Embarassed, but here goes...sparkplug

[Guest]

I am embarassed, since I have worked on cars most of my life and always found the spark plugs. But for the life of me I can not find the pulgs on our 97 Expedition.

Can some help me with this one... point me at where they are or how to recognize them (I know a plug look likes), and how to get at it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
ByDBay

 

[Guest]

try following the cables from what was once called a distributor and now dosnt look like one

 

[Guest]

They are NOT around the exhaust manifolds like OHV engines. Look around the area between the intake manifold and valve covers.

 

[Guest]

I had the same issue.
Actually I took the car to the mechanic to replace the sparkplugs (regular procedure at 100000mi).
He did not work on Expy' before so he estimated about 1 hr.
After he opened the hood, and found the plugs he had some pretty bad things to say about FORD (he drives a BMW 7) and the way they designed and placed this particulaer engine.
Anyway, looks like it will take over 3 hrs. to change them.
Maybe somebody on this forum knows some tricks on how the plugs can be changed without disconnecting tonns of wires/hoses and crawling inside the engine's guts.

 

[Guest]

Actually they are pretty easy to change if you have the tools. It is just a time consuming project. You don't have to disconnect anything but the coil pack. The release clip is on the bottom side of the plug. Just squeaze and pull it off. If the fuel injector plug is in the way of the coil pack bolt just spin it out of the way. I disconnected mine just for ease. Snap on sells a socket just for the removal the plugs. It cost 50 bucks not sure what the part number it is I will check with my dad he has one. I just used extensions. The one tool that will make it easier is a swiveled socket not a socket and swivel but a swivel socket. 8mm if I remember right might be 10mm. The number 7 plug is the hardest and it is right under the fuel rail and without a swivel socket it is almost impossilbe to get the coil pack bolt tight. It took me a little over two hours the first time I did mine. But there was no way I was gonna pay ford price of 250 bucks. Just take your time and remember when you tighten them down that they have only 3 threads keeping them in (I beleive that is on all models except for the 03's). so be careful you don't over tighten them. Next time I do mine which will be in a week or two I will take pictures and post them.