Spark Plugs

[DON DEMARKO]

i WAS LOOKING FOR HELP REPLACING SPARK PLUGS i WASN'T SURE WHETHER
i NEEDED TO TAKE THE INTAKE OFF BEFORE REPLACING?

[mundy5]

Don, welcome to AF!

After reading here for some time, I have noticed that in order to change spark plugs, either you remove the cowl and access the rear of the engine from the top or put the vehicle on a ramp and access it from under the engine. Either way, apparently people with big forarms will not be able to reach from under the engine. I am planning on doing mine pretty soon as well.

[wiswind]

Also, you need to do this with the engine cool.
First, they come out easier this way (steel plug into alluminum head).
Also.....much easier on you......from under vehicle (the way that I do it) you are hugging a catalytic converter.

Use either Motorcraft brand or Autolite brand double platinumn plug as listed for your vehicle.
Stay away from the multi prong plugs that they display at the auto part stores.....some have reported problems with these.
Best to use what the vehicle was designed for.

[alaskanebular]

I just finished doing the plugs on my 98' Windstar with a 3.8. I went in from the bottom on the backside. Pulled my coil-pack by taking off the air cleaner throttle and cruse control bracket from the throttle-body and laying them back out of the way (the cruses control cable snaps in place remove by lifting off, and the throttle cable is pulled straight to wards the passenger side then the end has to be moved to wards the back), then took the big square plug with the bolt in the middle apart. Good Luck it took me 5 hours to do mine.

[Andrew1941]

I just did mine on a 2001. I removed the cowel at the top. I have had the cowel off for so many repairs, it is really easy and only takes me about 10 to 15 minutes tops to remove it. Then you have access to the rear plugs. MAKE sure you use the Motorcraft or Autolite plugs. Been there, done that. The Bosch platinums were cooked out in about 30 to 40,000 km. AND make sure you use a rubber booted spark plug socket (5/8"). I cracked a plug on the way out using a standard socket (you don't want that on a new plug). I also suggest doing one at a time to make sure there are no issues with wires. By the way, the cost between Ford plug set and after market set is about $10 so I wouldn't mess around, just by the Ford ones. Gap should be 0.052" to 0.056" (check the new ones just to make sure because you do not want to have to open up again for something like that!).