Hello guys. first time posting here. I have a question about spark plug gaps. I just got Autolite double platinum plugs for my 2003 expedition 5.4L. I measured the gap for the plugs, they all are about .044-.046 inch. However, the owners manual and most of the online publications i found say to set gap at .054 inch. autolite website also says to gap plugs at .054 inch. yet label on the box says all the plugs are gapped at the factory. I am very confused. if the plugs are supposed to be gapped at .054 inch why are they gapped at .044 inch at the factory? Thanks.

 

This is not uncommon, the plug has more than one application so you will need to gap to the application to which you are installing.

 

it just seems odd lots of people are saying great things about using the autolite plugs on these expeditions, lots people posting write-ups about how to change the plugs, but nobody seem to care to mention the gap needs to be changed before installation. the old plugs i took out from the car were autolite double platinum too, and the gap were set at .044(not by me).... maybe that's why my check engine light comes on for a while then goes off at random intervals.

 

I wont speak for other people but had a 97 (now sold) and now own a 01 both with the 5.4 and have changed plugs in both and had to set the gap for the new plugs before installing it's not a big deal.

 

Thanks for the info. i will adjust the gaps to .054.

 

Having just changed the plugs on 03 expy, I didn't know they were preset at the factory. All these years I never read the box. I always check and gap them before going in. My dad taught me that when I was young pup. Hey allstar940, how did the change out go?

 

i haven't finish changing all of them yet. I read about how long it takes. I just didn't haven't enough time today. I only changed the easier ones(saving the best for last, hehehe).

 

I always do the hard ones first. That way the job can only get easier from there.

 

Can't even trust other people to change your plugs these days. I got this car used. I dont know how long this car has been running with wrong plug gaps. Luckily this is not my only car, i won't drive it again until i have all the gaps set properly. shame shame shame.