`04 Duratec Sparkplugs?

bruker · #1 07-23-2007, 04:10 PM

What's the recommended mileage to change the sparkplugs on an `04 Duratec? Also how tough is it to change the rear plugs. I had an `01 Windstar that it looked nearly impossible to change the rear plugs but if you went at them from underneath it was a piece of cake.

RickMN · #2 07-23-2007, 05:06 PM

The book says 100K, but don't follow that. With 80K miles, the plugs are 80% used up and you're wasting more in gas than you're saving by keeping the same plugs. Plus, readers have reported misfires and check engine lights going on around the 80K range that have all been caused by plugs.

They're not as hard to replace as on the Windstar. You remove the part of the cowling that covers the cabin air filter and the rest of the cowling can come apart, giving you lots of room to reach the back of the engine.

MyTaurus8AChevy · #3 07-23-2007, 07:45 PM

We also have a '04 Duratec Taurus and I must say that replacing the plugs was not that hard. Just make sure you use motorcraft replacements. Simply go to the motorcraft web site, enter your VIN number, and it will tell you which ones are the correct ones. By the way, that engine does NOT have a PCV valve, so don't bother looking for one. Took me 3 days to learn this, and that was after we tore half the engine apart

bruker · #4 07-23-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyTaurus8AChevy

We also have a '04 Duratec Taurus and I must say that replacing the plugs was not that hard. Just make sure you use motorcraft replacements. Simply go to the motorcraft web site, enter your VIN number, and it will tell you which ones are the correct ones. By the way, that engine does NOT have a PCV valve, so don't bother looking for one. Took me 3 days to learn this, and that was after we tore half the engine apart

No PCV valve? I'll have to remember that.

How did you get to the rear plugs? Over the top or from below?

MyTaurus8AChevy · #5 07-23-2007, 08:44 PM

Over the top. You remove a molding that runs at the back of the hood area (top of the cowl) and then remove the cowl as if you're replacing the cabin filer. I think I needed a socket extension and a swivel but other than that it was pretty straight forward. You might also need a small telescoping magnet (craftsman and K-Mart sell them for a few bucks) to remove the sparkplug once it's loose. If you run into any problems just post and I'll see if I can find the Ford service notes on it, but I think you'll be OK

bruker · #6 05-12-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyTaurus8AChevy

Over the top. You remove a molding that runs at the back of the hood area (top of the cowl) and then remove the cowl as if you're replacing the cabin filer. I think I needed a socket extension and a swivel but other than that it was pretty straight forward. You might also need a small telescoping magnet (craftsman and K-Mart sell them for a few bucks) to remove the sparkplug once it's loose. If you run into any problems just post and I'll see if I can find the Ford service notes on it, but I think you'll be OK

Here it is nearly a year later and I'm getting closer to tackling this project. I still don't see how you can get to the rear plugs without removing the intake manifold. It looks like the manifold will prevent you from getting the plug coils off. Anyhow, do you still have access to the service notes that you could post?

MyTaurus8AChevy · #7 05-12-2008, 12:01 PM

How soon do you need them? My father just bought a '04 SES and we're planning on changing the plugs in around 2-3 weeks. I could take step by step photos of how we do it for you. Also don't buy the plugs just yet. They need a specific plug to run correctly, but I'll need to contact Ford to double check exactly which ones they are

bruker · #8 05-12-2008, 12:38 PM

I'm probably still a couple of months from doing it. It has 90,000 and I'll change them at 100,000. Aren't the plugs just double platinum?

TaurusKing · #9 05-12-2008, 02:22 PM

I did my 99 Duratec, pulled the upper intake and associated parts, replaced the pcv valve with plumbing, all told about 4 hours at my relaxed pace.. now that I've done it once, probably could have the intake off in 15 minutes, there's a few pieces hooked to it that have to be removed, rubber hoses and such that don't give it up easy.. I checked it out beforehand, couldn't see how to get the back plugs out, apparently others have.. one thing that threw me though was the new plugs. I bought Autolite platinums, app764's. When I removed the Motorcraft plugs that were in there, first thing I noticed is that they were long-threaded, vs the short-threaded app764's. In my infinite stupidity I immediately assumed I had the wrong plugs, went online to various places, all listed the app764 as the correct plug. Ended up calling the Autolite company, first thing the guy says to me "Did you compare the plugs side by side?, they're exactly the same length". I said thread length is different, I get the same question, what he told me is that they are doing away with the full-threaded bodies, no need for it.. I never compared the two plugs, only saw the thread length. Don't be stupid like me.. oh yeah the manual does list a sequence for taking off the intake bolts, two different lengths are used, re-used the original gasket also, weird thing the gasket has locating pins, no such help with the intake itself, you sit it on there and align it as you tighten the bolts. Maybe other years are different.

99 Neon R/T · #10 05-17-2008, 07:10 PM

I just did my wifes 04 duratec and had to pull the top of the plenum to get the rear plugs.Im not calling anyone wrong there was just no other way to remove the coil over plug.The plenum is easy though 8 bolts a few elec plugs and some vac lines and it was off.The bolts are captive to the plenum which tells me that it was designed to be removed with some frequency.Also this particular 04 duratec did have a pcv valve just not in the typical spot.If you are looking at the engine it is on the rear cylinder head on the driver side.It is kinda hard to see because of all the stuff in the way but if you run your hand down in there you can feel it connected to a rubber hose that connects to the bottom part of the intake just downstream of the throttle body.

99 Neon R/T · #11 05-17-2008, 07:11 PM

oh yeah and those engines supposedly call for irridium plugs rather than platinum.

mwt47 · #12 05-18-2008, 01:06 AM

Nevermind

Mike

bruker · #13 08-04-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyTaurus8AChevy

How soon do you need them? My father just bought a '04 SES and we're planning on changing the plugs in around 2-3 weeks. I could take step by step photos of how we do it for you. Also don't buy the plugs just yet. They need a specific plug to run correctly, but I'll need to contact Ford to double check exactly which ones they are

Did you change the plugs yet? How did it go?

bruker · #14 12-28-2009, 06:46 PM

I finally got around to changing the plugs! There's 99,250 miles on the old ones so it guess it was time. I saw no way of getting to the rear plugs without removing the intake plenum so off it came. There are several electrical connections, vacuum lines, vapor lines, EGR tube and throttle body that need to be disconnected and also a PCV valve hose that was a SOB to get at. There are 8 bolts that hold the pleneum to the intake so that was the easy part. When I took out the old plugs they looked fine and the gap was .054 which is right in the middle of the spec. of 1.32-1.42 mm. One thing to note is to make sure you have all the coils plugged back into the wire harnes or you're sure to have a miss. (Don't ask how I know.

) In all it took me about 3 hours of which 1 hour was dedicated to the PCV hose.

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