Tune-up Parts?

I have a friend, she drives I believe a 99' taurus v6 :dunno: not sure on the engine size, dont really remember....

anyways, other than the basic oil change, (not sure what she puts in there) She really needs a tune-up, not sure when the last was done... I was thinking along the lines of new plugs/wires, air filter, fuel filter... not sure what else

As goes for plugs/wires, if there are any semi performance plugs out there, I run ac delco iridium plugs in my pontiac grand am and I drove over 100miles on half a tank :screwy: crazy I know, along with new taylor spiro pro wires 8mm... really helped..

As for the air filter, would anyone be able to direct me in a possible K&N cone filter setup? I was looking at the engine the other day and saw that after the stock hosing its like a MAF with a square exit? Is there anyway around this?

If not, could always option for K&N Drop-in if available...

fuel filter would be OEM...

not sure on the engine size... not sure what she puts in there... not sure what else
That's a lot of 'not sure's'. You'll need more specific information because engine type/year DOES matter. For example; vulcan engines require a PCV valve, some Duratechs do not. You're right on about the oil filter though. K&N is the best way to go :)

As goes for plugs/wires, if there are any semi performance plugs out there
We were always told to always, always, always, use Ford plugs in a Ford engine. I know for a fact that the Bosch don't work good in Taurus's. You can go to Motorcraft.com and enter in her VIN number, and it will tell you exactly what plugs are best to use.

I have a friend, she drives I believe a 99' taurus v6 :dunno: not sure on the engine size, dont really remember....

anyways, other than the basic oil change, (not sure what she puts in there) She really needs a tune-up, not sure when the last was done... I was thinking along the lines of new plugs/wires, air filter, fuel filter... not sure what else

As goes for plugs/wires, if there are any semi performance plugs out there, I run ac delco iridium plugs in my pontiac grand am and I drove over 100miles on half a tank :screwy: crazy I know, along with new taylor spiro pro wires 8mm... really helped..

As for the air filter, would anyone be able to direct me in a possible K&N cone filter setup? I was looking at the engine the other day and saw that after the stock hosing its like a MAF with a square exit? Is there anyway around this?

If not, could always option for K&N Drop-in if available...

fuel filter would be OEM...

As said Ford use Motorcraft plugs.
Get what the good book calls for.
I would just stay with a good quality stock air filter and fuel filter and plug wires.
Spend your money on what it needs first .:grinyes: :grinno:
Also a good time to check belts and hoses and coolant and battery and electrical system.
Check transmission fluid and brake pads

That's a lot of 'not sure's'. You'll need more specific information because engine type/year DOES matter. For example; vulcan engines require a PCV valve, some Duratechs do not. You're right on about the oil filter though. K&N is the best way to go :)


We were always told to always, always, always, use Ford plugs in a Ford engine. I know for a fact that the Bosch don't work good in Taurus's. You can go to Motorcraft.com and enter in her VIN number, and it will tell you exactly what plugs are best to use.

yea lol I know man, its just not my engine and I only took a glimpse of it :grinyes:

99' v6 :dunno: *shrug ill get the size when I can, maybe later today

ill check out the motorcraft site, as well go check with a local dealer where I got my plugs, if they can pull them up. Any reference on wires? or just stick with OEM, maybe grab new ones. They're pretty worn from heat/wear/use

I also noticed her coolant is not keeping pressure of some sort either by the cap or around that area, just kinda noticed it was leaking around the tank and the pressure was goin out as well... I can say though, a lot needs to be replaced but for now its just tune... money issues $$$ for her anyways

Any ideas for the K&N Air filter other than sticking with stock drop-in? I see that square MAF and I see a challenge :rofl:

ill get the size when I can, maybe later today
Just get her VIN number and use it at motorcraft.com. They should tell you everything that you need to know about the car :)

Any ideas for the K&N Air filter
If you go to their site and enter in what kind of car it is, they will list every product that they make for that car :)

Just checked the site and all I am seeing is OEM, I will however keep it in mind when I check for the plugs...

ill go on a hunt for some sorta bolt up metal induct pipe of some sorta warm air intake lol

I think K&N has a 1-800 number that you can call and ask them about your cone filter setup. They are great people :)

I don't think you need stock wires. Most standard wire sets these days are pretty good. Just don't get hair thin wires :p

Change the fuel filter also and that is a part of a tune up.Stay away from cheap plug wires,from AutoZone and Advanced.I believe that should be a coil on plug ignition system with no plug wires if it is the duratec.Carquest does sell high quality plug wires.You can use Autolites also,Motorcraft spark plugs are Autolites with the Motorcraft name on them

Change the fuel filter also and that is a part of a tune up.
Take your time when you replace this. Those little clips can be tricky to remove and they break easily. It should be on the passenger side, just ahead of the rear wheel.

You might be able to replace the rear plugs by removing the cowl area (3 screws).

"I also noticed her coolant is not keeping pressure of some sort either by the cap or around that area, " Reservoir caps are cheap so replace it because for the cooling system to function properly it needs a certain amount of pressure and that's the caps job.

As far as replacing whats in it now with OEM parts, no problem there because there's a whole lot of Tauri that run 200K mi and more on OEM parts and MotoCraft oil and filters.

As far as the lady having money issues, auto maintenance is a serious, 'pay me now or pay me later' thing. For instance, if the tranny is not serviced it can be the difference between a $100. fluid flush job or a $1500. tranny rebuild so while you're helping her make sure the tranny fluid is in good condition.

caps are cheap so replace it because for the cooling system to function properly it needs a certain amount of pressure and that's the caps job..

:1: The higher the pressure, the higher the boiling point. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to to flush the coolant and replace the thermostat.

"The higher the pressure, the higher the boiling point."

Yup, you got it. If memory serves, . . . for one degree of pressure the boiling point goes up three degrees. Hence; water boils 212F and we use a 16 lb cap, 16 X 3 + 212 = 260F boiling point. Soooo, . . . like I always say, treat a hot engine like a Rattle Snake and do not take athe cap off before it cools down because you could be SERIOUSLY burned and if it gets in your eyes, . . . :nono: BAD JUJU !

Salt raises the boiling point of water so when we add salt to boil grits, veggies or chitlins' they cook quicker because the boiling point is higher. If you boiled water at the top of Mt Everest it would boil at 69C or 156F. BUT, your food would take forever to get done. That's why for emergencies everybody should have a generator and microwave oven.

for one degree of pressure the boiling point goes up three degrees.
Yep, that's also how pressure cookers work :grinyes: Mmmm... ...ribs :p