2002 Lincoln LS V6 Spark Plugs?

hey everyone, i dont know if ive diagnosed this right or wrong, but the computer is not flashing any misfire or random misfire codes...the CEL is not coming on and off...or anything like that, but the symptoms are making me believe its bad spark plugs/coils...now when cruising around there is no hesitation it runs smooth and calm, but once i put my foot to the ground the rpms struggle to rise and there is a very bad lag in the power...i mean it has a cold air intake, and all ive used is 94 octane in the thing, at first i thought it was bad gas but then i noticed the gas is fine as i use the same exact gas station to fill my 11 sec heavily cammed fbody which has a compression of 11.5 to 1...anyways, it just hesitates too much at full throttle, and it jerks as if the tranny is slipping...but the transmission shows no signs of wear...it shifts perfectly...it doesnt over rev...and its crisp...and IF it is the spark plugs can someone write up a step by step procedure of how to replace them? im sure i can pull it off myself, but if theres something to be aware please let me know, im almost a 100% sure its not the same as changing plugs on a SBC...thank you

regards,

Reredrum

NGK Iridium Spark plugs should last over 100K miles.

1) Buy a new Air/fuel filter, and try cleaning the MAF sensor.
2) Consider new upstream H02 sensors.

Have you calculated the fuel economy recently? Is it where you'd expect it to be, or has it dropped? A dirty MAF is my first suspect too, especially since you have a CAI.

-Rod

Have you calculated the fuel economy recently? Is it where you'd expect it to be, or has it dropped? A dirty MAF is my first suspect too, especially since you have a CAI.

-Rod

yes fuel economy has dropped...ill take a look at the MAF tomorrow, is there a special thing to use to clean a MAF sensor? or would the computer cleaner do just fine...

I'm not sure what you mean by "computer cleaner." If you're referring to canned air, that won't work well. If you're referring to electrical contact cleaner, that should work fine. If you don't have contact cleaner, then there is "Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner" from CRC. Your chain department stores may have it in their automotive section or you should be able to pick it up at a auto parts store.

-Rod

I'm not sure what you mean by "computer cleaner." If you're referring to canned air, that won't work well. If you're referring to electrical contact cleaner, that should work fine. If you don't have contact cleaner, then there is "Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner" from CRC. Your chain department stores may have it in their automotive section or you should be able to pick it up at a auto parts store.

-Rod

i meant the electrical contact cleaner, but i dont have any of that but ill stop by at an auto parts place to pick up one of those MAF cleaners...Thanks again, ill update after i give that a try...

-Reredrum

Well, i looked around almost everywhere and cant find a place that carries a MAF sensor cleaner, so i picked up a electrical contact cleaner and gave the MAF a nice spray, the hesitation at the top end went away...the last couple of days it started snowing, that doesnt have much to do with my problem but it might be related somehow? but when im at a stop light and idling in gear, my car is missing, or when its in park and sitting...its just missing, i checked the in car diagnostics program to see if i get any codes, i didnt get any, besides the 12 42 which is the DCCV i have Deleted...what could it be? should i go ahead and change the spark plugs with the oil i have to change this weekend, or should i give the MAF another shot...and if i end up jumping into changing my spark plugs how long does it usually take? and is there a step by step procedure anywhere in this forum? please let me know as im scratching my head right now, and cant figure it out...thanks in advance...

btw, im up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. its -2 degrees Celsius and theres about a good 3 inches of snow on the ground... just thought id mention.

-Reredrum

Well, i looked around almost everywhere and cant find a place that carries a MAF sensor cleaner, so i picked up a electrical contact cleaner and gave the MAF a nice spray, the hesitation at the top end went away...the last couple of days it started snowing, that doesnt have much to do with my problem but it might be related somehow? but when im at a stop light and idling in gear, my car is missing, or when its in park and sitting...its just missing, i checked the in car diagnostics program to see if i get any codes, i didnt get any, besides the 12 42 which is the DCCV i have Deleted...what could it be? should i go ahead and change the spark plugs with the oil i have to change this weekend, or should i give the MAF another shot...and if i end up jumping into changing my spark plugs how long does it usually take? and is there a step by step procedure anywhere in this forum? please let me know as im scratching my head right now, and cant figure it out...thanks in advance...

btw, im up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. its -2 degrees Celsius and theres about a good 3 inches of snow on the ground... just thought id mention.

-Reredrum

Run the Key-On Engine-On self test and then look at the misfire counts for each cylinder.

Run the Key-On Engine-On self test and then look at the misfire counts for each cylinder.

i didnt quite get that can you please specify what you mean?

i didnt quite get that can you please specify what you mean?

Since you picked up the B1242 code, I assumed that you had a Ford specific scan tool. Such a tool can initiate various engine self tests. The engine running test check cylinder balance and does a more precise misfire detection.

Note that if you just ran diagnostics from the DATC, that only gives codes for the climate control. It does not read out any engine or other codes that may be present.

Since you picked up the B1242 code, I assumed that you had a Ford specific scan tool. Such a tool can initiate various engine self tests. The engine running test check cylinder balance and does a more precise misfire detection.

Note that if you just ran diagnostics from the DATC, that only gives codes for the climate control. It does not read out any engine or other codes that may be present.

yeah i only ran the DATC...sorry for the misunderstanding i dont really own any sort of diagnostic tools...im just trying to learn about this vehicle as i encounter a problem, seems like they have quite a bit hehehe, thanks.