plugs on a newer explorer

bugsiegel

bugsiegel

Senior Member
I have a Sportrac that I need to change the plugs on. It appears that I have the dreaded easy to break plugs in my 2007 Sportrac. This is a common problem with the three valve Ford engines.
I have seen more than one video on people using impact guns to remove plugs from these engines.
I know there are other ways of soaking and brake cleaner, carb cleaner to attempt to loosen the plugs but has anyone in here used the impact method?
Does it really work?
what pressure did you have the gun/compressor set at?
 
I've broken my share of plugs off in that engine and I've also sucessfully removed more than my share. IMO there seems to be no rhyme or reason which ones break or which ones come out. I've tried all the methods. Impacts, soaking them, decarbon it beforehand & taking them out stone cold or hot. Seems like if its gonna break, it breaks. The method that worked the best for me is to take a 1/2in breaker bar and give it small "jolts" (for lack of a better word) untill you "feel or hear" it break loose. Of course it may just break right off, but like I said there seems to be no rhyme or reason. If it does break loose, now is the time to soak it and "rock" the plug back & forth until it comes out. On the plus side the tools they sell now to remove broken plugs work a whole lot better than the 1st ones. I think NAPA sells a good one.
I know they changed the plug design in later years but dont recall when. I've been retired a few years and thats one job I dont miss. Good luck.
 
I noticed he picked an easy one (#1). Why didnt he try #4 or 8? That video would been alot longer than 12 mins.
 
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