Anybody with a vehicle with 3V heads?

[Goldenpony]

I have a 2006 Mustang GT. I began hearing horror stories about broken spark plugs a year ago. It seems this new "high tech" spark plugs these engines use have a habit of separating when you try to remove them - the lower part, or ground electrode shield I think they call it, breaks off and stays in the head. These plugs are supposed to be good for 100,000 miles, but since I heard more and more of these stories, I decided to change mine early, it only has 38K miles on it.

I read and re-read the TSB and did exactly as it said, warm the engine, blow out the plug wells, spray about an inch or so of Aerokroil in the plug well. Loosen the plug 1/8 to 1/4 turn and let the penetrant work for a minium of 10 minutes, I went 15. The first plug grudgingly came out OK. The second one snapped off, in the worst possible way - the porcealin stayed in the lower piece. I threw in the towl and had AAA truck it to Beechmont Ford. God only knows how much it will cost to fix the POS, and if it will ever be the same. This is the only car I ever factory ordered and it was my retirement present to my self.

If you have one of these vehicles with the 3V heads, I'd advise trading it before you need new plugs. This has to be the worst design screw up in history. Shame on you Ford. I hope to be part of any class action law suit that comes about over this. :mad:

[kermit]

YOU THINK THAT'S BAD TRY CHANGING THEM IN A F-150. :dunno: THE PURPOSE OF THIS

[DeckerEnt]

Try it in a E-250. I just let the mechanic do it down the street. They have the tools to fix it.
Keith

[kermit]

NEVER PUT THEM IN A VAN BUT I WOULD BET THERE IS MORE ROOM ON THE VAN THAN THERE IS ON THE BACK ONES OF A F-150. THIS IS THE MAIN REASON FOR ME NOT BUYING A 04 UP F-150

[mld54]

I work in a Ford dealership and have seen several of them break, there is a tool to remove the broken part, you use a metric tap to thread the sleeve and a special puller to remove it, it's easy to get the sleeve out if the porcelain comes out in one piece, if it breaks off the porcelain can be driven down in the sleeve far enough to use the tap and get it out,

the trick to removing the plugs without breaking them is, don't let the engine cool off, it needs to be as hot as it can be without being so hot that you burn your self, and don't use any swivel on the socket, the socket needs to stay straight, someone should make a socket with a ring on the top that would just fit into the spark plug well and hold it straight to prevent any side load, after using this method I haven't broken any more plugs,
I think it is a very poor design

[Sharad]

I've said it time and time again... (and I know I sound like a moron when I say it) I can't stand the modular motor! It is LITERALLY reason enough for me to never buy a newer mustang again. I had a '99 GT that had a hesitation I could not get rid of. I had a brand new 2005 F-150 that had the "cam phaser tick". I recently bought a mach1 and found out it had the "engine tick". I swear, the entire modular motor family is completely worthless in my book. If they put a pushrod motor in a new mustang, I'd be the FIRST person in line at the dealership to order a new one!

People can say "ancient technology" all they want... the LSX family of chevy engines is FAR SUPERIOR to the modular motors.

[HDmstng]

Are the replacement plugs prone to breakage as well?

[mld54]

I have replaced several of the cam phasers too, I agree, I don't care for the mod motor.

the problem is the design of the plugs and cylinder head, I don't think aftermarket plugs will make any difference

[bangingears]

I have done about 6 of them so far, mainly for the porcelin coming lose from the plug body and causing misfire codes. I am always waiting for one to break off but I have been lucky and take my time working the plug back and forth and they usally come out. I do it with the truck hot and a ton of spray oil.

[PaulFiveOh]

NEVER PUT THEM IN A VAN BUT I WOULD BET THERE IS MORE ROOM ON THE VAN THAN THERE IS ON THE BACK ONES OF A F-150. THIS IS THE MAIN REASON FOR ME NOT BUYING A 04 UP F-150

Ok there Captain Caps Lock. :lol:

[dirtyone55]

about using swivel adapters to take plugs out, not using them you would have to be living in a perfect world because I will say there are a few applications were I will bet that it is near impossible without the swivel. but I have always ised a true spark plug socket also, so that may be why I have had no problems using a swivel

[Goldenpony]

I have used a swivel in the past with no problems. In this case, my 2006 Mustang GT, it isn't necessary, it's a straight shot to the plug. If not for this design problem, you should be able to change all 8 plugs in less than 30 minutes.

[MADMOD]

I've said it time and time again... (and I know I sound like a moron when I say it) I can't stand the modular motor! It is LITERALLY reason enough for me to never buy a newer mustang again. I had a '99 GT that had a hesitation I could not get rid of. I had a brand new 2005 F-150 that had the "cam phaser tick". I recently bought a mach1 and found out it had the "engine tick". I swear, the entire modular motor family is completely worthless in my book. If they put a pushrod motor in a new mustang, I'd be the FIRST person in line at the dealership to order a new one!

People can say "ancient technology" all they want... the LSX family of chevy engines is FAR SUPERIOR to the modular motors.


I am getting close to 200k on my junk mod motor car and have had no probs.

[Sharad]

I never said mod motor cars are junk. You may have misunderstood my comment. I've even heard of 4.6L taxi cabs getting over 400k without a rebuild. That's outstanding! Still doesn't make it a good motor in my book.

[MADMOD]

I never said mod motor cars are junk. You may have misunderstood my comment. I've even heard of 4.6L taxi cabs getting over 400k without a rebuild. That's outstanding! Still doesn't make it a good motor in my book.

400k without a rebuild seems like a pretty good motor to me?

[Sharad]

if you're a taxi cab driver! :D

[mld54]

about using swivel adapters to take plugs out, not using them you would have to be living in a perfect world because I will say there are a few applications were I will bet that it is near impossible without the swivel. but I have always ised a true spark plug socket also, so that may be why I have had no problems using a swivel

it's no problem using a swivel on anything other than the 3 valve motor, but on the 3 valve motors, I don't use any swivel, and it's a pain, you need to remove anything in the way, on the trucks you need to remove the pcm and mounting bracket and must have several different length extensions to get just the right height for the ratchet to clear everything, once you break the plug loose, it takes very little side load to break the porcelain and that is using a 9/16 sparkplug socket designed for the 3 valve motor

[Rustanggt98]

I never said mod motor cars are junk. You may have misunderstood my comment. Still doesn't make it a good motor in my book.

You can make 750hp to the wheels on a stock 03 cobra motor and it has a pretty good chance of living for a while. When you can do that with your beloved 5.0 give me a call. :dunno:

[Sharad]

Who said anything about a beloved 5.0? I sure didn't! If anything you should be commenting on my "beloved" LSX engine.

And about those terminator motors... that 750hp is only until the cooling problem takes out a cylinder head. Or, you could do the recall, twice (like a buddy of mine has) and still have the "tick". LOL!

[cobrajoe]

what about the aluminum mod blocks supporting upwards of 1000hp?

[Yknot]

I love the Modular Motor, I think it's one of Fords best designs !! I havn't had any problems.

[Goldenpony]

Exactly the way I felt until Saturday. 38,000 trouble free miles.

[Greg Seibert]

Custom Socket prevents breakage.


http://www.lockitsocket.com/

[mld54]

Custom Socket prevents breakage.


http://www.lockitsocket.com/

I'm not talking about dropping a spark plug, I'm talking about side load, the socket I'm using is designed for the 3V motor, and the 3V takes a 9/16 socket, I don't see where that company even offers a 9/16 socket

[juiced347]

YOU THINK THAT'S BAD TRY CHANGING THEM IN A F-150. :dunno: THE PURPOSE OF THIS

still have cuts on my hands from doing plugs and wires on my brothers f150 never again will i do it for free:bangwall::drunk:

[Greg Seibert]

I'm not talking about dropping a spark plug, I'm talking about side load, the socket I'm using is designed for the 3V motor, and the 3V takes a 9/16 socket, I don't see where that company even offers a 9/16 socket


Dang, dude. Sorry 'bout that!
Try this one.;)

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=73693&group_ID=19396

[S197GT]

im not trading mine in just because of sparkplugs, why did you even try changing them if they are still good??? why fix something that is still good?? just saying, i would understand changing them if you were supercharging the car.

[05yellowgt]

I've had a few of mine out a couple of times without issue. I know the plug breaking is a fairly common problem though. I have yet to figure out why they needed to change plug design. Paying $10 bucks a plug for stockers sucks arse for sure.

[Goldenpony]

Well, I got my car back. As I said, I had broken 1 plug. Beechmont Ford broke 5 more. Replaced all 8 and used anti-seize. Even though they broke 5, I had to pay for them to remove them. They charged me $153 for 8 spark plugs. The total bill was $611.13; not bad for a spark plug change, huh. The best part, they called me and told me they were going to cover the job under warranty, and when I went to pick it up, they presented me with a bill for $611.13. I plan on sending the president of Beechmont Ford a letter explaining how thrilled I am, along with a nice long letter to Ford Motor Company - like they give a rats a$$. They already have my money.
I wish I had bought the S2000 or the Corvette I was considering instead of this 'Stang.

[Rick93coupe]

Why not just pull the plugs every couple of months and reapply anti seize? I'm not a big fan of the mod motor myself. I'm also with Sharad in the fact that LSX engines kick ass.

[Sharad]

Yeah, of the three, the Corvette would've been SWEET! I don't have a vette because I've got two rugrats! (need a backseat)

[347sc]

Well, I got my car back. As I said, I had broken 1 plug. Beechmont Ford broke 5 more. Replaced all 8 and used anti-seize. Even though they broke 5, I had to pay for them to remove them. They charged me $153 for 8 spark plugs. The total bill was $611.13; not bad for a spark plug change, huh. The best part, they called me and told me they were going to cover the job under warranty, and when I went to pick it up, they presented me with a bill for $611.13. I plan on sending the president of Beechmont Ford a letter explaining how thrilled I am, along with a nice long letter to Ford Motor Company - like they give a rats a$$. They already have my money.
I wish I had bought the S2000 or the Corvette I was considering instead of this 'Stang.


I would have went straight to the person that told you that and bitched!!!! If they said it was going to be covered and didnt call to let you know other wise it is and error on the service writer. Our guys get in deep dodo here.

[KenB]

I've changed alot of these plugs and never have had an issue.

[bobtsgt]

I would have went straight to the person that told you that and bitched!!!! If they said it was going to be covered and didnt call to let you know other wise it is and error on the service writer. Our guys get in deep dodo here.

X2. Try going back and get your money. Its called a warranty for a reason. Give em hell.

[347sc]

The dealer ship can goodwill it. Talk to the Service Manager.