Not sure if this it the right place. I'm attempting to change out my plugs. A 5/8" plug socket didn't fit. Found a 15mm deep socket to remove some type of insert. After removing the insert, the plug doesn't come out. I notice there's a liner of some type in the outer hole for the spark plug. How do you remove the liner to be able to put a plug socket on the plug? 2004 F150 FX4 w/ the 5.4L engine. See attached photos.

 

Not for sure but I think u just pulled the tread out and left the plug part in the hole. These trucks suck on the plugs. Ford has a tsb on the issue and u have to put penertaing lube down the hole and turn it a 1/4 of a turn and then repeat the process. Most of the time u have to drill it out. It is a new plug size 9/16 I believe. I no they suck. Why did u change them, they r 100,000 mile plugs.

 

Not much help here. Not familiar with the 3V motors

 

Oooh....lousy thing to have happen right there. There are issues with those plugs...even the Ford techs wind up pulling the heads to get them out.

Don't know if this info will help you know but things to consider for the future:

1. Engine has to be warm, not hot, before attempting this.
2. Blow out spark plug wells with compressed air.
3. Spray liberal amount of penetrating oil into the plug well (Aero Kroil is best here) until you have enough to cover the hex head on the jam nut.
4. Loosen 1/8 to 1/4 turn at a time...could need some considerable effort. Work a back and forth to avoid stripping theads and breaking jam nut.
5. Pray it all comes out in one piece.

Sadly yours failed in one of two common failure modes. You either just get the jam nut (your case) or the jam nut + ceramic center piece. What you'll need to do now is take it to a dealership. There is a special tool set to remove the ground shield but seems only dealerships have it.

 

Good Advice, we have used this technique every time we do plugs on a 3v motor. We also have a set of heads for back up! Matco and SnapOn have that tool available also

 

Yeah....I think I prefer my plugs blowing out of the cylinder head rather than getting a piece of a plug stuck in one...

 

thats a BIG 10-4

 

Thanks for the info everyone. After finding more horror stories on the F150 forum, I put everything back together, returned the coil packs, and spark plugs to the store. I then found the necessary tap to correct my stripped 02 sensor. Repair that issue and changed the oil. Told myself the truck is going to dealership to have this done since they have the tools to fix it if one or more breaks off in the head(s). Ford MoCo took the fun out of working on this motor.

 

Fun? What could possibly be more fun than drilling into your own cylinder head while it is still in the engine bay? Oh....putting in a TimeCert for a popped #2 plug with just basic handtools in the middle of your college campus' parking lot...


Ford wants it fun.

 

My friends moms expedition blew the plug out along with the coil pack. ******* shattered that thing.