When to change spark plugs

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Nov 23, 2002 | 07:40 AM

rduartes

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When to change spark plugs

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-Nov-02 AT 08:42 AM (EST)]Dear reader,

I have a f-150 lariat 01 with 20k miles. From some of the responses that I read on this board it appears that changing the plugs is no easy task at all. At what milage should I be looking to change my plugs? And also, is it as labor intensive as I have read?

Thanks for your inputs.

R

Nov 23, 2002 | 09:22 AM

Ultramagdan

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From: Kansas

When to change spark plugs

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-Nov-02 AT 10:22 AM (EST)]https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID93/2518.html

Click on the above and see if that answers your question.

Dec 1, 2002 | 12:39 PM

jlillie

Mountain Pass

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From: Cape Coral USA

When to change spark plugs

I just changed the plugs on my 5.4 last weekend. My truck has 72K on it and the plugs were toast. The plugs Deffinitly need to be changed way before the recommended 100k miles.
It took me about 3hours after reading Dans "how to"
~john

Dec 1, 2002 | 04:47 PM

AegisSailor

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From: White Sands, NM

When to change spark plugs

I, too, was hesitant to tackle my plugs and wires after reading some of the posts on here. I have a 4.2L V6 with almost 60k on it. The plugs are pretty accesable on the V6, so all I was really worried about is the plugs breaking off while still int he head due to rust.

Let me tell you, I'm sure glad I changed them now, because they were in bad shape. The tips of 3 of them broke off just pulling the plugs wires off!!! Fortunatly the plugs backed out of the holes ok, but they were rusty.

All in all the operation wasn't so bad. It took about 2 hours (mainly because I had scour the block for someone who had a feeler gauge that measured .054). On the V6 there is plenty of room to get to the plugs as long as you have an extention for the ratchet. There are no individual coil packs like the V8. In fact the hardest part was getting those STUPID wire retainers loose.

Dec 1, 2002 | 08:43 PM

Ultramagdan

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From: Kansas

When to change spark plugs

You mentioned the feeler gauge. The NGK Iridiums I used, specifically state not to use a feeler gauge due to the tip being so small that you may break it.

I did try and slide a few feelers in there and the gap is huge. Way behind spec. But I left them alone. The end is tiny. Like 1/4 the size of a plat plug.

Dec 2, 2002 | 02:27 PM

AegisSailor

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From: White Sands, NM

When to change spark plugs

That's odd. They didn't suggest any other way to measure the gap? I can't imangine putting plugs in with a random gap width!

Dec 20, 2002 | 02:44 PM

jminnick

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From: Frostburg USA

When to change spark plugs

I recommend changing them around every 30,000 miles I know that sounds like a pain but this will help out in keeping them from rusting and will give your truck better performance and gas mileage having fresh plugs all the time and not to mention a lot safer and cheaper in the long run.