goldenpony

I just pulled the new set of Motorcraft plugs the dealer put in about 2500 miles ago. They had already began build up of carbon on the ground shield, but they did come out easy. The dealer tech obviously hadn't read the TSB because the plug had anti-seize all packed in the threads and didn't appear to have any on the ground shield.
I installed a set of the new Champion #7989 plugs, gapped at .044" and torqued to 25 ft/lbs. So far, the car seems to run great - starts instantly, idles silky smooth and pulls hard in the upper ranges. I can now sleep better knowing the "monster" isn't creeping back up on me again.

hammeron

hopefully your posts are raising
awareness, to this very serious
issue

goldenpony

Thanks. I hope so too. I couldn't believe a couple of responses I got saying this was a "myth" and that I was the only one that they had heard make this complaint.

ronslakie

Anyone who thinks that the broken plugs is a myth hasn't done research on the problem. I have read scores of posts on this problem in various forums and Ford has a TSB out on it, which would never happen if it were not a problem.

mrkabc

I am pushing 50k miles... was thinking of changing out the plugs then. Any speculation as to how badly my OE plugs may be jammed in?

JonCo

My car has jsut shy of 30k and several of them almost broke loss and one actually did inside.

goldenpony

Just to let you all know, Been running the 7989's for a couple of weeks now - probably 4-5 hundred miles, gapped at .044". Can't say a bad word about them. idles great, starts great, pulls hard all the way to red line and am getting good MPG. So much for "Champions don't work in Fords".

cdawg

I did the same Friday night, posted it elsewhere, but I really believe the Champions have better performance than the stock plugs. Plus I put another 40 miles on it today, and I swear it is getting better city mpg. No highway miles yet, so that will be interesting.

Plus like you said, there's the "peace of mind" factor, too.

goldenpony

I think mine are getting better too. I'm sure the throttle response is better.