Plug change, yes or no.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 0
Plug change, yes or no.
Truck is 6 years old, will be in July anyway. Has under 11,000 miles on it. Haven't driven it much and when it was driven, it was mostly short hops. It sat parked in the garage at one point for 9 mos. I am driving it pretty much daily now. Would you change the plugs due to the age, or would you do it based on mileage and wait for who knows how many more years?
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Mines an 04' with a little over 36k miles and I think I'm going to change the plugs this summer. Plugs are good yet I just don't trust to leave them in aluminum heads for so long. I would pull each plug, put a dab of anti-seize on them and retorgue. Put some dielectric grease on the boots and your set. At the very least make shure they are still tight.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 6
From: Richmond BC
i would change em just cuz the length of time they have been in there...
not due to mileage...
u could reuse em, but for what new plugs cost, i'd just replace em..
just make sure to torque em to the correct number. that seems to be the most vital part...
not due to mileage...
u could reuse em, but for what new plugs cost, i'd just replace em..
just make sure to torque em to the correct number. that seems to be the most vital part...
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 0
If I recall, the label on my motor says April 03, as a mfg date. Would I have the longer thread heads? What plugs do these motors like? I assume Motorcraft is sufficient? I mean, is there anything that has proved to be better, in performance as well as threads? anything to definitely stay away from?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 46
From: Kemmerer, Wyoming
Stay away from anything that doesn't say Motorcraft or Autolite. Both are reputed to do the job in the modulars. I put in the high-end Autolite XP Iridiums, but the Autolite Double Platinums would work just fine.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
With an april 03' manufactur date I'd say you have the extra threads. Get Motorcraft or autolite single pplatinum plugs. I prefer Motorcraft because of the better plating they use. (Nickel plating I believe)
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Hudson, NH
I don't know if a 6+ year old V10 uses COP or not. It it does not I would suggest replacing the wires as well...They tend to get cracked and nasty around the 6-7 year mark.
---Aaron
---Aaron
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
They have COP's on it. Make sure to change the boots, as it is also cheap insurance too after 6 years....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,517
Likes: 910
From: Home Base Nebraska
Truck is 6 years old, will be in July anyway. Has under 11,000 miles on it. Haven't driven it much and when it was driven, it was mostly short hops. It sat parked in the garage at one point for 9 mos. I am driving it pretty much daily now. Would you change the plugs due to the age, or would you do it based on mileage and wait for who knows how many more years?
Denny
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I changed the plugs in the explorer the other year. An 03' with 60k miles at the time with aluminum heads. Every plug squealed like a pig the whole way out. Luckily none galled fast but I was careful.
Every modular I know of uses COPS.
I don't know if a 6+ year old V10 uses COP or not. It it does not I would suggest replacing the wires as well...They tend to get cracked and nasty around the 6-7 year mark.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River, Alaska
Swan, your correct. The 4.6 in the T-bird we have(95 or so)has wires, and its a modular. Just several, less a few tenths of CCs smaller.
Imo, the rig with less than 11,000 on it should be fine, and not messed with. To go though the motions of a plug change would be time most likely, not well spent(when you do change them have all the parts and tools on hand. A air source is very advisable, for blowing out the plug area after removing the COPs and boots). Unless you have anxiety related to, not knowing if somethings tight? Any one check there shock bolts or U-bolts lately? I jest really.
I would think following the recommended(on this site) replacement interval, should be just fine. Considering the great care(non use) the rig has had,the limited miles, and the year of the heads. The thread issue some have had, I believe was taken care of by that build date. With out looking it up here, the date eludes me.
Any one have the thread change date in mind?
Best wishes.
Imo, the rig with less than 11,000 on it should be fine, and not messed with. To go though the motions of a plug change would be time most likely, not well spent(when you do change them have all the parts and tools on hand. A air source is very advisable, for blowing out the plug area after removing the COPs and boots). Unless you have anxiety related to, not knowing if somethings tight? Any one check there shock bolts or U-bolts lately? I jest really.
I would think following the recommended(on this site) replacement interval, should be just fine. Considering the great care(non use) the rig has had,the limited miles, and the year of the heads. The thread issue some have had, I believe was taken care of by that build date. With out looking it up here, the date eludes me.
Any one have the thread change date in mind?
Best wishes.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Boise id
i have been thinking about changing my plugs as well, yet i havent done it because of the aluminum head thread stripping horror stories. From what i get from this thread is that since mine is a 2003 i have the longer threads and should be ok? It has 70,000 miles on it and i'm avg. about 8.5 mpg w/35" tires, and i drive SLOW.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 46
From: Kemmerer, Wyoming
Your crappy mileage is due to the 35" tires. Don't know what you're gearing is, but 9 times out of 10 when you add tire size you need to regear.
As for the plugs, I changed mine in my '01 last year, the factory plugs had 130,000 miles on them. Some of them were in there pretty tight, but I managed to get them all out without issues. It wouldn't hurt to do a plug change, but I doubt you really need it.
FYI, my truck gets 8 mpg too... in town. That's normal.
As for the plugs, I changed mine in my '01 last year, the factory plugs had 130,000 miles on them. Some of them were in there pretty tight, but I managed to get them all out without issues. It wouldn't hurt to do a plug change, but I doubt you really need it.
FYI, my truck gets 8 mpg too... in town. That's normal.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
i have been thinking about changing my plugs as well, yet i havent done it because of the aluminum head thread stripping horror stories. From what i get from this thread is that since mine is a 2003 i have the longer threads and should be ok? It has 70,000 miles on it and i'm avg. about 8.5 mpg w/35" tires, and i drive SLOW.