E450 Superduty spark plug change - help!

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Oct 27, 2006 | 06:43 AM

bgsats

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E450 Superduty spark plug change - help!

I've spent quite a while searching for info. on doing a spark plug change on a V10, seen the excellent guides and photos and taken note of the procedures. But is there really room to do it on ny E450 based RV, as access is almost non-existant? Can it be done without disturbing the engine mountings? I can attack the plugs either from the hood or by removing the cover inside the cab - obviously some from each. There is virtually no room above the plugs and coils, and to make matters worse, a propane conversion kit has been (professionally) fitted, and much of the equipment is in the way. My local Ford dealer here in the UK has refused the job, without even seeing the vehicle, and wouldn't give a reason.

Oct 27, 2006 | 11:09 AM

Fredvon4

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The reason is time for the labor to remove the propane kit out of the way and not having the trained propane installers... touchy deal working on a fuel sub-system and causing a fire or loss of life where the customer will definitely come back with a law suit.... And of course if they told you the normal shop time is 2-5 hours and an add on of 2 hours for the propane they would be charging you in the 400-700 dollar neighbor hood to change a set of plugs... you probably would have an argument

E series is hard enough with out the extra plumbing and wires to work around.

I have never done it on an E series but did take a gander under the hood of one a few years back and decided I never want the E-series based motor coach just because the maintenance is such a pain..

Sorry no help from me on how to do it... with out the propane kit the plugs are replaced the regular fashion with out dropping the motor... lots of perseverance and all sorts of tool variations are necessary...lots of cussing and I highly recommend magnetized tools to keep from dropping all the little COP screws in bad places... Good Luck!

Oct 27, 2006 | 12:42 PM

bgsats

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Thanks for the reply, Fredvon4! Actually the garage which refused the job wasn't aware of the propane conversion at all - they refused it before I had chance to tell them about it! Lokks as though I'll just have to get on with it! There are other garages where I could get it done, but how many can you trust to do it right?

Oct 27, 2006 | 01:14 PM

Fredvon4

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I hear you sir...

Getting cold up there... wear good gloves and take your time...

Noting wrong with doing one or two a weekend

Noting wrong with the warmth and attitude enhancement of a little brandy either!

Oct 27, 2006 | 01:48 PM

bgsats

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We don't get it that cold just here, a few frosty nights but rarely any snow (settled once in 10 years)! Still the brandy sounds tempting......
As for doing a couple at a time, could be a good idea, I work weekends and need the RV on the road, but that leaves me 5 days! Rain is the problem at the moment!

Oct 27, 2006 | 11:01 PM

captchas

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From: north west new jersey

what company built the truck and converated it to propane, sounds like you need to find a dealer or shop they know of to do the job

as one who was a dealer service manager. i have to back up fred's thought's and say i also would have refused it for the reasons fred stated. plus many dealers will and do refuse to work on nonstock vechicles for those very same safty reasons.good luck man. it's not going to be a easy job with all that extra plumbing.

Oct 27, 2006 | 11:40 PM

Racerguy

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From: BC, Canada

If you're going to tackle replacing the plugs yourself the first thing I always do on an E-van is remove the front seats. That way you can remove the engine cover easier and have more room to work. Vans aren't really all that bad to replace plugs on. Move or remove anything in the way, such as breather hoses etc.
Some propane conversions really make the job more difficult but some don't. A few years ago I replaced the heads on an E-van with the 6.8 on propane and was no harder than without the propane, other than a couple extra hoses.
If you're at all unsure about touching the propane system by all means find someone qualified to work on it. It's probably not going to be a problem but it has the potential to be. Make sure you shut off the valves on the propane tanks before you start working on it.
If it's a dual fuel conversion you can leave the valves shut off and drive it on gasoline to a shop that is certified to check out the propane system.