Changed Plugs in 5.0....Interesting find...

[smiley1]

With 75K miles on my explorer and dismal fuel economy I decided to change my plugs. I used Taylor wires and Autolite Platinum Plugs.

What I found was two different types of Motorcraft Plugs. The drivers side had, what appeared to be double platinums with the part #AWSF 32EG. The Passenger side was #AWSF 32E. The strange thing is I bought this truck NEW. The gaps were anywhere from .060 to .065. All plugs had significant wear but the drivers side were far worse than the passenger side. No one has touched my plugs either.

Truck runs great and we will see if there is a MPG gain...I know, wishful thinking...

Just thought this was interesting for you folks.

 

[Robb]

Interesting you should bring that up.

I did the plugs on one of my dad's Lincolns this week (4.6L), and before I did, I look up the number on his CD manual. The manual listed two different types of plugs for different numbered cylinders as it came from the factory, then a universal replacement for all cylinders. They listed the two different original numbers so that if you did pull the plugs, and just cleaned them, you would replace them into the exact cylinder that they came out of. But when it was time to replace them all, you used the universal plug in all cylinders, which wasn't the same as either of the two original plug numbers.

Some sort of crazy "break in" plug thing going on.

 

[smiley1]

Thats interesting Robb,

Another thing I noticed is the platinum patch on the hook end of the electrode was missing on the passenger side but present on the drivers side, hence the double plats vs. regular plats. I dont know...ford is just strange .

 

[Garth]

I will look at mine which I kept after the change to see if any of the numbers are different.

 

[Nitrous SSC]

I changed mine a month ago with 97k on them. I couldn't even try to read them. I'm amazed they still fired. I also noticed the different numbers on mine too!!! I didn't mention anything cause I figured someone before me owning it messed with it. I changed to the same plugs your runing Garth. Autolites for life Even if you don't pick up MPG your truck will start and idle alot better. I had a part throttle surge I was chasing and a knock at startup. Also my engine idled like my stang with its aftermarket cam. Changing the plugs in my truck fixed all those things.

 

[Bill Kemp]

Some time back on here there was talk that Ford used single platnium plugs and replacements were double platnium. One bank of cylinders fires from the center electrode to the tip and the other bank fires from the tip to the center.
I dont know for sure this is true but it sounds right considering the OEM plugs.

 

[DirtyDog]

Some time back on here there was talk that Ford used single platnium plugs and replacements were double platnium. One bank of cylinders fires from the center electrode to the tip and the other bank fires from the tip to the center.
I dont know for sure this is true but it sounds right considering the OEM plugs.

This is true. My uncle is a ford mechanic and that's exactly what he said.

 

[spta97]

Keep us posted if there were any gas mileage increases. I did all city (short trip) driving for the first 1/2 tank and got 60 miles out of it In normal driving patterns I get about 200 miles to the tank. If I switch to highway I get about 250. Amazing how much my 5.0 AWD doesn't like the stop and go.

I have tried a bunch of stuff with no success but I was aprehensive to do the plugs and wires since it would be a lot of $$$ and I've only got 34k.

 

[smiley1]

spta97,

200 miles is exactly what I get a tank and between 250 to 280 for strictly freeway.

One freak trip got me 19.3 mpg and a little over 300 miles on a tank, but never again (must have been a great tail wind).

I will keep you posted on the mpg change, if any. I dont think you have enough miles on yours to warrent a plug and wire change yet...JMHO.

 

[spta97]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. After you sift through the V6 claims and get the AWD 5.0 V8 numbers there are still some people who claim 16-17 MPG mixed driving. I get the same numbers as you (no 300 though, but I didn't drive it that dry) so I'd be curious to see what you find. I've replaced my IAC, air filter, changed the tire pressure to 40 PSI, cleaned the MAF, and took it to the dealer for them to check and still no luck.

Just some things that didn't work

ps: When I was charting the mileage it would average about 10 - 10.5 MPG.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I get AT LEAST 15mpg, even with mixed driving and stomping on it. All highway I bet I could easily get 350 to a tank.

 

[spta97]

I weigh about 210 lbs...perhaps that is it?

The only way I would get that kind of mileage is if I shut the engine off and had a strong gust of wind. Please tell us your secret!

 

[Mbrooks420]

No secret. And it's not the wieght, I drive around with 200 pounds of tools and stereo. And I have Mt's. My truck just runs well I guess. I am gonig to do a tune up shortly, hopefully it will improve a bit.

 

[spta97]

No secret. And it's not the wieght, I drive around with 200 pounds of tools and stereo. And I have Mt's. My truck just runs well I guess. I am gonig to do a tune up shortly, hopefully it will improve a bit.

According to the dealer mine runs well too. I'm going to try some Seafoam and see what that does.

 

[jonjones80]

Wow I get alot better gas mileage in my truck and its a 5.0 awd too. The last trip I took which was about 2 weeks ago I got around 320 to the tank and when I filled up I only put 18 gallons in.

 

[smiley1]

Well, after a couple of tanks I dont show a significant increase (+1 mpg) in MPG. Oh well, it was time to change them anyway.

 

[Garth]

After I had my plugs changed I have notice less mpg. I even have a k&n filter installed and I am running full synthethic oil. I dont know how to explain it. I guess maybe I am driving faster than I used to. I just got back from a trip to Georgia and I average 17.9mpg and a a peak of 18.3. I usually get up to 21+ before I made all the changes.

 

[expo5.0]

i can get 18 or so even with my truck with the mods and all the extra weight.

 

[smiley1]

Garth,

You may want to recheck your plug gap or consider a diferent brand of plugs (if not motorcraft or autolights)

There are a couple of other factors that effect MPG that I have not heard anyone mention on this forum before.

Tire brands have different rolling drag/resistance that can differ by just over 1mpg at same psi.

O2 sensors directly effect performance and will not always set a code when they are on the way out but will give you dismal performance and economy.

 

[Rhett]

Some time back on here there was talk that Ford used single platnium plugs and replacements were double platnium. One bank of cylinders fires from the center electrode to the tip and the other bank fires from the tip to the center.
I dont know for sure this is true but it sounds right considering the OEM plugs.

Bill is right on this. That accounts for the different plugs on each side.

Now, when you replace them, I don't know about replacing them all with the same plug. I'm sure the manual for your 2nd gen will tell you which plug to use.

I would use a Motorcraft plug, the EXACT plug stated in the manual, and the midpoint of the gap range listed. Then you can go from there in your search to get better mileage. But at least THEN you would know that you have SPEC plugs, and that the plugs are not the problem.