Mustang 4.6L spark plug change

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by MNgopher
The 4.6 3V got the same setup as the 5.4, so the 2006 and 2007 Explorers got the bad plugs.


I've had 3 F150 4.6L's from 2004 to 2008 and they all had conventional plugs like I showed. Plus Crown Vics and Town Cars. Did Explorers have a different design?

 

[MNgopher]

Were they 2v or 3v 4.6 engines?

The 3v 4.6 and 5 4 were the ones with these plugs. Explorers got the 3v starting in '06.

 

[1978elcamino]

That looks like a large gap, probably a good idea to change them.

 

[atikovi]

That might be it.

 

[ZX11Rebel]

 

[ZX11Rebel]

These are the "two" part plugs that caused all the problems. Removed these from my 2007 Mustang GT at 40,000 miles. Replaced with Champion 7989.

 

[PontiacHO]

Worn gaps burn up coil packs.

 

[qdeezie]

For what it's worth, I use a "back and forth" method to change out 2 piece spark plugs. It is tedious, but I have not broken any so far using this method.

"Back and forth" defined as loosen a little bit, then tighten, loosen a bit more, then tighten. I keep repeating this until the plugs come out. I got this technique off Autolite's site awhile back and tried it and it worked for me.

Also, I use an oil galley brush and carb cleaner to clean out the threads prior to putting in the new plugs.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by MNgopher
The 4.6 3V got the same setup as the 5.4, so the 2006 and 2007 Explorers got the bad plugs.


I've had 3 F150 4.6L's from 2004 to 2008 and they all had conventional plugs like I showed. Plus Crown Vics and Town Cars. Did Explorers have a different design?


They were all 2V motors you had then. Ford did offer the 4.6L 3V in the F-150 in I believe 2008-2010 alongside the 2V 4.6L which replaced the 4.2L V6.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted by Kira
OMG Those have been anti-seized! The Anti Anti-Seize League will come knockin' at your door.

It's only NGK that says it that emphatically

Denso also discourages anti-seize, but they're not as knockin' on your door about it as NGK is

Almost every Motorcraft is Autolite

Originally Posted by MNgopher
Thought this was going to be a complaint session about the older plugs like on my '07 Explorer with the 3V 4.6. Did those this weekend and broke 3 of them. Already had the lisle tool handy and extracted what was left of them no problem.

Nice picture

Too bad NGK doesn't make anything for those 3V Fords

It would be nice if NGK, Denso, or Bosch made iridium for it because they actually know how to make spark plugs

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog

Almost every Motorcraft is Autolite



Not in the last few years.....Most are NGK now. There was a rash of cracked plugs on the 3.5L Ecoboost & everyone of them was FoMoCo branded NGK's.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted by clinebarger
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog

Almost every Motorcraft is Autolite



Not in the last few years.....Most are NGK now. There was a rash of cracked plugs on the 3.5L Ecoboost & everyone of them was FoMoCo branded NGK's.


Yup, most of the new ones are NGK. The 2 piece plugs were an Autolite thing,

 

[wtd]

I think that the newer part # Motorcraft plug for the 3 valve 2007 4.6L is still a two piece design.