00' 5.0L AWD V8 - Changing Plugs

[DC Larson]

Anyone know of a write-up or know some hints at changing the plugs on my wifes Merc? All set up for Sea-Foam...want to do the plugs this weekend also.

Thanks

 

[techieman33]

The plugs are a cake walk. Just take out the inner fender lining, they'll be right there in front of you, you just need a long extension. It's a half hour job.

 

[DC Larson]

Thanks guy...I appreciate it. Just got the plugs from the Ford Dealer in town. $7.50 a piece!!!! The number is AGSF 32 M. That sound right? Last time I guess I bought plugs they were like $1.50!

 

[Hokie]

Yeah, the Motorcraft platinum's are pretty expensive. Wait till you see the price of the plug wires. Our distributors have weird ends on them so the wires are expensive.

You have to pull the inner splash/guard fender liner. Its held in by those plastic "christmas tree" clips that you just pull out. I think there are 4/5 clips per liner.

Removing the wheel can make getting to the plugs easier, but I was able to change all of mine without pulling the wheel and I have 32's.

Heck, I had to change a plug and wire in a parking lot on the side of the road b/c one of my wires got burnt

Lesson learned: play close attention to the high temperature "socks" that go over the wires and make sure that they are not rubbing against the exhaust manifolds.

Don't forget never-seez on the plug threads

 

[DC Larson]

Thanks Again...A friend just told me that a parts house in town stocks Motorcraft. I called and gave him the number I had. $3.99 vs $7.44 at the Ford Garage. I'm definitely taking them back. I thot you had to get Ford products at the dealership.

I hope I got the right size socket at home. It's actually been a while since I've had to change plugs in a vehicle...watch...none of my sockets will fit and I'll have to run back in town for one.

Thanks again you guys!

 

[techieman33]

The dealerships mark that stuff way up. They quoted me $237 for a set of plug wires, you can get the same ones for about $135 at oreilly's or $98 online. It's crazy how much prices can differ from place to place.

 

[CougarX]

You'll need a 5/8", deep well socket for the plugs. You'll also need a couple of extensions as well. A 3/8" swivel/u-joint will make it a lot easier too, but is not neccesary.

If you pull the wheel off and pull the small rubber/flexible liner out (leave the larger hard plastic liner) you should be able to get to them very easy.

Take care when removing the spark plug boots. Make sure they are unstuck from the plugs (twist back and forth) before trying to pull them off and make sure to pull on the boot only, don't pull on the wire! Put some dielectric grease on the boots to keep them from doing this again and don't over tighten your new plugs. Only a little past hand tight is all thats needed. Make sure to gap all the plugs too. Sometimes the parts store will tell you that they are pregapped, but I have bought both Autolite and Motorcraft plugs and neither were correctly pregapped for the Explorers. Gap should be 0.054".

If the parts store you go to has Autolite Double Platinum plugs you can get those as well if they are any cheaper then Motorcraft. Autolite makes Motorcraft plugs so you're just paying extra for the Ford name.

 

[BLKLTDV8]

Just did the plugs in my 00 Mountaineer 5.0 2 days ago and it was cake. Just do as the others say, it really couldn't be easier. My Mounty had the originals in there at 107k miles and they were more than shot. I measured the gaps at between .075 and .080 on all of them. It runs so much better now, also did the fuel filter while I was messing around. I jacked it up and took the wheels off but its not really necessary. You will need a swivel for the second plug back on the drivers side, the shock tower is in the way for a straight shot.

 

[2001gt]

make sure you seafoam first, then change plugs. You don't want to gunk up those new plugs.

 

[DC Larson]

Yup...did the Seafoam first and then the plugs. Wasn't any prob's with PCV cept that when I found it it wasn't even in the manifold hole. I first found the open hole then the pcv & hose laying around. Not sure if I knocked it off or what. After I ran a full can thru and shut it off, I reached in to put the pcv valve back in. That manifold hole was full of liquid...that ok?? When I put the pcv back in that hole to be ready to start it up. That didn't seem right, but it worked out. The Merc should have been fully warmed up tho. Next time, now I know.

Plugs were easy. Took the wheels off like you say. The hardest part is those little plastic grommet things holding on that rubber skirt. I hate them damn things. I can never get those off without damaging something. Ripped a little of the rubber crap. Scraped up hands. Plugs looked good and used for 86,000 miles. I checked gap also. .75 and bigger on all. I thot it would start a little easy but doesn't seem to. Kinda labored. Gas Filter???

I had a gas filter but didn't get it on. Is that a chore? I see in the box a little gizmo to get the old filter off. It's under the passenger side frame rail, right? I really can't remember if this one has been changed since we've owned it. +60k miles...

 

[BLKLTDV8]

I had a gas filter but didn't get it on. Is that a chore? I see in the box a little gizmo to get the old filter off. It's under the passenger side frame rail, right? I really can't remember if this one has been changed since we've owned it. +60k miles...

You need the fuel rail release tool to take the fuel filter off. They are usually round plastic split tools that open up then wrap around the line. You push the tool into the fitting to release the round spring clip and the line pops right off. Takes all of 2-3 minutes if done right. The lines just click back over the fitting of the fuel filter. Mine had all kinds of junk in it, and its suggested you change them at least every 30k miles. I bought a set of the fuel line tools for about 10 bucks in the auto parts store. They are handy to have around. I would also clean your throttle body out, it makes a big difference in throttle response and starting. Don't pay any attention to that sticker on the throttle body saying not to clean it--haha, its total BS!! The Ford techs have a good laugh over those. BTW, the fuel filter is on the drivers side frame rail about a foot behind the front tire.