My truck is coming up on 60K miles, and I'm wondering when I should be changing my spark plugs? I've never dealt with these newer engines and platinum plugs. They apperently last a lot longer than the plugs of yesterday?

My truck has a 2001 4.0 SOHC

And where the heck can I find OEM plugs (other than the screw-learship) ?

Is there any online shops I can get OEM plugs?

Does anyone recommend an aftermarket plug?

Thanks,

B.

 

IMO, at 60K it's probably about time to start thinking about new plugs.

You should be able to get the Motorcraft double platinum plugs at AutoZone. They might have to order them, though. MC also makes a newer "fine metal" plug that is supposed to be as good or better than the DP.

Autolite is a Motorcraft clone, a pair of their double platinums will also work well. Advance Auto, Checkers, Schuck's, Kragen's all carry them, as does Napa.

 

Thaks for the reply...

Autozone doesn't list the Motorcraft as available online, however they may order them as you say.

I've used Autolite in my older Fords, and I've had good luck with them.

I was just wondering when would be the best time to change them.
As luck would have it, none of my local stores had the right plug on the shelf.
I'm really getting tired of my local shops being out of stuff and over-priced so I've been looking online to purchase.


Thanks,

 

what about a 98 4.0? I got 55k miles on mine. I'm hoping it fixes my gas milage problem and cold starting I get on occasion.

 

i've had good experience buying from rockauto.com ... they list 19 different sparkplugs for your engine with a wide range of prices (autolite, motorcraft,champion,ngk,etc.)

 

depends on the type of plug.
regular---------->30k miles
platinum--------->60k miles
double platinum-->100k miles

 

I wouldn't go any longer than 60k miles on a plug change. Anything after that and you'll probably be having lots of trouble getting them out...possibly buying a new set of heads.

 

Per the maintenance schedule supplied by Ford when I bought my truck new, my 94 with a 4.0 was scheduled for replacment of spark plugs @ 100,000 miles. I keep an eye on my gas mileage, since after all that's a good barometer of condition of things such as plugs, and I intended to run it to 100,000 miles. At 89,000 miles I got bored and curious since nothing adverse was happening, and I decided to just replace them at an oil change. I found they had not reached the upper end of the recommended gap, engine performance was not suffering, gas mileage was consistent over several 10,000's of miles of driving, and, overall they would have gone the 100,000 miles. With almost 171,000 miles on the clock it basically runs as good today as it did the day I bought it. Just some food for thought....................

 

It's always been my experience that nothing lasts forever, so replacing them a little sooner would be a plus. Besides... I typically perform maintenance sooner than the manual says. I guess it depends on where you are and how you drive etc...

Good point on not getting the plugs out... Never thought of that!

I have the factory plugs in my 2001: AGSF-34P. Are these single platinum, double ?


THanks,

B.

 

one P means Platinum

 

The factory plugs are actually designed a little bit different than then the OEM replacements. This is from a post by Bob Ayers out of the 3.0L V6 Forum that describes it better than I could:
So the factory plugs, in essence, only have patinum on them where it is needed, based on the direction (polarity) of the spark. However, in order to avoid improper installation of OEM replacements by people like myself, they are made instead with a "double" dose of platinum (i.e., it's put on both electrodes), which means that the replacement plugs can be put in either bank and the platinum will still be were it is most needed.

 

Wow... Now I feel educated!

Thanks for the great info. I think I'll order the double platinums. The price between them and the single platinum is negligible.

B.

 

'01 4.0. I change my plugs every 50k, wires at 100k. I plan on keeping this Ranger for a very long time. Napa carries OEM plugs, but it seems like they are never in stock. I currently run NKG and have not had any problems.

 

Jared brings up a point here which is of interest to me.
Over the years, I have developed a habit of using anti-seize compound on sparkplugs, bolts, etc. which are threaded into anything aluminum (having had a couple of past experiences which necessitated helicoiling). Ordinarily, I would have pulled the plugs on my truck when it was brand-new, and would have applied anti-seize and re-installed. However, I am older now, and find no joy in working on my own vehicles any more; and one look at the right bank of plugs on my 4.0L convinced me that I wanted no part of replacing the plugs on this truck; would leave it to someone younger and better equiped to perform the service. However, in the back of my mind lingered this dread thought of stripping the threads in the aluminum heads if one were to actually wait until 100,000 miles to change the plugs as the manual states.
So - what say you all? Shall I bite the bullet and "get 'er done", or shall I wait and take my chances at 100,000 miles (actually will probably be done sooner than that - say maybe around 60,000)????

Anyone have any input to offer regarding the benefits of anti-seize compound, etc.??? Perhaps I should have started a new thread regarding this topic?

Thanks.
Thumper47

 

Interesting question. I have asked several diffferent Ford Techs this same question, as well as a few Chevy and Dodge mechanics, and I even posted this question myself at FRT a while back, and every single person who gave feedback on the anti-sieze issue had a slightly different answer.

Some Techs swore by it in all cases. Others said they would only use it on aluminum heads (i.e., different metals coming together). Still others said they would never use it because (supposedly) it can contribute to plugs blowing out the heads, particularly in the 4.6L and 5.4L. Honestly, I actually came away from it all more confused then when I started!

Anyway, my policy is to put a small dab on the plug threads before I put them in.