have the issue with the plugs breaking (in 08 to present this was changed also). Again if proper proceedure is followed then there is not a problem. I have heard very few issues lately regarding the broken plug issue so most or the ford dealers tech's must have finally figured it out. In regards to you being able to go that many miles is not unusual. I have a 97 and went 100k and that was last year, and when I pulled the plugs the gap was 84 thousands as opposed to the 54 thousands recomended. I still haven't figured out how it started little own run but it did. This should also tell you how often this truck is driven, mostly only pulling the boat to and from the lake, yes I know it's shameful I should promise to do better. At our company the operations manager has an 05 (the one with the plug break issue) a year and a half ago his plugs were changed at 150k. They didn't break any in fact the mechanic said he's pulled worse looking plugs out that only had 50k. So depending on the vehicle and how it's driven says alot. I really doubt that the 3valve he has would have the same results under my driving habits. I'm sure if you were to perform a tune-up you would see definate performance improvements.