getting ready to do a plug change
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#8
Did some looking on Rock Auto and they have the plugs and boots in stock but not the plug wires that go from the upper to lower plug. It was $106 for the 16 plugs and 8 boots. I have a Rock Auto coupon to use up by the 24th so I might just order the plugs and boots to get the coupon used up and buy the wires at a later date if they don't come into stock.
ETA. Rock Auto doesn't list a Motorcraft option for the plug wires, they have Denso which is listed as the OE replacement. Are these any good or should I just go to the dealership and get MC branded wires?
ETA. Rock Auto doesn't list a Motorcraft option for the plug wires, they have Denso which is listed as the OE replacement. Are these any good or should I just go to the dealership and get MC branded wires?
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FWIW, my spark plugs always get changed at 50,000 miles (about 4 years) with either Motorcraft or NGK plugs. Plug wires (on cars that have them) get changed at 100,000 miles. Coil over plugs are left alone until they go bad. Plugs threads and base get a very, very light coat of nickel antiseize. Plug tip that contacts coil gets dielectric grease and inside of coil over plugs or plug wires get dielectric grease. Plugs are torqued by feel with my right hand.
Yeah, this wastes good plugs but I keep my cars/trucks longer than many people and I don't want to wrestle stuck coil over plugs or stuck plugs at 100,000 miles (8 years). And since I use a very very small amount of antiseize I throw the torque spec out the window. Aluminum threads can be so touchy that I prefer a little lube to prevent galling and I'm more comfortable feeling my way than using a torque wrench on such delicate threads.
Antifreeze gets changed every 4 years. Brake and power steering gets changed every 2 to 4 years. Tranny fluid gets changes at half the owner manual's given interval. I can't stand popping a hood and seeing nasty fluid and in my mind, cars/truck parts last longer this way.
Yeah, this wastes good plugs but I keep my cars/trucks longer than many people and I don't want to wrestle stuck coil over plugs or stuck plugs at 100,000 miles (8 years). And since I use a very very small amount of antiseize I throw the torque spec out the window. Aluminum threads can be so touchy that I prefer a little lube to prevent galling and I'm more comfortable feeling my way than using a torque wrench on such delicate threads.
Antifreeze gets changed every 4 years. Brake and power steering gets changed every 2 to 4 years. Tranny fluid gets changes at half the owner manual's given interval. I can't stand popping a hood and seeing nasty fluid and in my mind, cars/truck parts last longer this way.
#12
65 Ford has good points... but miles are not the issue most of the time.
replace WHEN condition calls for it. check, recheck and recheck again.
big difference between.. 8,000 miles a year.. and 40,000 miles per year.
like this Ford truck.. first 3 years 136,000 miles.. now 8,000 miles per year.
I keep everything a very long time
last car 19 years and 255,000 miles, Ohio Salt eat it.
last motorcycle 18 years and 149,000 miles. I totaled in in a rain storm.
both never had its engine opened up. both still had original clutch
replace WHEN condition calls for it. check, recheck and recheck again.
big difference between.. 8,000 miles a year.. and 40,000 miles per year.
like this Ford truck.. first 3 years 136,000 miles.. now 8,000 miles per year.
I keep everything a very long time
last car 19 years and 255,000 miles, Ohio Salt eat it.
last motorcycle 18 years and 149,000 miles. I totaled in in a rain storm.
both never had its engine opened up. both still had original clutch
#13
True that. People often worry too much about miles. Years in winter road salt are more important in vehicle lifespan. Excellent maintenance and cleaning all areas will get you to 19-20 years. Super duper ridiculous efforts at fighting corrosion will get a few more years.
Spark plugs last 100,000 miles or 8 years no problem. Main reason I change them is to put on fresh dielectric grease and anti seize on relevant parts. Also gives me a chance to check on chamber welfare. I like to check plugs for oil, fouling, etc and I scope the piston tops for any bad stuff. I like to check stuff so I can schedule repairs instead of being surprised.
#14
Just an update. I went ahead and ordered all the parts I need to do the plug change. I went with the MC plugs, a set of MC wires and the Denso boots.
I wanted MC boots but I called my local dealer and they looked it up and told me Ford doesn't sell the boots separate for my engine so I went with the Denso.
When it was all said and done it cost me a little less than $200 for everything. I though about not changing the boots or wires but figured since everything will be apart I just as well change everything.
I wanted MC boots but I called my local dealer and they looked it up and told me Ford doesn't sell the boots separate for my engine so I went with the Denso.
When it was all said and done it cost me a little less than $200 for everything. I though about not changing the boots or wires but figured since everything will be apart I just as well change everything.