I have a 2000 E150 with 4.2 engine that has 117k miles. The van has the original spark plugs in it.

I was told by a mechanic that I should run these plugs until I notice a miss. I suspect he didn't want to change them for me. They do appear to be hard to get to on this engine. I'm not too sure I could do it. The Ford dealership want $125 + parts to do the job. They will probably advise me to get new wires also. I can see this costing at least $175 total at the dealer.

Should I do as the first mechanic suggested and wait until it misses, or should I take it to the dealership? Other sugestions?

Thanks for the advice.

 

I replaced the plugs,wires,coil pack on my 01 150 with 4.2 and it took me less than 11/2 hours.I did it from inside the truck by the way.It's not that difficult and I was in no hurry either.By the way a miss may not be related to plugs.Could be egr ports on intake :-( hope this helps

 

Thanks for the answer. Anyone else?

 

I have a 2002 E150 with a 5.4L engine. I just replaced the plugs. It was a pain because there isn't much room to work. I did need to unbolt a fuel rail mount in order to get a plug wrench on some of the plugs. I think the worst part was trying to get a wrench on some of the COP retaining bolts. Overall, it wasn't a hard job but it did take me about 4 hours. Make sure you use a torque wrench when you put the new plugs in the heads. If I were you, I wouldn't let those plugs go any longer. The longer you leave them in, the harder they are to get out.

 

If the plugs and wires have 100K+ miles on them, they are due. Waiting for a miss isn't a good idea. It shouldn't be that big a deal. It takes me about 1-2 hours to do the job on my 5.0 V8 depending on how routing the wires under the intake plenumb goes.

 

He didn't want to do them. If you wait till you get a miss, you will drive a long time getting bad gas mileage, and you will end up possibly ruining a very expensive catalytic converter. $175 is a steal.

 

give it a try before you take it to the stealer. "at least" 175.00(you know it will not be less) is a lot of money to me. And if you can't do it there are competent mechanics other than dealers who can. Good luck

 

> The Ford dealership want $125 + parts to do the job.

Good price, I would have them do it. At 117K, they might not be that easy to remove without damage.

> I think the worst part was trying to get a wrench on some of the COP retaining bolts.

7 mm swivel from Sears.

> Waiting for a miss isn't a good idea.

I agree and think you need another mechanic as he gave you really bad and stupid advice.

 

I was not aware that ford changed from cop to coil pack on 4.2's between 2000 and 01.The coil on my 01 is located on the rocker cover. I stand corrected.I've always owned v8's till now.

 

whalerron how did you go about changin COPS on your van can you give details im hopin to change my friends sparks soon was it really difficult & any good advise it does look kinda crowded all in there i did change my dads 5.4 COPS & PLUGS F150 but never a Van just yet but am lookn up for the challenge. any good advise & details would be appreciated thanks!

 

I recently replaced the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor on my 95 E150 with the 351. I know this van is slightly different than yours, but I took out the alternator and all of the air hoses to get to the cap and plugs on the passenger side, and it took about an hour. I certainly wouldn't go to the dealer for a tune up.

 

> told by a mechanic that I should run these plugs until I notice a miss

Hope you do not use that so called "mechanic" for anything. You need to change the plug. Personally, if you do not work on your own vehicle all the time, it might be worth it to pay the dealer to do it. Especially if the plugs are stuck in there.

That being said, the 4.2 in the van is easier then the 5.4 in a truck, I would go for it.