Water in spark plug well

[2021Ranger]

Has anyone removed the spark plugs with low mileage and put anti-seize on them and reinstalled them? Seems like a good idea.

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[Ace]

Hello! This is my first entry. I’m not a troll or puppet. Just hoping to gain knowledge & friendly advice from fellow Ranger owners. Been a loyal Ford owner twenty plus years - 5 Explorers, 2 Edges, an F-150 & now a beautiful ‘19 Ranger, less than three years old with under 43k mi. Five weeks ago today, while running errands she developed a misfire and CEL. Being close to my local dealership, I promptly pulled in and left her. S/A called the next business day and told me of a TSB related to water in spark plug well. Diagnostic service, replacement plugs, engine cover & associated labor (none of which are covered by warranty) would be over $1k. I reluctantly agreed, logged on here and began reading similar stories from others.
While attempting to remove spark plugs, one was broken off. Now a cylinder head replacement to the tune of $6k is required. I’ve called Ford Customer Relations, been assigned case numbers asked for escalations. Supervisors tell me this repair is not warrantied. I believe Ford should be responsible for the total cost of repairs.
I visited the dealership yesterday to get an update & learned a camshaft was inadvertently snapped & that part “will be eaten by Ford.” The repair is suppose to be complete Monday. Meanwhile, I hope to hear from a CR mgr between now & then.
I’d really like to drive away a happy customer.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Did they mention which spark plug well had the water/rust build up? Curious as to which spark plug well the water was getting into.

 

[Gizmokid2005]

I'm currently in the tail-end of dealing with the same thing. This *IS* a warranty repair, the TSB even says so, and it's being covered under my ESP, it absolutely should be covered under the factory powertrain warranty. https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/the-dreaded-water-in-spark-plugs-tsb-21-2147.26760/

You might have be noisy about it, but it shouldn't be out of pocket.

 

[Redwinemaker]

Hello! This is my first entry. I’m not a troll or puppet. Just hoping to gain knowledge & friendly advice from fellow Ranger owners. Been a loyal Ford owner twenty plus years - 5 Explorers, 2 Edges, an F-150 & now a beautiful ‘19 Ranger, less than three years old with under 43k mi. Five weeks ago today, while running errands she developed a misfire and CEL. Being close to my local dealership, I promptly pulled in and left her. S/A called the next business day and told me of a TSB related to water in spark plug well. Diagnostic service, replacement plugs, engine cover & associated labor (none of which are covered by warranty) would be over $1k. I reluctantly agreed, logged on here and began reading similar stories from others.
While attempting to remove spark plugs, one was broken off. Now a cylinder head replacement to the tune of $6k is required. I’ve called Ford Customer Relations, been assigned case numbers asked for escalations. Supervisors tell me this repair is not warrantied. I believe Ford should be responsible for the total cost of repairs.
I visited the dealership yesterday to get an update & learned a camshaft was inadvertently snapped & that part “will be eaten by Ford.” The repair is suppose to be complete Monday. Meanwhile, I hope to hear from a CR mgr between now & then.
I’d really like to drive away a happy customer.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

I'm sorry, they did cover most of my head replacement, also check the posts and seal up the 2 piece cowling above the head to divert rain water. 43K and held together with duct tape.

 

[McDad]

That should be covered under warranty for sure. I hope Ford Customer Relations comes thru for you - the way you are being treated is not right.

I'm sorry to hear about the issues you've been experiencing with your Ford Ranger and the frustration you've encountered with the repair process. Dealing with unexpected and costly repairs can be challenging, especially when you believe the issue may have been related to a manufacturing or design fault.

That should be covered under warranty for sure. I hope Ford Customer Relations comes thru for you - the way you are being treated is not right.

I

That should be covered under warranty for sure. I hope Ford Customer Relations comes thru for you - the way you are being treated is not right.

 

[McDad]

I'm currently in the tail-end of dealing with the same thing. This *IS* a warranty repair, the TSB even says so, and it's being covered under my ESP, it absolutely should be covered under the factory powertrain warranty. https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/the-dreaded-water-in-spark-plugs-tsb-21-2147.26760/

You might have be noisy about it, but it shouldn't be out of pocket.

 

[McDad]

Yeah, I was told today that the TSB did not include my VIN. So I’m on the hook for an engine cover. But the spark plug gets broken and I’m responsible for the cylinder head replacement cost - the result of tech’s screw up. OH, and by the way, a cam shaft was snapped, Ford’s gonna eat that. Gotcha covered on that!

 

[Gizmokid2005]

Yeah, I was told today that the TSB did not include my VIN. So I’m on the hook for an engine cover. But the spark plug gets broken and I’m responsible for the cylinder head replacement cost - the result of tech’s fuck up. OH, and by the way, a cam shaft iwas snapped, Ford’s gonna eat that. Gotcha coverted on that!

That still sounds like hogwash to me. It wasn't even VIN specific, just any vehicle without an engine cover, exhibiting these physical symptoms and code(s). I'm still big on the you should fight them to cover it. Mine was going to be $750 (because the cover is $250 through them vs $175 from Levittown ford, plus labor, etc)...

 

[Bsthroop]

Has anyone removed the spark plugs with low mileage and put anti-seize on them and reinstalled them? Seems like a good idea.

I did replace my plugs at 20k specifically for this reason. No water or damage but they now have anti-seize on them. Mine is a 19 so has a cover and is always garaged.

 

[McDad]

Did they mention which spark plug well had the water/rust build up? Curious as to which spark plug well the water was getting into.

Upon removal of number 1 spark plug the spark plug broke off into cylinder head. Heavily corroded plug is unable to be removed.

 

[McDad]

Did they mention which spark plug well had the water/rust build up? Curious as to which spark plug well the water was getting into.

#1 spark plug broke off in cylinder head

 

[Saucy]

For those of us that don't have this issue, is it good preventative measure to just buy the engine cover and install it for peace of mind?

 

[DRVMN]

I purchased the engine cover shortly after purchasing my 2021 XLT. I thought it looked cool, and am now glad I made the purchase for the whole spark plug issue.

What is the torque specs on the Ranger plugs? Is anti-seize recommended? I used anti-seize on my son's 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, and the plugs would loosen up - even when torqued to specs. It is an issue with the 1.4 L engine. It was recommended to not use anti-seize.

Thank You for any information shared!

 

[Gizmokid2005]

I purchased the engine cover shortly after purchasing my 2021 XLT. I thought it looked cool, and am now glad I made the purchase for the whole spark plug issue.

What is the torque specs on the Ranger plugs? Is anti-seize recommended? I used anti-seize on my son's 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, and the plugs would loosen up - even when torqued to specs. It is an issue with the 1.4 L engine. It was recommended to not use anti-seize.

Thank You for any information shared!

You should never use anti-seize, it changes the way torque is applied, and as you noted, causes things to loosen even when torqued to spec.

Official spec is 12ft-lb. 10-15 is acceptable generally.

 

[deleriumtremor]

The engine cover doesn't cover the #4 plug well closest to the firewall. The cowling above that plug/coil pack has a clip right above the plug and water that is running off that cowling runs right through the clip and down into the number 4 plug well (with the stock engine cover on), this water can come from something as simple as the car wash.

Beyond that problem, which the cover doesn't address, I have a hard time understanding how any of the other plug wells get water in them, cover or no cover. Unless you have a snorkel that is actually doing something when you commute across that river.

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