96 Town Car: Water in spark plug holes

[LieutenantCracker]

Chk Eng Code indicates misfire on Cylinders 1 & 2, Bank 2. Pulled plug boots. Found water inside, around plugs. Rusty inside boots, as well (as expected). Problem started aft degreasing/washing engine.

(see post http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul....php?t=1036220).

I dried the plug holes and boots w. q-tips & air compressor, then cleaned both, as best I could-- The problem persists.

QUESTION: Which do you think is the more probable cause of the misfire(s)... The plugs or the wires? Or, is there a more likely culprit?

Obviously, the wires AND plugs need to be replaced but, I simply don't have the money to replace both at once. So,f I can replace one or the other set (wires OR plugs), & that cures the prob (@least for the time being), then I'll change-out the other set, as soon as I can.
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Futurama dicussion

[Blue)(Fusion]

Wires are the likely culprit. At like $1.99 per spark plug, why not spend an extra $16 and do plugs and wires at the same time, even if you are a bit low on funds. Stick with Motorcraft or Autolite Platinums gapped to .054". Avoid Bosch like the plague.

This is why you should never wash the upper area of the engine with anything more than a damp rag.

[LieutenantCracker]

Cool--Thanks!
Especially your advice 'bout Bosch... Those were to be my 1st choice, just b/c they were on sale(!)

I don't know much about Bosch... What's your expreience been-- I mean... Specifically?
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[Kitt1993]

on my 95 Town Car, I put Bosch plat 4 in it and after 3000 miles, I had a misfire again. Bosch are great for European Cars, not American. I always use Motorcraft spark plugs. In my case the part number is SP 432. Good luck Lt.

bryan

[Blue)(Fusion]

I went with Bosch on my first plug change. I never really noticed a problem with them. A year later I swapped them out for Motorcraft plugs and realized that my sloppy idle was a result of the Bosch plugs.

Motorcraft parts were developed by Ford for use in Fords, so they really do literally get you the best bang for your buck.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with other brands for some parts, but for stuff like plugs and O2 sensors, stick to Motorcraft.

And I recommend Autolites because Autolite is the manufacturer of the Motorcraft plugs so they are identical in design and quality. I'm sorry I don't have the part numbers on hand, though.

Also don't let them upsell you to the double or quad electrode plugs or Iridium plugs. More than one electrode is useless since electricity travels the path of least resistance, so it only fires from one electrode at a time and both electrodes wear at the same rate, anyway. Iridiums are a harder metal, but will likely not last any longer than plats. Platinums are good for 80-100k or more. Copper are only good for about 20-30k before they start to decrease performance since they have the lowest melting temp of the three metals.

[LieutenantCracker]

OK, so here's a update:

Buried deep within a drawer of my tool chest, I came across a stray plastic "mascara"-type (very small) brush. So, I decided to give the insides of the #1 & #2 boots an additional cleaning, just for the hell of it.

Apparently the damage to the boots' innards (southern for "internal-workings/contents) wasn't beyond repair b/c everything seems to be back to normal!-- Though I DO realize that I still need to replace the offending parts, ASAP!

Thanks for all the help!
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LovelyWendie99