Change my own plugs? (V8)

[DsN]

The other day the old girl started acting up and a scan shows cylinder 4 misfiring. I checked my records and the last time the plugs were changed was Feb. 2007 ... about 65K miles ago. Anyway, the plugs have a lifetime warranty but it's about $100 labor for the same shop to replace them. My regular mechanic is MIA ... his shop is closed and notice of where he went on the door or on his voicemail.

I was considering doing it myself but I recall the nightmare it was on my old Probe. The plugs were near impossible to reach and it wasn't worth $100 or even $200 for the damn headache it caused me doing it myself.

So what do you guys think? Are the plugs manageable on a 2000 Mountaineer V8 without sending my blood pressure through the roof?

 

[JoeMahma]

The other day the old girl started acting up and a scan shows cylinder 4 misfiring. I checked my records and the last time the plugs were changed was Feb. 2007 ... about 65K miles ago. Anyway, the plugs have a lifetime warranty but it's about $100 labor for the same shop to replace them. My regular mechanic is MIA ... his shop is closed and notice of where he went on the door or on his voicemail.

I was considering doing it myself but I recall the nightmare it was on my old Probe. The plugs were near impossible to reach and it wasn't worth $100 or even $200 for the damn headache it caused me doing it myself.

So what do you guys think? Are the plugs manageable on a 2000 Mountaineer V8 without sending my blood pressure through the roof?

Very manageable if you take off the front wheel and inner fender skirt. Go after them through there and you'll be good to go.

 

[5.0]

So what do you guys think? Are the plugs manageable on a 2000 Mountaineer V8 without sending my blood pressure through the roof?

It's very easy to do. As JoeMahma said, jack it up and take off a tire to get to them through the fenderwell area. A long extension is helpful.

 

[SVTmountianeer]

I agree, very do able

 

[rollinstone]

Yeah...getting started is the hard part. Once you're in there you'll find it goes fairly well.

Extensions and swivels will help. Be careful not to crack a plug housing...just apply steady even pressure.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

+1.

Take off the wheel and the rubber inner flap over the control arm and go through the wheel well. A few extensions, a universal plug socket and 15 minutes a side is all it takes. It took me longer to change the wires than the plugs.

 

[71cutty455]

I'm about to change mine again soon and from what I recall when I did it the first time (keep in mind it was 4 yrs and 50k ago) I don't remember even having to remove the wheel to get to the plugs through the wheel well. It may vary vehicle to vehicle but there may be enough room to remove the splash guard and access the plugs while the wheel is still on as long as the wheel is turned the right way. Anyway good luck.

 

[aldive]

You CAN do it. Very easy when going through the wheel wells.

 

[blackout881]

mine are original, been in since 1998, and have 88k on them. dealer wanted $500 for the plugs wires and labor, i laughed. ive been trying to muster up the courage to do it myself, im just afraid of breaking the plug off in there since they're original! just been putting it off since it runs fine.

 

[aldive]

mine are original, been in since 1998, and have 88k on them. dealer wanted $500 for the plugs wires and labor, i laughed. ive been trying to muster up the courage to do it myself, im just afraid of breaking the plug off in there since they're original! just been putting it off since it runs fine.

You might have to cut the wires off and the plugs might be difficult to break loose.

Just stick with it; you can do it.

$500. That dealer is way out to lunch.

 

[Fox Fader]

Might you have another problem? http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246323

 

[DsN]

It could be something else but as these plugs/wires were done 67K+ miles ago, I'm hoping for a simple solution.

Everything was definitely reachable and without taking off a wheel. I just pulled the splash guards. Just turned the wheels all the way left and I can reach easy. The driver's side was a bit tight that way but doable.

I decided to start with the plug that was the hardest to reach and I'm glad I did as the problems started on the very 1st wire. Damn thing was apparently corroded to all hell. (junk NAPA wires that mechanic charged me a fortune for) I gave a very gentle twist and the end just snapped ... rubber, metal, all of it - exposing a very oxidized/corroded metal inside rubber tubing. Granted I work out regularly but I'm not Lou Ferrigno.

I figured this was a sign that it was not meant to be. I called it quits then and there. Did I mention I have near zero patience with certain things?