Does anyone know of a trick or special way to remove the back of the engine spark plug on the passenger side? All the others are easy to get to, but this one is almost impossible. Any help appreciated.

About two years ago I had a problem where my engine would rock and roll when I would rev it up to 3K rpm or more while in park. I took it to 3 mechanics and finally to the dealer and they couldn't figure out what was causing it. Finally the last mechanic to look at it did a clean-out of the throttle body and problem solved. Now I have the same thing going on. I cleaned out the throttle body, used a full can of throttle body cleaner, brushed and scrubbed and the problem is still there.
After reading some posts I am now thinking I have a carbon buildup on the pistons. The truck has 111K on it and I've never cleaned out the pistons but have on occasion used Sea Foam in the gas, along with Techron. But never done a steam clean or put anything in the intake other then the throttle body clean. Any suggestions as to what could be causing this? anyone experience this? As a note, the truck is driven 5 miles to work and back and around town. Only on the road about once every two months for long drives of 75 to 80 mph. I know this is not good, but want to get on a regular routine for cleaning the piston heads of carbon.
Any help with these problems is greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds like maybe you have a V6, which one, and what year, on the later 4.0 its easier to remove the front wheel and go through the fender well.

 

Sorry, forgot to mention that. Yeah 2001 4.0E engine. Haven't tried removing the wheel. does that give you a clean shot to the plug?

 

Not sure on your 01, but on an 02, it doesn't give a clean shot, but helps a bunch.

 

Thanks for the replies on the spark plug issue.

I'm surprised I haven't heard anything on the engine issue. Am I the only one that has had this issue with the engine? Hope to hear from someone on that.

Thanks again.

 

I'd say double dose the Seafoam in a tank of premium fuel then run it a bit hard on the open highway...........hows your fuel filter?

 

On my 99 b4000 I used a 3in. extention with a swivel and the socket attached came right out and back in.


Rock n roll I assume you mean the engine is moving? Maybe a broke or loose motor mount??

 

The spark plugs are a pain to get to even on the 3.0. Extensions, swivel headed ratchet with an extra long handle and a swivel adapter are how I got mine out heh.

Rocking and rolling. That to me really sounds like a busted motor mount. Happens when you have a really torquey motor and you step on it a lot. Could you define more on this rocking and rolling?

 

The rocking and rolling is more of a real bad hesitation. I too originally thought it was motor mounts but I had them checked out and they are fine.
As for the fuel filter, I did change it about 25K ago.
Thanks for the responses

 

The hesitation could be many things, from small to major. Couple things I would try are: Cleaning the air box (replacing the air filter). Cleaning the air intake tube (blowing it out with compressed air). Adding a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to your next fill up. Half a tank of premium gas (or more, don't want to do this too often).

It could be that your cam position synchro is going out, however if that were the case you would most likely have a check engine light. A stuffed up exhaust system would do that too but again the O2 sensors would throw a code as well.

Its hopefully nothing serious but you should consider checking your coolant for oil and oil for coolant as hesitation is one of many signs of a leaking head gasket.