Duratec spitting #3 spark plug?

[stmitch]

Driving the 01 home last night and it suddenly started to sputter pretty badly. Pulled over and found #3 plug sitting in the valve cover. The plugs are about a year old, and the threads don't appear to be damaged. It tightened back in normally, and I drove it home.

The same thing happened about a month ago as well, and I just chalked it up to a random occurrence due to engine vibration, but twice in less than 2 months has me looking for a fix.

I haven't had a chance to really investigate yet, but has this happened to anybody else? I'd like to avoid doing a helicoil or something if I can. Google didn't turn up much. Thoughts? Ideas?

 

[RonD]

It happens, never read about it on the Duratec but some Ford engines are prone to it.

What brand is the spark plug?
I doubt this would matter but..............

In any case do not over tighten spark plugs in aluminum heads, you will strip out the threads in the head.

 

[adsm08]

I've seen many 2V Tritons do that, but never a Duratech. If that was me I'd probably helicoil that bastard just because it did it twice.

 

[hoosier1104]

I am with adsm on this one. Once is a random occurrence, twice is time to upgrade.

 

[stmitch]

That's kind of what I figured, but I thought I'd check around to see if anybody had any bright ideas that might save me a little time and work.

 

[veefer800canuck]

Inspect the spark plug threads in the head with a borescope. Then go from there.

 

[hoosier1104]

Upgrade

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