Spark plugs are one of the most critical components inside your engine that need to be maintained. There’s a good chance you will need to replace your set of spark plugs several times during your ownership of a 2009 Ford F-550 Super Duty. Spark plugs are one of the most vital parts inside your engine as they trigger the entire combustion process that starts and keeps your engine running for many thousands of miles. Similar to most engine parts and components, spark plugs experience wear over time and eventually need replacement, but fortunately this is a repair you can do on your own. Odds are, if you’ve found yourself here, you have no idea how to do that, or maybe you’d just like to know what kind of spark plugs you need to buy. The entire process of changing your spark plugs should take roughly 20-45 minutes. This article will go over everything you will need to know about your Ford F-550 Super Duty’s spark plugs, whether you need some baseline information or a full, step-by-step guide to performing a spark plug change.
Correct spark plugs on a 2009 Ford F-550 Super Duty
CHAMPION 7406[/caption]For any 2009 Ford F-550 Super Duty, you can use CHAMPION 7406 spark plugs. These will be an exact fit and will match the required specifications of your engine. As this 2009 Ford F-550 Super Duty features a 10 cylinder engine, ensure you purchase 10 spark plugs. We always try to recommend the best possible spark plugs for the money, and these spark plugs are either a factory recomendation or an equivalent replacement available in today’s market at an affordable price.
How often should I change my spark plugs?
Very generally, it is advised that you replace spark plugs once every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Of course, please make sure to check your owner’s manual to determine the specific interval determined by Ford for the 2009 F-550 Super Duty. Of course, if you drive your vehicle more aggressively or own a F-550 Super Duty with some modifications, you may want to consider changing your spark plugs closer to the 20,000 miles end of that spectrum.
However, there are also telltale signs of a car that needs a spark plug replacement prematurely, such as:
- Engine misfiring
- Rough idle
- Problems starting your engine
Consider that this list is certainly not comprehensive, and these problems on their own do not definitively point to the spark plugs being the standalone culprit. However, the best way to prevent any issues with your vehicle is to take care of it with regular maintenance, and you are definitely doing so with the responsible decision to replace your Ford F-550 Super Duty’s spark plugs on a regular basis.
Changing spark plugs on a 2009 Ford F-550 Super Duty
This is a process you should be able to do on your own with some standard garage tools. Of course, consult your owner’s manual, as well as a factory service manual or an equivalent Haynes or Chiltons manual. The video shown below does a good job of outlining the process.
Helpful Tools
As noted before, you should be able to accomplish a spark plug change with some regular tools you likely already have. However, there are a few tools that are specific to this job that you may not have, and we also want to recommend some general tools that you should definitely have in your toolbox if you do not already.
- A spark plug gap tool. This allows you to check the gap of your spark plugs and modify it if necessary. Most plugs will come pregapped, but if not, you should absolutely have one of these.
- I also highly recommend you have a feeler gauge as it makes it a bit easier to check the exact gap, and it is helpful for quite a few other jobs.
- A set of spark plug sockets – These come in extremely handy because many standard sockets are not deep enough for spark plugs. Additionally, some spark plug holes are a bit smaller, so it requires a thinner wall like the one featured in the product here to fit. The linked product also features a magnet to keep a good hold of the spark plug so you do not drop it into your engine bay!
- A spark plug tester – this is definitely a niche tool, but it can save you lots of time. Although we’ve discussed spark plug replacement being a good thing to replace regularly and not just when issues occur, you may also be replacing your spark plugs because of a problem. This tool can help you diagnose the exact problem.
- A torque wrench is a vital tool to have in your arsenal. You should check your factory service manual to determine the correct torque rating to use when putting in the new spark plugs for your 2009 Ford F-550 Super Duty to be confident they are installed properly.
Tips for changing spark plugs on your 2009 Ford F-550 Super Duty
Ensure you reference the video above before you attempt to repair the spark plugs on your 2009 Ford F-550 Super Duty, as well as review your FSM (factory service manual) or owner’s manual. Be sure to check the tips shown here to help you as you do this repair.
- It’s not a bad idea to use dielectric grease when installing new spark plugs. You can apply a a small dab to the inside of the boot and the ceramic part of your spark plugs. It lessens the chance of voltage leak and helps avoid the misfortune of the boot fusing to the spark plug over time.
- One of the most important things to remember is to avoid overtightening the plugs or worse, cracking them due to overtightenting. Use a torque wrench capable of lower, more precise torque ratings to be sure that you don’t make this mistake.
- Before you begin, remove the negative terminal of your battery. You should always disconnect the battery anytime you work on the electrical system of your Ford F-550 Super Duty or any other vehicle.
- Note that this is not official advice as many spark plug manufacturers advise against the use of anti-seize. However, I have heard from numerous old-school mechanics that they always apply a light coating of anti-seize to the threads of their spark plugs, especially on older vehicles.
- Your engine should be completely cold before you replace your spark plugs. You should wait at least 30 minutes after any kind of operation before attempting to replace the spark plugs on your 2009 Ford F-550 Super Duty