lharrell79
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2016
- Posts
- 453
- Reaction score
- 238
- Ram Year
- 2008
- Engine
- 4.7
2008 1500 4.7.
So, even after reading all the horror stories, I decided I would try to tackle the top plugs on my 4.7. My truck only has 44500 miles (I don't drive it much), but is 9 years old. I'm the original owner, and the plugs are all original. I ordered 8 Bosch replacement plugs, and decided I would give it a go today.
I started with the first plug on the driver's side. The coil pack popped right off with no issues (that was a relief). Next, I inserted my thin walled 5/8" plug socket and began to back the plug out. It was very, very stiff. I made it about 2 full turns before I stopped. I've snapped off plenty of bolts before, and this is exactly what it felt like. I used some penetrating oil, and gave it a good squirt, then let it sit for a couple of hours.
I came back out and tried again. And again, it was very stiff. I went half turn out, half turn in, half turn out, etc. I was making progress, but it really felt like it was stripping threads, or about to break, and I was only about half way out. At this point, I took a step back. I decided to try the second plug, to see if it was the same. I pulled the second coil pack and the boot was 100% orange. It was covered with rust powder. I looked down in the plug hole, and the plug was completely orange with rust. Grrrrrrrrr.
I decided to put everything back and pray that I didn't do any damage. I put the second coil back and buttoned it up. Next I went back to plug number 1. I started tightening it back down, and it was equally as hard. By tightening, loosening, tightening, loosening, etc, I was able to get it fully seated, or so I think. I put the air hat back on, and the intake hose, and buttoned everything back up. Cranked her up, and she started as normal. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary.
So here's the dilemma:
A. Should I try again, when I have more time and patience, and lots of penetrating oil?
B. Should I forget about the plugs, and just drive the truck as is? It runs great, and I only put about 5000 miles on it per year, and will probably keep it for another 4-10 years.
C. Should I take it to the dealer and pay them to change the plugs?
D. Other ideas?
So, even after reading all the horror stories, I decided I would try to tackle the top plugs on my 4.7. My truck only has 44500 miles (I don't drive it much), but is 9 years old. I'm the original owner, and the plugs are all original. I ordered 8 Bosch replacement plugs, and decided I would give it a go today.
I started with the first plug on the driver's side. The coil pack popped right off with no issues (that was a relief). Next, I inserted my thin walled 5/8" plug socket and began to back the plug out. It was very, very stiff. I made it about 2 full turns before I stopped. I've snapped off plenty of bolts before, and this is exactly what it felt like. I used some penetrating oil, and gave it a good squirt, then let it sit for a couple of hours.
I came back out and tried again. And again, it was very stiff. I went half turn out, half turn in, half turn out, etc. I was making progress, but it really felt like it was stripping threads, or about to break, and I was only about half way out. At this point, I took a step back. I decided to try the second plug, to see if it was the same. I pulled the second coil pack and the boot was 100% orange. It was covered with rust powder. I looked down in the plug hole, and the plug was completely orange with rust. Grrrrrrrrr.
I decided to put everything back and pray that I didn't do any damage. I put the second coil back and buttoned it up. Next I went back to plug number 1. I started tightening it back down, and it was equally as hard. By tightening, loosening, tightening, loosening, etc, I was able to get it fully seated, or so I think. I put the air hat back on, and the intake hose, and buttoned everything back up. Cranked her up, and she started as normal. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary.
So here's the dilemma:
A. Should I try again, when I have more time and patience, and lots of penetrating oil?
B. Should I forget about the plugs, and just drive the truck as is? It runs great, and I only put about 5000 miles on it per year, and will probably keep it for another 4-10 years.
C. Should I take it to the dealer and pay them to change the plugs?
D. Other ideas?