Spark plug change time.

Slayor · Jun 9, 2016

Spark plug change?

I am new to the group so please bear with the questions. My expedition has 152K on it and is getting 15 MPG. I am getting ready to take it to the west coast from St. Louis this fall and was wondering if I should change the spark plugs? It starts very well and runs great. At 15 miles to the gallon it seems to be running fine. I just want it to be ready.

Also if there is any additional items to check please let me know.

GAINMOB · Jun 10, 2016

If they weren't changed at the 100k maintenance I would...also...buy a case or a few gallon size of Lucas gas treatment...it will increase ur mpg and u will see the increase...I also use their oil treatment as well...engine ran smooth after the 1st use

Mr. 10K

Skauber · Jun 11, 2016

When I did my plugs, I bought the Lisle extractor tool kit just to have it handy. Didn't need it, but I can assure you that Murphy would have broken most my plugs if I did NOT buy that kit and have it handy

steelnewfie · Jun 13, 2016

Agree w Watts re fuel treatment. Lots of carbon buildup on the threads of the head. I've used seafoam and another brand with Poly ethel esters or whatever those new fangled cleaning agents are. Do it before and after your plug change. Make sure you clean the head threads with a wire brush. Use motorcraft plugs and coils if you replace those as well. At minimum do the boots/spring in each coil.

Gumbyalso · Jun 27, 2016

Spark plug change on 2011 Expedition

I just changed the plugs on my 2011 Expedition yesterday at 105K - which is the change interval in the owners manual. I used the original equipment Motorcraft SP-509s. Changing plugs on a 2011 is not the nightmare you read about on some of the other years. The 2011 has single piece plugs and you don't have to remove anything but the COPs themselves to get at them. There is literally nothing in the way of the COPs - not even the air intake ducts. The plugs came out easily and I didn't use any chemicals to loosen them. I have the Ford shop manual. It calls for 106 in/lbs on the plugs. I didn't use-seize because it seems unnecessary with single piece plugs and only 106 in/lb. I only used a little dialectic grease on the COP boot per the shop manual. I would have been done fairly quickly but I noticed a misfire when I was done. Code reader told me it was #8 cylinder. I pulled the plug and saw that it had a hairline crack. Another trip to the parts store for a replacement plug and I was good to go. It was actually easier to change these plugs than it is on my engines with coil packs. You can reach all of them. I recommend you do blow out the plug holes before removing the plugs. There is likely to be a lot of dirt and sand in there. I also have a 2000 Expedition with 277K I've had since new. I have paid the dealer to change those plugs twice now. I provide the plugs. There is just too much in the way of those COPs on the 2000, like the fuel rails. I still have the original COPs on the 2000. Not sure why you would change them if you don't have an indication of a problem.

cypher0807 · Jul 20, 2016

Gumbyalso said:
Spark plug change on 2011 Expedition

I just changed the plugs on my 2011 Expedition yesterday at 105K - which is the change interval in the owners manual. I used the original equipment Motorcraft SP-509s. Changing plugs on a 2011 is not the nightmare you read about on some of the other years. The 2011 has single piece plugs and you don't have to remove anything but the COPs themselves to get at them. There is literally nothing in the way of the COPs - not even the air intake ducts. The plugs came out easily and I didn't use any chemicals to loosen them. I have the Ford shop manual. It calls for 106 in/lbs on the plugs. I didn't use-seize because it seems unnecessary with single piece plugs and only 106 in/lb. I only used a little dialectic grease on the COP boot per the shop manual. I would have been done fairly quickly but I noticed a misfire when I was done. Code reader told me it was #8 cylinder. I pulled the plug and saw that it had a hairline crack. Another trip to the parts store for a replacement plug and I was good to go. It was actually easier to change these plugs than it is on my engines with coil packs. You can reach all of them. I recommend you do blow out the plug holes before removing the plugs. There is likely to be a lot of dirt and sand in there. I also have a 2000 Expedition with 277K I've had since new. I have paid the dealer to change those plugs twice now. I provide the plugs. There is just too much in the way of those COPs on the 2000, like the fuel rails. I still have the original COPs on the 2000. Not sure why you would change them if you don't have an indication of a problem.

Good to know! I have a 2001 with 213k and I have changed the plugs and COP's twice (100k interval). I just purchased a 2011 and that was the first thing I looked for in the spark plug placement!

ManUpOrShutUp · Jul 20, 2016

Gumbyalso said:
Spark plug change on 2011 Expedition

I just changed the plugs on my 2011 Expedition yesterday at 105K - which is the change interval in the owners manual. I used the original equipment Motorcraft SP-509s. Changing plugs on a 2011 is not the nightmare you read about on some of the other years. The 2011 has single piece plugs and you don't have to remove anything but the COPs themselves to get at them. There is literally nothing in the way of the COPs - not even the air intake ducts. The plugs came out easily and I didn't use any chemicals to loosen them. I have the Ford shop manual. It calls for 106 in/lbs on the plugs. I didn't use-seize because it seems unnecessary with single piece plugs and only 106 in/lb. I only used a little dialectic grease on the COP boot per the shop manual. I would have been done fairly quickly but I noticed a misfire when I was done. Code reader told me it was #8 cylinder. I pulled the plug and saw that it had a hairline crack. Another trip to the parts store for a replacement plug and I was good to go. It was actually easier to change these plugs than it is on my engines with coil packs. You can reach all of them. I recommend you do blow out the plug holes before removing the plugs. There is likely to be a lot of dirt and sand in there. I also have a 2000 Expedition with 277K I've had since new. I have paid the dealer to change those plugs twice now. I provide the plugs. There is just too much in the way of those COPs on the 2000, like the fuel rails. I still have the original COPs on the 2000. Not sure why you would change them if you don't have an indication of a problem.

I found the plugs to be a fairly easy job on my '11 as well. It was a little tough to reach a couple plugs, but manageable. All plugs came out without the use of any solvents. A couple of them required significant force to remove as the threads had rusted on the plugs, but none broke. And I agree 110% about the COPs. There is no reason to change them if there is nothing actually wrong with them.

Spark plug change time.

Slayor

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