mmz77

Does anyone know if the 2008 4.6 engine is prone to blowing out spark plugs? What years were effected? Friends 2004 4.6 and 2001 5.4 just happened within a week of each other.

mmz77

If someone could give me a list to what engines were prone to this problem and the years that would be great.

kevhead75

Plug blowout issues were related to engines in the old body style, prior to 2004. The 04-mid 07 5.4 3v has issues with plugs breaking in the head.
So no, the 2008 4.6 does not have plug blow out issues.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Mine all stay in....

'08f150stx

No issues with my '08 4.6 Wish some of those pursuit vehicles would have had plugs blow out. My guess, and that is what it is, is that the non-p.i. heads (4.6) had the issue. When the heads were modified to the P.I. design that issue was addressed.

Bhaus

I've got a 4.6L triton from 08 (80,000 miles, out of warranty but less then the recommend spark plug change interval) and this just happened to me today. I have never heard about it before. $50 tow charge, $150 in parts from the dealer, $250 in dealer labor and no sense of satisfaction on my end. I'm going to write a formal complaint to ford and see what they will do. I'm thinking a lawsuit with potential class action status is practical. This is ridiculous. It's a bad design that should have been stopped long ago. They need to make these aluminum heads with steel inserts so that the tap does not fail. I am extremely disappointed with Ford. An American company with potential Chinese ethics. I hope they come through, will keep you updated.

gone postal

It has nothing to do with the PI heads (not introduced until '09 model year) vs the non-PI heads. Ford redesigned the head to reduce blowouts, IIRC they made the area that the plugs go into slightly thicker to allow more surface area (more threads).

Proper technique is still needed with changing the plugs, you're still dealing with steel plugs in aluminum heads, which opens the door to easily damaged threads when changing plugs. Many manufacturers have aluminum heads with no steel inserts in them, so that dog won't hunt.

I have to laugh when I see someone mention class action lawsuits for something with as many variables as changing spark plugs. What's next, bonding mechanics for possible damage lawsuits because they unknowingly damaged threads when changing plugs?

mmz77

Well that's not good news by any means!

JP2085

PI started in 1999.

gone postal

Mea culpa. Thought he was referring to the 3v heads.

Too many acronyms.