spitting spark plugs?

[dbohn]

Anybody know when the build date cutoff is when the spark plug spitting 5.4l and v-10 were fixed? I am looking at buying an Expedition and would like to know what date to steer clear of. Also, how do you obtain an "Oasis" report and does it include all of the warranty work done to the vehicle regardless of location of work performed? Thanks in advance.

[fredvon4]

2000 and up V10 are supposed to have the Power Improved Heads (PI)

All Manufactures of motors with aluminum heads have some experience with spark plug blow out. I have blown plugs out of Briggs and Stratton, Nissan, and Harley Davidson motors. Almost 100% of the time it is caused by a too loose (under torqued) or Too tight (over torqued) Plug.

Too loose is always 100% preventable. But unfortunately once a Aluminum heads threads have been over torqued and cracked then a plug blow out is just a matter of time. Never ever over torque a fastener in Aluminum!


The reality is, for the folks who experience this event, it is traumatic, can be expensive, and gets a lot of emotional BS posted about it. Remember these type sites amplify the problems.

Think of it this way, the 4.6L, 5.4L and 6.8L modular series motors all have the exact same type aluminum heads. There are over 3 million of these on the road today for all model years. Of the 3 million, over 600,000 are V10s and that means over 6 million MotorCraft Plugs in 6 million machined plug holes installed by all sorts of folks with or without the proper skills and tools. The fact that a plug or two blows out on a few of these is well within the probability of any other component failing, and not an indicator of a serious problem. MILLIONS of plugs spend more then the 100,000 mile recommended change interval in their assigned hole!

If you want a V10 powered vehicle then get it.

For peace of mind, yourself, or a professional should check each plug, apply a very slight coat of anti seize compound and insert the plug to 168 inch pounds or 14 foot pounds. Then plan on a plug condition and torque check every 30-50 thousand miles.

[BBBxcursion]

It's not a hard repair using time-serts. I have used them on MANY cabs without any problems.-Some have gone 100,000+ miles with no issues.