2004 Explorer V6 Coil/wires/plugs

[fastfiddler1625]

2004 Ford Explorer Limited 4X4 4.0L V6 K-Flex

I'd like to open up a discussion on the topic of ignition and plugs with these Explorers. In basically everything '95 and later if you run pretty much anything but Motorcraft plugs, especially Bosch, you end up with a CF of problems including miss-firing and check engine lights. My family has a 95, a 98, a 2004 and a 2006. We used to have a 91 that was fine with the Bosch 4 prongs. The 95 and 98 both had the above problem with Bosch plugs.

In this forum and other places I have seen that the newer Explorers also do not like anything but Motorcraft Platinums. I bought this explorer last August at 70K and now it has about 82K miles. I was averaging a horrible 14mpg city over the last several months. I decided it was time for a tune-up and replaced the plugs with the same old Motorcraft platinums. I actually did gap them as the Hanes manual says to: to .054". The ones that came out did not look extremely old, but were at the gap the new ones came with: about .044". I have noticed a possible increase in mileage already (same fuel in the tank). I've been getting 16.5-17MPG now in the city.

Anyway, to the point. I'm wondering if we know what the voltage is on the stock ignition coil in our V6 2004 Explorers. Based on whatever that says, I'm wondering if the common problem caused by these other plugs could possibly be caused by the stock coil not being able to handle the voltage/amperage required. Has anyone had any luck with upgrading the ignition coil and/or plugs/wires without causing a complete engine freak out?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tower]

I have found that Motorcraft Platinums work the best. I have had a lot of luck with the Screamin' Demon Coil. I have used a few different wires it seems that as long as they are good quality it did not matter (I currently use DENSO).

 

[gamecocks]

ive had autolites in for a while now with no issues, been reading up on the screamin deamon coil so ill give that a shot

 

[Black92LX]

I just put in Autolite coppers with motorcraft wires.
With 112,00 miles on the factory platinum's I figured it was time.

Got a little bit of a smoother idle but saw no change in mpg. Still get 15mpg no matter what.

 

[43]

i did a 110,000 mile tune up on mine, did the PCV valve and fuel filter first, was getting pretty dang good milage, like 17-18. then came the bosh platinum double tipped spark plugs. Back down to my old 14.6 mpg. the spark plugs that were in before were the original ones. The rough idle problem is gone, and it idles at a lower RPM. seems to run a little smoother too. but the mpg is just plain bad.