9.3
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$1,623.00
Average Mileage:
103,333 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints
Most common solutions:
- kit to tap the sparkplug hole and put in a SLEEVE (1 reports)
- new cylinder head (1 reports)
- not sure (1 reports)
engine problem
Helpful Websites About 1998 Ford Expedition spark plug blew out of head, ruined head, etc
2008Sep 10
Expedition XLT 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 117,000 miles
I was driving home from dinner and heard this loud Pop noise, pulled over thought it was a flat tire or maybe a belt. After talking to a mechanic they thought it was the head or a rod. Once I had it towed to the mechanic shop, they saw that 2 spark plugs had blow out still attached to the wires. They looked a little longer and noticed that there were no threads left. I started doing research online and found that since Ford uses aluminum heads and only 3 threads, this is a VERY COMMON problem. I was given these options- buy a new engine. Buy a new head. Tow the vehicle to Santa Ynez to sparkplugblowout.com guys, and have it re-machined. all of these were going to cost me between $1400-$3000. I was later told that if you hear a ticking noise- dont ignore it. I did fail to mention that the truck was at the shop less than a year prior and had the plugs replaced, so this happened quickly. I have had problems with the no. 3 plug fowling with oil- check engine light came on, and Ford told me to replace the engine at $9000. I took it to a mechanic friend of mine- it was a sensor gone bad...go figure.
We decided to pull the head and have it machined, this was the most reasonable and inexpensive solution. BTW- Ford will not do a recall unless they have a certain amount of people complain. You can go to safercar.gov and report this problem, then maybe ford will admit that there is an issue....
2006May 10
(reported on)Expedition XLT
- 78,000 miles
Had vehicle serviced and checked out by at least 3 different mechanics whom put on new tires, flushed/checked auto transmission, flushed/checked cooling system/hoses and overall condition of this vehicle to prepare it for the 2800 mile journey I was going to and did take trailering a 4000 pound travel trailer. I put my trust in a Ford truck because I have heard they are superior for the need I had for it. In the past I had always had GM trucks. This was my first ford. About 600 miles from the end of my family's vacation the engine broke down, leaving us stranded on the interstate along with the travel trailer(25') that we had been towing all along. You can imagine the nightmare. Ultimately this breakdown cost my family 5000 plus when you count rental vehicle, gas and return 600 miles from my home to pick up the now repaired vehicle. I have since heard others have had this very same engine problem including the dealership who made this same repair the week before on an F150 pick up with the same 5.4L Triton engine I have in my Expedition.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Nov 10
Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L Triton
Seems like this is a continuing problem, Ford doesn't want to man up for! Maybe they should have scrapped the aluminum heads after '97 ? There has to be a way to be a way to make someone accountable for this problem. The auto chains sell a kit to tap the sparkplug hole and put in a SLEEVE. I tapped two spark plug holes out and sleeved them, they have been fine since. If you can access the plug, I did this without removing the head. Next time, I may not be able to access the plug, and then I'll pay through the nose!
Bruno B.
Plainfield, IL, USA
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