heya everyone,

I have a 99 explorer XLT 4.0 sohc that I bought last year. a few days ago whil changing out the spark plugs I found that the passenger side middle plug was extreamly hard to get off, after finaly removing it and trying to get the new plug in I came to the conclusion that it had been cross threaded in the past, and just forced all the way in. I couldn't get the new one so I took it to the dealer only to hear them say that it was going to cost me at least $800 for at the least for labor alone. I asked him if he could use a helicoil, and he said that ford won't let him. If anyone has any suggestions or knows a reason I shouldn't use a helicoil please help, I am in desperate need.

 

even if you do use a helicoil you will still need to remove the head

 

yeah, with the lack of room on that side I was pretty much expecting to. hmmmmm, there goes a weekend. thanks

 

Hi xplor'r and welcome to FTE

You didnt pick a very nice engine to have that problem on
Ford says not to helicoil spark plug holes but lots of people do and get away with it. You have to be verrry careful to not get any junk inside the engine. You might be able to do it through the inner fender if you pull the wheel off.
If you end up pulling the head you will need special tools to set the cam timing again. It's a real pain to do. I think, if I could, I'd have the dealer do it. Oh wait...I work at a dealer and that's not a job I really want to do either. hehe