Subject: 



Tue, 23 Aug 2005 15:16:20 -0800
Date:    





My 1999 F-150 with 5.4L Triton and 46,000 mile blow a spark plug out of
the head while traveling at normal highway speed.  From the comments of
several local mechanics and the accumulating internet accounts this
appears to be a very common problem. =20

=20

I paid about $300 for a HeliCoil replacement, which work fine for about
2 months until the engine began to run very rough and lost power in
certain RPM ranges.  The computer diagnostic said that cylinder was
misfiring.  The mechanic was unable to remove the spark plug because the
HeliCoil also stripped out the few aluminum threads.  Current repair
estimate is $3,400 (Alaska prices!) to replace the head.  In my view
this is clearly a product defect and a common one too.   I'm in line for
a class action suit - any takers?

=20

Vance Schwantes