Plug Wear Difference
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 392
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Plug Wear Difference
I changed my plugs and wires (for the first time at 95,000 miles) and were definitely ready to be changed.
All plugs on the passenger side looked good with good coloration and even wear.
All plugs on the driver side were grayish and seemed to have a little more wear. Is this normal?
Also, when checking the timing, the timing light strobe pulses sporadically on the passenger side, but double pulses on the drivers side. Again, normal or cause for concern?
All plugs on the passenger side looked good with good coloration and even wear.
All plugs on the driver side were grayish and seemed to have a little more wear. Is this normal?
Also, when checking the timing, the timing light strobe pulses sporadically on the passenger side, but double pulses on the drivers side. Again, normal or cause for concern?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 942
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From: South Texas
Double pulse is normal as this is a wasted spark system, meaning the coil fires both cylinders of the pair together. One is on the compression stroke (normal) and the other is on the exhaust stroke (no harm what-so-ever)
As for the sporadic pick-up on the passenger side, try flipping the direction of timing light pick-up clamp and see if the polarity makes any difference.
I wouldn't be too concerned over the wear differential unless is is a radical difference, which then may indicate something is really out of whack between the 2 banks (such as an intake leak on one side). If it runs good and no codes, I would'nt sweat it.
Dialtone
As for the sporadic pick-up on the passenger side, try flipping the direction of timing light pick-up clamp and see if the polarity makes any difference.
I wouldn't be too concerned over the wear differential unless is is a radical difference, which then may indicate something is really out of whack between the 2 banks (such as an intake leak on one side). If it runs good and no codes, I would'nt sweat it.
Dialtone
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 392
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Since it is a wasted spark, I was wondering if that caused the difference. The wear isn't so different as the color is. So since the plug wires on the drivers side are shorter, it must get more of the energy than the passenger side. This would also explain why the timing light fires easier on the drivers side than on the passengers.
Just to note, I did not experience the timing light issue on the old set of wires & plugs. Perhaps the old set have something built in to equalize the resistance for wire length, while the replacements (also Ford Motorcraft) do not?
I considered an intake air leak and re-torqued all the intake manifold bolts to spec. I have a slight ping (especially at mid-warm up temperatures) which was not affected after re-torquing. Of course, it will be impossible to see the results on plug wear this soon.
Thanks for the input and I leave this issue as "normal" to the system.
Just to note, I did not experience the timing light issue on the old set of wires & plugs. Perhaps the old set have something built in to equalize the resistance for wire length, while the replacements (also Ford Motorcraft) do not?
I considered an intake air leak and re-torqued all the intake manifold bolts to spec. I have a slight ping (especially at mid-warm up temperatures) which was not affected after re-torquing. Of course, it will be impossible to see the results on plug wear this soon.
Thanks for the input and I leave this issue as "normal" to the system.
