Would you change this plug?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Ohio
Would you change this plug?
Went to change the plugs today, and the first plug I took out does not look like it's been in there for 118 K. Any vehicle I have changed plugs on at 100K +, the plugs always look worse for wear. This one looks fairly fresh to me, as in the PO must have changed them at some point.
You guys think these are worth changing? This is just maintenance, no running or fuel mileage issues at all.
Here's a new plug for reference.
You guys think these are worth changing? This is just maintenance, no running or fuel mileage issues at all.
Here's a new plug for reference.
Last edited by ExxWhy; Jan 4, 2012 at 08:22 PM. Reason: added new pic
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Mt. Shasta California
Definitely. A big misconception is that just because plugs don't have tons of miles or that they look good, they are good. Your engine will see it in gas mileage and power and it's well worth changing them. I change mine relatively often but don't use the expensive ones because I don't think they are worth much or any more. (Not much better if at all).
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Definitely. A big misconception is that just because plugs don't have tons of miles or that they look good, they are good. Your engine will see it in gas mileage and power and it's well worth changing them. I change mine relatively often but don't use the expensive ones because I don't think they are worth much or any more. (Not much better if at all).
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From: N. IL
IMO, if it was No 5, the PITA plug, and I went to the trouble and scraped knuckles to pull it and take that picture, I'd just put in a new gapped one and be done with it rather than deal with #5 thrice...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Sacramento Area
I have to agree...just because the ceramic is nice and white doesn't mean that it hasn't seen better days. If you have it apart, have a new part, don't waste your labor, go ahead and change it.
Post Fiend
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Cargo Master
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From: Mount Royal, NJ
I have a policy that I follow with all cars after year 1998.
If a used plug comes out for any reason, even lightly used, then a new one goes in.
Every time they are installed and removed, there is another chance of cracking the insulator. After dealing with this issue and it causing me immense headaches a couple of times, I folow the above. I never had issues again.
If a used plug comes out for any reason, even lightly used, then a new one goes in.
Every time they are installed and removed, there is another chance of cracking the insulator. After dealing with this issue and it causing me immense headaches a couple of times, I folow the above. I never had issues again.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Summit, MS
Not always true.
These had about 145k miles on them when I first got the vehicle. I saw no power or MPG difference after changing them.
These had about 145k miles on them when I first got the vehicle. I saw no power or MPG difference after changing them.
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Logistics Pro
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From: Ohio
That is more like what I was expecting. I too have never seen any difference after a plug change when everything seemed to be running fine. Seeing the rust on there reminds me that I read in some thread that the original plugs aren't plated, but later versions of the same plug are plated. All adds up to me to say mine are not original.
However, I guess I am just being lazy and looking for an extra excuse to stay lazy. I was thinking I should at least double check the torque on all of them and put the new boots on, so if I have to go that far in labor, may as well change the plugs. At least I will know for sure when they were changed and with any luck they will give me several years of laziness in the future.
BTW, that plug pictured was of course from the drivers side front, the easiest to get at.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Mt. Shasta California
I find that hard to believe. I bet it did have more power that you didn't notice and got better gas mileage that you didn't realize you were getting. Also; the boots don't last long either and should have been replaced at that time.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Summit, MS
Whether or not you find it hard to believe, that doesn't change that those are the facts.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Mt. Shasta California
Boots were replaced. I also track my mileage EVERY tank so I DO know that it didn't get any better than before. I'm also pretty sure I know what the power was before and after as at that time I was putting about 35k miles a year on it.
Whether or not you find it hard to believe, that doesn't change that those are the facts.
Whether or not you find it hard to believe, that doesn't change that those are the facts.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Summit, MS
I don't care if you change them every week or never change them at all.
I was simply stating what my personal experience was and the engineers at Ford must agree with me. I just checked my owner's manual and it doesn't show a plug replacement until 100,000 miles.
The 145k miles that I went is longer than I would have liked to have gone but that's when I got the vehicle and couldn't do anything about who owned it before.
Knowing what I do about them now, I will definitely not be changing them again until at least 245k miles are up on the odometer.
THERE JUST ISN'T ANY NEED!
I was simply stating what my personal experience was and the engineers at Ford must agree with me. I just checked my owner's manual and it doesn't show a plug replacement until 100,000 miles.
The 145k miles that I went is longer than I would have liked to have gone but that's when I got the vehicle and couldn't do anything about who owned it before.
Knowing what I do about them now, I will definitely not be changing them again until at least 245k miles are up on the odometer.
THERE JUST ISN'T ANY NEED!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I don't care if you change them every week or never change them at all.
I was simply stating what my personal experience was and the engineers at Ford must agree with me. I just checked my owner's manual and it doesn't show a plug replacement until 100,000 miles.
The 145k miles that I went is longer than I would have liked to have gone but that's when I got the vehicle and couldn't do anything about who owned it before.
Knowing what I do about them now, I will definitely not be changing them again until at least 245k miles are up on the odometer.
THERE JUST ISN'T ANY NEED!
I was simply stating what my personal experience was and the engineers at Ford must agree with me. I just checked my owner's manual and it doesn't show a plug replacement until 100,000 miles.
The 145k miles that I went is longer than I would have liked to have gone but that's when I got the vehicle and couldn't do anything about who owned it before.
Knowing what I do about them now, I will definitely not be changing them again until at least 245k miles are up on the odometer.
THERE JUST ISN'T ANY NEED!