Changing Ignition Coil on a 95 Escort

[jenwilly]

How do I do it? Is it hard? I'm a bit of an automotive novice, but the auto shop wanted to charge me an arm and a leg for labor. is this something I (or a friend of mine) could do ourselves without too much trouble, or is this something best left to an expert?

BTW, I was told I'd have to change out my spark plugs and spark plug wires as well. I know these are things that are supposed to be easy to do, but what kind of tools do I need to do this on a 95 Escort?

[denisond3]

To advise you, we need to know what engine your Escort has. Mine is a 92, when they came with a 1.9L engine, or if it was a GT, it came with a 1.8L double overhead cam engine. And they used very different ign. systems.
But I think both of them are fairly easy to work on - though you might need to buy a wrench that you dont currently own.
My 92 with the Single overhead cam engine uses a coil pack that is just two coils in one, with the wires plugging into it. The only trick to getting it off is to undo the connector and the ignition wires; and use the right size wrench to undo the bolts that hold the coil pack to the car. I think they are either 8 mm or 7 mm bolts. This is not a common wrench size, being fairly small, but they are available.
If the ignition wires have not been replaced in the last 6 to 8 years, it would be a fine idea to do it now. When they get old it is easy to damage them when you pull them out of their connecton. And you wont necessarily see any damage - it could be internally broken wires.
The spark plugs should be replaced if they have over 10,000 miles on them. They arent hard to change, but again, you might need a wrench that isnt in everyones tool box. I forget what size they are - but you would know that when you buy new spark plugs. Then get a 'deep socket' that size, in a 3/8th" drive, and a 3/8" extension about 6" or longer. Be sure you dont over-tighten the new spark plugs. If you are using a 3/8" ratchet handle, you can get them about tight enough by turning the ratchet with one hand. Im guess it should be about 12-15 foot pounds of torque. People commonly overtighten spark plugs. Dont go by how hard they are to unscrew - since they are likely to be stiffer when removing them, due to having been in the car for years.
By the way - the plugs you take out should be 'dry', and a medium brown or beige in color, on the bottom end. Any plug that is black or oily is an indication of problems. You may find motor oil has gotten onto the -upper- part of the plug. This is just oil that has seeped in from a leaky cam cover gasket in the head. Ignore it; its only black oil on the bottom part of the plug that is a problem.