06/3Ltr Ranger When to change plugs

[AndyF]

I've got 31000 kms on my truck now. Checked manual for plug suggestions and they state only use Ford parts, "or equivalent",yada yada.

The truck seems to be running great and consumption is good, but I've got a lot of Km's on my plugs, and of course the snow and cold season is here. Maybe I'd change the PCV valve too.

I was thinking of putting in some platinum plugs, which would be better than anything Ford can come up with, (even though they would never admit it ).

I hate it when they hold us hostage with their warranty threat whenever we try to venture away from Ford. Days of the home maintenance guy are over I guess.

Think I should change them?

AndyF

 

[dmac0923]

not sure on the conversion from kms to miles, but i wouldnt worry about changing plugs till about 50,000-75,000 miles. of course it cant hurt to pull a couple to check on their wear.

 

[rwenzing]

I've got 31000 kms on my truck now. Checked manual for plug suggestions and they state only use Ford parts, "or equivalent",yada yada.

The truck seems to be running great and consumption is good, but I've got a lot of Km's on my plugs, and of course the snow and cold season is here. Maybe I'd change the PCV valve too.

Think I should change them?

No, your spark plugs have lots of life left in them. The recommended change interval is 100,000 miles (~160,000 km). IMO, that interval is a little optimistic and I change mine at 80,000 miles.

The recommended change interval for the PCV is also 100,000 miles.

I was thinking of putting in some platinum plugs, which would be better than anything Ford can come up with, (even though they would never admit it ).

You are misinformed. All factory installed Ford spark plugs in North America are platinum plugs. The stock Ford Motorcraft plugs are excellent and would be a good choice for replacements when the time comes.

 

[aldive]

You are nowhere near needing to change your plugs.

 

[mikeh44]

thats only 19263 miles you can go at least to 31069 km to think about it but not to hard

 

[Ranger Al]

If you do change the plug, replace it with Motorcraft orginal plugs. You do not have to go to Ford to get the Motorcraft. Most of the auto parts stores carry it at reasonable price.

I replaced mine with "autolite" and made my life a living hell! Go to Auto zone and get Motorcraft and it is a change from night to day!

 

[Red FX4]

I replaced mine with "autolite" and made my life a living hell! Go to Auto zone and get Motorcraft and it is a change from night to day!

I don't understand why you had problems with the Autolite plugs. They are equivalent to Motorcraft. I installed Autolite double platinum plugs at around 60,000 miles and at close to 80,000 miles now I have no problems at all with the Autolite plugs.

BTW, what is an '00 FX4 Ranger? Not trying to be a smart a$$, just curious.

 

[Ranger Al]

I don't understand why you had problems with the Autolite plugs. They are equivalent to Motorcraft. I installed Autolite double platinum plugs at around 60,000 miles and at close to 80,000 miles now I have no problems at all with the Autolite plugs.

BTW, what is an '00 FX4 Ranger? Not trying to be a smart a$$, just curious.

Don't know what "FX4" mean, but I suppose it is "four by 4" Ford is the only company uses FX4 could be Ford X 4, should be simple enough.

I replaced Autolite and it is not equivalent to Motorcraft. It was the same double platinum as yours. Who know, you may just got lucky.

 

[Red FX4]

Don't know what "FX4" mean, but I suppose it is "four by 4" Ford is the only company uses FX4 could be Ford X 4, should be simple enough.

I replaced Autolite and it is not equivalent to Motorcraft. It was the same double platinum as yours. Who know, you may just got lucky.

I have been around Fords and Ford loving people for a long time and Autolite spark plugs have been considered equivalent to Motorcraft through those years. You may have had a bad experience with Autolite spark plugs but that does not make them bad in general. Something else may have contributed to the problem.

I recently had a problem with a spark plug in my wifes 99 Cougar. I had installed Autolite plugs at 80,000 miles and they worked fine for around 10,000 miles. Suddenly it got a slight misfire. That was narrowed own to number 3 cylinder. The spark plug was tracking (arcing down the side between the ceramic insulation and the boot). A new spark plug was installed and the problem was solved.

The spark plug was sent in for analysis and it was determined there was nothing wrong with the plug itself. Since the spark plug wires were also new (Motocraft) it was determined that some contamination (possibly hair or lint) got in there during installation and slowly converted to carbon and eventually created a secondary conductive path for the spark to follow. This created a weak spark at the tip of the plug and caused the misfire. Conclusion was that any plug with the same condition would have done the same thing. The Autolite was not defective.

I was not asking the definition of FX4. I guess I was not clear in my question. I know what an FX4 Ranger is but Ford did not come out with them until 2002. When I saw your vehicle labeled as a '00 FX4 Range I was curious if you made the modifications to make it equivalent to an FX4 or did you just add the FX4 decal.