OEM Motorcraft plugs at 85K miles (with pics)

[01rangerxl]

I decided to change the spark plugs on my truck today. It wasn't running bad or anything, I just felt like doing it. The truck has roughly 85K miles on it and the plugs were the original ones.

They didn't look to be in terrible shape, but the electrodes were very worn and the gap was off. I think it was time for a change. I'll probably change them again in 50K miles or so since it's a very easy job on this truck.

I replaced the plugs with Motorcraft ones. It seems to idle a little smoother and may have more power, but that's just my butt dyno and it could be a placebo effect.

 

[pbm]

I would have changed them too. I'd probably use the Autolite Platinum equivalents from Walmart.

 

[mechanicx]

I don't get it. Dpesn't Ford use platinums for that year? Those don't look like platinums and the electrodes are totally worn.

 

[01rangerxl]

Yes, they are supposed to be platinums with a 100K mile change interval. The tips are completely worn off, which made the gap over .060 (should be .044).

The truck has been alternated between regular gas and E85 for the last five years and 60K miles or so. I don't know if that might have accelerated the wear on the plugs.

 

[heathenbrewing]

.... but the electrodes were very worn and the gap was off. I think it was time for a change... [
quote/]

Understatement of the year!

As you noted, the electrodes are shot and show uneven wear. No need to go by my interval (1x per year), but I would but the 85 at least in half.

 

[Quest]

They are worn by my standards.

I wouldn't bother stressing the solid-state ignitor(ignition module) out when such worn gaps knowing that any borderline case would cause mis-firing and will throw you a CEL if you aren't careful enough.

Q.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Yes, they are supposed to be platinums with a 100K mile change interval. The tips are completely worn off, which made the gap over .060 (should be .044).

The truck has been alternated between regular gas and E85 for the last five years and 60K miles or so. I don't know if that might have accelerated the wear on the plugs.


Wow if they open up that much the platinum probably worn/fell off long ago, so no wonder they started wearing like crazy. This what I've seen, the platinum comming off within 40k miles or so sometimes. I would've slapped in some iridiums and tried my luck with them. Although I am not sure if iridiums aren't just iridium core with platinum tips, but I think they still hold up better.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Quest
They are worn by my standards.

I wouldn't bother stressing the solid-state ignitor(ignition module) out when such worn gaps knowing that any borderline case would cause mis-firing and will throw you a CEL if you aren't careful enough.

Q.
Electricity takes the easiest route.

 

[Captain_Klink]

suggest autolite app104 or xp104 or champion 7963. the champion 9204 is a superb iridium plug these plugs will provide excellent ignition and the gap will not go all over the map like the pics you have shown. be sure to make sure the electrodes are aligned and the gap is appropriate before installing. be very careful when adjusting an iridium plug, like the xp, or the champion 9204. for my money, i prefer iridiums, because my butt dyno likes them.

 

[Scdevon]

I bet that engine ran great. Those wide gaps make for a nice fat, hot spark. The problem is that under wide open acceleration, those wide gaps tax the ability of the coil to produce enough voltage to jump that arc. Sometimes, people complain that their cars actually run WORSE after a plug change in everyday stop and go driving at moderate throttle. This is why.

 

[Kruse]

Well, this is my opinion and my opinion only.
Do you run any E10 (or greater) fuel? The higher the alcohol you run, the quicker the plugs will wear. If somebody runs pure E85, 30K can wear out a set of plugs.
Did you replace these with double platinum plugs? The plugs you took out have two different numbers. With Ford's DIS/E-DIS ignition, half of your plugs fire from the electrode to ground, the other half fire from the ground to electrode. (An electrical engineer could get deep into theory here, but that's the best way to describe it)
If you don't have double plantinum plugs, you may not be any better off than if you installed copper plugs. JMO.

 

[01rangerxl]

I just used the Motorcraft platinum plug Auto Zone had listed for my truck.

The truck has frequently had E85 in it. I don't use it much during winter months though because it makes the truck harder to start, so the plugs will probably just see gas for a while.

 

[Sayjac]

Nice work! IMO, you made a good choice going with the Motorcraft replacement sparks. Son has an 05 Explorer 4.6L, and when he gets ready to to have them changed, I'm going to recommend he go with the MC plug.

He had his brake pads replaced with NAPA pad's and after a time they began to squeal. He had the NAPA pads redone once FOC. Then, he asked to have MC pads put on, and he's had no squeal/issues since.

BTW, see you're not too far from me, don't suppose I could interest in changing the plugs on the 4.6L? The dang fuel/injector rail sits over the plugs, some say it doesn't have to be removed but I could see where it would make the job easier. Plus unlike my vehicles, for this old man, it's quite a stretch to climb up into the engine.

Couple questions. Did you use anti-sieze on the plugs? Do you think Autolite is basically the same as Motorcraft?

Thanks for the pics.

 

[01rangerxl]

I've never wrenched on a modular V8 except to change the oil, so I don't know if that's something I would mess with! There are some vehicles I leave up to a shop, like my old 8 plug I4 Ranger. The 3.0 is a piece of cake to change the plugs on.

I called the Ford dealer and asked them if I needed to use anti-seize and they said no. I just put them on as they came out of the box, after adjusting the gap of course. I kept the original plug wires and sprayed the boots out with electric parts cleaner, then put a very light amount of dielectric grease inside.

I don't know if Autolite is the same as Motorcraft, but they should be fine to use. I wouldn't have a problem using them in my truck.

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Nice work! IMO, you made a good choice going with the Motorcraft replacement sparks. Son has an 05 Explorer 4.6L, and when he gets ready to to have them changed, I'm going to recommend he go with the MC plug.

He had his brake pads replaced with NAPA pad's and after a time they began to squeal. He had the NAPA pads redone once FOC. Then, he asked to have MC pads put on, and he's had no squeal/issues since.

BTW, see you're not too far from me, don't suppose I could interest in changing the plugs on the 4.6L? The dang fuel/injector rail sits over the plugs, some say it doesn't have to be removed but I could see where it would make the job easier. Plus unlike my vehicles, for this old man, it's quite a stretch to climb up into the engine.

Couple questions. Did you use anti-sieze on the plugs? Do you think Autolite is basically the same as Motorcraft?

Thanks for the pics.

You do not have to remove the fuel rail. It does look like it is in the way but it absolutely is not. The only thing that might be considered in the way is the plenium and throttle body. Just need a shorter extension there. Dont use anti-sieze, make sure a torque wrench is used.

 

[Sayjac]

Sort of tongue in check on you changing to plugs on the 4.6L, worth a shot though. Because of the factors I mentioned, don't think it's something I'd tackle.

Just curious about the anti-sieze, good you called the dealer. Dielectric grease a good idea when changing plugs.

Don't know why I've associated Autolite in addition to Motorcraft with Ford. As long as we can get Motorcraft, think it's a good idea to stick with them. Parts seem to be a quality match to Ford vehicles.

 

[mechtech2]

Those plugs are surprisingly worn for a platinum type with those miles.
I would not have believed they were originally platinums except I can see it on the insulator!
Anyway, enjoy the better performance and gas mileage that is now yours.

 

[Jason2007]

I think if I was running E85 alot I would have went with some Iridium plugs just to be on the safe side.

 

[ADFD1]

In my Ford I run Autolite plugs, stay far away from Champion plugs in your Ford. NGK is a good choice if you don't want to run Autolite or MC. To coin a phrase from another post. Save the champs for the mower or a Chrysler.