I've got a 2003 Taurus with almost 70K miles on it and my last oil change place suggested changing the spark plugs. It's the OHV engine (VIN U) and I'm thinking of using the Autolite APP 104 (double platinum). Anyone had bad experience with those or should I go for some other brand? How hard is it to take out the back ones? The Haynes manual isn't very specific on that... Can I use regular "vaseline" petroleum jelly on the boots or do I need a special dielectric? And last but not least - how important is it to change the plugs considering I've mostly driven highway miles? Is it worth the effort for the car's life? It's running quite well right now and I haven't had any major issues with it other than the starter engine giving up and some scratches...

Thanks!

Use the Autolites and these are the best plugs for Fords including Motorcraft.Use the dielectric grease.Avoid Bosch plugs and E-3 plugs.Bosch plugs do not last in Ford products.I have heard E-3 plugs are junk and are not cheap,$20.00 a piece.Put the fuel filter on the list too,always change it during a tune up.If you don't do this,plugs up putting a strain on the fuel pump and kills it

Use the Autolites and these are the best plugs for Fords including Motorcraft.Use the dielectric grease.Avoid Bosch plugs and E-3 plugs.Bosch plugs do not last in Ford products.I have heard E-3 plugs are junk and are not cheap,$20.00 a piece.Put the fuel filter on the list too,always change it during a tune up.If you don't do this,plugs up putting a strain on the fuel pump and kills it

Thanks for the reply! Isn't it dangerous to do the fuel filter? I'm somewhat afraid of flammable stuff spraying all over the place... Should I maybe have it done by a shop?

It is not a dangerous job to change the fuel filter,you can relieve the pressure by taking the gas cap off.There is another way to do it too and I cannot remember it.

I don't think you'd relieve sufficient pressure on the fuel line by just taking the fuel cap off. You can use a fuel pressure tester to release and capture the fuel pressure from the fuel rail. Since most people probably don't have fuel pressure testers, you can also unplug the fuel pump at the inertia cutoff switch (see owner's manual), start the car and let it run until it stalls. The same could be accomplished by removing the fuel pump relay or fuel pump fuse if it doesn't have other critical circuits on the same fuse.

-Rod

I don't think you'd relieve sufficient pressure on the fuel line by just taking the fuel cap off. You can use a fuel pressure tester to release and capture the fuel pressure from the fuel rail. Since most people probably don't have fuel pressure testers, you can also unplug the fuel pump at the inertia cutoff switch (see owner's manual), start the car and let it run until it stalls. The same could be accomplished by removing the fuel pump relay or fuel pump fuse if it doesn't have other critical circuits on the same fuse.

-Rod

yeah this is what the Haynes manual says. i'll check local prices and see how much of a steal it is to have it done by a shop.

Thanks!

Also consider that original Ford advertising tells that is "100,000 miles between tuneups". This includes plug replacement. I have over 90,000 miles on an '02 "U" w/origial plugs and still get over 30 MPG on the highway.

Also consider that original Ford advertising tells that is "100,000 miles between tuneups". This includes plug replacement. I have over 90,000 miles on an '02 "U" w/origial plugs and still get over 30 MPG on the highway.

yes i've seen that in the ford maintenance booklet that came with the car. is there a way to see if plugs need replacement without taking them out?

Most people replace spark plugs before they are needed. If you change the fuel filter after the vehicle has rested overnight, there will be a minumum amt of gasoline dribbling out of it and the line.