Is there a special lubricant needed to remove the spark plugs on the 2001 Ford F

1. 53

   ladydemonsiaposted 15 years ago

   Is there a special lubricant needed to remove the spark plugs on the 2001 Ford F150 5.4L engine?
   
   My husband is looking to replace his spark plugs, but everyone says they have a tendency to break off or strip the treads in the block. and the aluminum block corrodes with the steel threads of the spark plug. I read your description for plug removal of the 2004 F-150 and later models, but I wasn't sure if the directions would be the same or similar for the 2001. My husband was told Ford makes a special lubricant for this job, that they wont sell to the public. I find it hard to believe that Ford has the market corned on this "special" lubricant.

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2. 76

   RayTheWrenchposted 15 years ago

   No just use WD-40 or something similar. I prefer PB Blaster. Let me know if you have any other questions.

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3. 60

   WholesalePartsposted 15 years ago

   There is no magic lubricant. I have an inside source at two Ford Dealerships, and my brother has a garage. My brother and his staff have done many of these F150, all the F- series Super Duty trucks, Navigator, Expedition, and the Mark LT. They all have the same problem with the plugs. There are special tools. My brother has two tools. His tools are from Cornwell, a Ford Spark Plug Extractor Set part no. HR 39100, and a Ford Triton Porcelain Extractor Part no. HR 39200.
   
   "Ford does suggest to back out the spark plugs no more than 1/8 of a turn. Using Motorcraft Carburetor Tune-Up Cleaner, fill the plug well just above where the jamb nut hex sits (1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon). A minimum period of 15 minutes of soak time is required. The cleaner will wick down to the ground electrode shield and soften the carbon deposits in this time. DO NOT WORK the spark plug back and forth at this point".
   This caution is from Ford!         
                                            CAUTION                                       
   "EXCESSIVE MOTORCRAFT CARBURETOR TUNE-UP CLEANER, OR REPEATING THE PROCESS SEVERAL TIMES WITH TOO MUCH CLEANER FLUID, COULD INTRODUCE ENOUGH LIQUID VOLUME TO HYDRO-LOCK THE ENGINE".
   
   In the real world, the technicians have discovered putting the carburetor cleaner in DOES NOT HELP. They still encounter the same problem. The problem with the plugs is not really the carbon deposits. The heads expands with heat and shrinks when cold. The part of the plug that gets stuck is the end with the electrode. 
   
   Ford has told it technicians not to remove the plugs with a WARM or HOT engine because it causes problems with the removal of the spark plugs. The auto should be room temperature.
   
   In summary, the best thing to do is buy the tools. Unfortunately changing these spark plugs is a nightmare. The front plugs are not to bad even if they break. The back spark plugs are much more difficult especially if the break.

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4. 56

   ShangaBessposted 14 years ago

   Not really. Soak it in a penetrant  such as wd-40. Just go gentle and you shouldn't have an issue.

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