Advice on changing spark plugs.
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New User
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Advice on changing spark plugs.
I am changing my spark plugs on my 99 ranger 3.0. Is there anything other than the norm I should watch out for? any tips? I read somehwhere that there are two types of spark plugs. One set for each side of engine. I alsoi would like to know how to clean the carb and change injectors. I removed my intake and I looked inside the carb and it was filthy. I am purchasing a K&N kit next week and want to clean it by then. It also says on the carb" has special coating........do not clean". Please help.,
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
Use motorcraft plugs. Only the plugs from the factory are different. The OEM replacements are all the same, so just chekck the gap and pop them in.
Fuel injectors are not a maintenance item, leave them alone. At most, you might run a bottle of fuel inection system cleaner through the fuel tank.
Cleaning Your Throttle Body
Fuel injectors are not a maintenance item, leave them alone. At most, you might run a bottle of fuel inection system cleaner through the fuel tank.
Cleaning Your Throttle Body
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
i'm pretty sure your not carburerated. i found out the hard way that mine didn't like anything else other than motorcraft plugs. look in the owners manual for the p/n. and as far as injectors, if you use decent gas they should be ok.
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Correction......?
I went with the Autolight plugs and some new wires. I forget what a difference it makes. My truck went from hero to zero. And yea, I stand corrected, I said carb, meant throttle body. Thanx for the advice. Oh yea, I wrote that I was having major troubles earlier with my truck running. It was basically at what felt like half power. When I went to remove the plug wires, one of the electrodes had been seperated from the wire and wasnt making conrtact. This has corrected my fuel economy problem(duh), and all the details I now consider obvious with this sort of problem.
Last edited by riverjig; Oct 30, 2005 at 01:30 PM. Reason: forgot symtom
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
yea autolites are crap! i don't know what vehicle runs good with them but i know rangers don't.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
Autolite, a division of Honeywell, actually makes Motorcraft plugs.
A while back a Ford Tech and fellow FTE member emailed Honeywell and asked whether they also made Motorcraft plugs. Here is the response he got:
If there are differences in the plugs, it is because Ford probably requires that the Motorcrafts conform to tighter specs.
A while back a Ford Tech and fellow FTE member emailed Honeywell and asked whether they also made Motorcraft plugs. Here is the response he got:
"As a division of the Honeywell Corporation, Autolite is the manufacturer responsible for the production of all Motorcraft spark plugs in North America for the Ford Motor Company. Both Autolite and Ford/Motorcraft spark plugs are built to quality standards using quality components. Autolite manufactures the Motorcraft plugs based on the specific design requirements of the Ford Motor Company. Autolite and Motorcraft spark plugs are manufactured side-by-side at our facility in Northern Ohio."
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
Originally Posted by Rockledge
Autolite, a division of Honeywell, actually makes Motorcraft plugs.
A while back a Ford Tech and fellow FTE member emailed Honeywell and asked whether they also made Motorcraft plugs. Here is the response he got:
If there are differences in the plugs, it is because Ford probably requires that the Motorcrafts conform to tighter specs.
A while back a Ford Tech and fellow FTE member emailed Honeywell and asked whether they also made Motorcraft plugs. Here is the response he got:
If there are differences in the plugs, it is because Ford probably requires that the Motorcrafts conform to tighter specs.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by frdrngrlvr
my experience with autolites was very disapointing. i went to the local parts store one day for some spark-plugs and asked for motorcraft. they were out. so i opted for what they had, autolite. i gapped them to spec. installed them and off i went. the worst 400 miles my poor ranger ever went through followed. i really thought i screwed up one of the boots on the wires so i bought new wires but it still ran like crap! so i went back and got the motorcraft plugs that they were out of and walla, smooth as can be! so i would have to say that the motorcraft plugs must be made to higher specifications and the autolite are the bottom of the barrel.
IMO, one of the reasons a lot of Fords have issues with anything other than OEM-spec plugs is because of the DIS/EDIS ignition sytems, which are of the "waste spark" design. For one thing, the plugs in these systems actually fire twice as often as in other systems. See: Ford DIS & EDIS Ignition Systems
Last edited by Rockledge; Nov 1, 2005 at 09:02 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
Originally Posted by Rockledge
I've seen posts from others who share your opinion. In fact, I've read about many more instances where using anything other than Motorcraft plugs has led to problems in Fords. Bosch spark plugs are probably the most famous for working poorly in Fords, and Champion is not that far behind. (Of course, there will be people who swear by the Bosch plugs in their Fords, but lets not go there now).
IMO, one of the reasons a lot of Fords have issues with anything other than OEM-spec plugs is because of the DIS/EDIS ignition sytems, which are of the "waste spark" design. For one thing, the plugs in these systems actually fire twice as often as in other systems. See: Ford DIS & EDIS Ignition Systems
IMO, one of the reasons a lot of Fords have issues with anything other than OEM-spec plugs is because of the DIS/EDIS ignition sytems, which are of the "waste spark" design. For one thing, the plugs in these systems actually fire twice as often as in other systems. See: Ford DIS & EDIS Ignition Systems
, sorry. i also used nothing but ac delco stuff and fram ( yea, i'm that guy). the thing was gm seemed to work ok with that. my ranger is the first ford i've ever had and i ain't lookin back! but what i'm realizing is that it really don't like much other than motorcraft. right now i'm in need of an alternator so i'm guessing motorcraft but i know its gonna be big $. that is the downfall. however i think the goodyear (gator-back) serpentine-belt is better constructed than the motorcraft. by the way, i only use motorcraft oil-filters thanks to you guys!
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
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From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
Fellas:
The local parts store dude suggested that I consider (for my '94 2.3L 4-banger) to switch from the OEM platinium plugs (Motorcraft AWSF32PP) to an less expensive non-platinium "equivalent" plug replacement? Any thoughts or experiences with doing this?
I realize that the non-platinium plug won't last as long - but I pull them out and check their gap & 'never-seize' the threads twice a year anyway. At less than half the price of platinium plugs, I was wondering if anyone else has done this and faired well or not........
Thanks!
BarnieTrk
The local parts store dude suggested that I consider (for my '94 2.3L 4-banger) to switch from the OEM platinium plugs (Motorcraft AWSF32PP) to an less expensive non-platinium "equivalent" plug replacement? Any thoughts or experiences with doing this?
I realize that the non-platinium plug won't last as long - but I pull them out and check their gap & 'never-seize' the threads twice a year anyway. At less than half the price of platinium plugs, I was wondering if anyone else has done this and faired well or not........
Thanks!
BarnieTrk
Last edited by BarnieTrk; Nov 2, 2005 at 07:22 AM. Reason: additional thought