Spark Plugs

[GEORGETOWN]

I called the local Ford Dealer and asked them how much to change my spark plugs and they told me $340.00 for labor,plus an additional $25.00 per spark plug and if one breaks it is $85.00 and if two or more break then it will be $170.00. So I was looking at a possible $700.00 to change out some spark plugs. So I was sitting home tonight and just decided, F*ck it!! I can do these without them breaking! I went outside popped the hood and removed the coils (that was a B*tch!!!) then after I removed the coils I sprayed some WD40 on each spark plug an slowly but surley got all 8 out without breaking any and saving $340.00 on labor! Now first thing tomorrow I got to buy some plugs and coils! lol I just decided to do the job without the parts!! lol
Weird thing though, I few of the plugs had metal shavings on them when I removed them.

Attached is the pic of the plugs I just took out. The gap on the plugs were pretty big!

 

[DF5.4]

That's weird. Those aren't the extended reach plugs that break. What year is your truck and what engine is in it?

 

[ZombieSoldier]

Yeah those weren't the extended reach plugs that are supposed to be in tgere.. Weird. Here is the OEM plug... This is why they are $27.00 each

 

[tallsville]

just changed out my plugs and cops less than a month ago. i dont remember them being extended reach. but mine is an 03 so they may need different plugs.

these are what i bought they seem to be working so far

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12079212173...NX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_500wt_1361

and this is where i checked to see what parts numbers needed.

http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/CatalogResults.aspx?y=2003&m=Ford&mo=Expedition#Search

 

[ZombieSoldier]

Hmmm I'm gonna order some up. I only did the number 8 while I was on my trip due to necessity but want to replace them all

 

[GEORGETOWN]

My truck is an 03 with a 5.4 and I see Tallsville has the same year so maybe the 03 had different spark plugs. Definetly something to go to the ford dealship and double check!

 

[ZombieSoldier]

Very good point. This answer would be great for clarification. Maybe the plugs I have are for the 3valve motors only

 

[GEORGETOWN]

Heres what fords website shows as the OEM spark plug


http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/P...rch=true&year=2003&make=Ford&model=Expedition

 

[ZombieSoldier]

Hmmmm interesting.. So 2005 was the first year for my style plug according to that site.. Must be because of the 3valve heads

 

[GEORGETOWN]

I my ego was going good because I was feeling all proud that I didnt break my spark plugs then come to find out mine arent the ones that break!! lol

 

[ChrisJ]

Hmmmm interesting.. So 2005 was the first year for my style plug according to that site.. Must be because of the 3valve heads

Yes 3V's take the long plug...The 2v uses the typical NGK copper style plugs...Same thing for the mustangs...The 2V's are notorious for pulling the threads out with them...Thats why some people do a plug change with the engine warm in the 2V's...Anti-seeze is your friend with these modulars...

 

[GEORGETOWN]

Yes 3V's take the long plug...The 2v uses the typical NGK copper style plugs...Same thing for the mustangs...The 2V's are notorious for pulling the threads out with them...Thats why some people do a plug change with the engine warm in the 2V's...Anti-seeze is your friend with these modulars...

This is good to know but now that explains why it felt like sand was on the threads as I was unscrewing them from the head and you can see stuff on the threads of the spark plugs in the pic also

 

[ChrisJ]

You put anti-seeze on the plug threads right?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[GEORGETOWN]

You put anti-seeze on the plug threads right?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

I havent put the new plugs in yet.

 

[ChrisJ]

Anti-seeze on every spark plug then!

Posted From A Cave In MD...

 

[2000eb]

do NOT use anti seize use motorcraft plugs and tq to spec. anti seize gives you an innacurate tq. plus these plugs have a way of working themselves out. use the motorcraft plugs they have aluminum threads for your aluminum head. if not tourqed properly you will have problems, too tight you break threads too loose and spark plug comes loose and combustion causes it to rip out threads on the 2v motor go by the book. its amazing everyone goin by "the book" and not "their" own personal preference is having no problems

 

[ELVATO]

Heh, just changed mine out this past Friday. Replaced them with Motorcrafts, against my friend's recommendation of getting NGKs. The passenger side was more of a pain than the driver's side. All those coolant and AC hoses get in the way, though removing the PCM really makes getting the last one rather easy.

The ones that came out didn't seem that bad off. I don't think any of them had a gap greater than 0.60.

 

[ChrisJ]

do NOT use anti seize use motorcraft plugs and tq to spec. anti seize gives you an innacurate tq. plus these plugs have a way of working themselves out. use the motorcraft plugs they have aluminum threads for your aluminum head. if not tourqed properly you will have problems, too tight you break threads too loose and spark plug comes loose and combustion causes it to rip out threads on the 2v motor go by the book. its amazing everyone goin by "the book" and not "their" own personal preference is having no problems

I ran ngk tr6's in my mustang and many other vehicles for well over 8 years making 200rwhp to 700rwhp and used anti-sieze on every single plug with 0 issues...never had threads come out or a plug blow out...now those that used motocraft plugs with no antisieze is a different story as I made money heli-ing the threads and removing stuck plugs...

The reason you use anti-sieze on a non aluminum coated plug is due to difference in the metals heating a cooling cycles...with the motorcrafts no anti-sieze is needed as the metals are like and will expand and contract the same...with unlike metals you need the anti-sieze because the heating and cooling of 2 different metals can cause the threads to bind and then cause you to pull threads out with the plugs...

The book also says to only run BP gas..."the book" isn't always right...also a plug should never be torqued period that's what causes plugs to bind and porcelains to break...should be snug and no tighter...

Posted From A Cave In MD...

 

[GEORGETOWN]

Oh well changed the plugs and fuel filter and coils. Then Expy started running funny. Put computer on it and it said it was running lean. After some checking around I just decided to remove the new coils and put the old coils back on (Thank go I didnt throw them away!) . . . and its running fine now! Damn coil pack from Ebay!! Now I have to try to get my money back from these people but at least I made sure I got it from someone local that was selling on ebay!

 

[GEORGETOWN]

Oh and by the way . . . . After got the expy running good again I noticed there was a coolant leak under the intake manifold!!!!
Looks like I got another project on my hands!

I am still trying to find time to build my own stealth sub woofer in the rear drivers side cargo area! One day . . . One day I will have the time for that one!