Hi everyone .. I'm New here.. Spark plug change ?

[dipwaded]

We bought our '98 explorer brand new from the dealer and i have done most of the maintenance on it from the beginnning. A couple of weeks ago i got the urdge to change spark plugs .( the car has about 45,000 miles on it) I have had many cars in my time and feel that i am pretty handy with the "roll-around' tool box.
I changed the plugs on the drivers' side NO Problem .. But when it came to the pass. side ... ahhhhhhhh. First of all, I couldn't even get the plug wire off the front pass. side plug, let alone change it. The other 2 plugs are impossible to even get to. ANYONE have any tricks to changing the plugs on the Passenger side ?????
thank you in advance.. hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th of JULY....
god bless....
dip-wad

 

[Mbrooks420]

You need various sized extensions and a swivel and it's not too bad. Some people change the pass. side plugs by turning the wheel all the way to one side and getting access thru the splash guard. Best of luck

 

[GaSouthern1]

If you take off your passenger side tire you can get to it much easier.

 

[section525]

What motor you got under that hood?

 

[dipwaded]

I have the v-6 4.o SOHV

I will try the 'ole take the wheel off method. I have various swiveLs and extentions for my socket sets . We'll give it a whirl. THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE , FOLKS,
dip-wad

 

[Mbrooks420]

Oh, and a set of mechanics gloves will prob. save a few of your knuckles.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

If you don't have one you should get yourself a spark plug socket that has an external hex head on the end so you can turn it with a regular wrench.

I would highly recommend wearing gloves to get at the passenger's sideplugs (especially the back one) because it is very tight and there are lots of sharp edges in there.

 

[frickea86]

I've had the same problem. It helped me alot to take the tire off and take the splash cover out of the wheel well. Its still lots of fun....lol...so have at it...laterz

 

[X~FACTOR]

Isn't that a bit too early to be changing plugs already? Ford recommends changing the plugs at 100,000 miles. I know shouldn't really wait that long but 45,000 is way too early. What plugs did you use?

 

[Mbrooks420]

I wouldn't say 45k is too long at all.

 

[TPLYNCH]

I waited the 100K and mine were really shot and the gap was WAY off (.08 instead of .05). Mechanic friend said I should have changed them way earlier, and I could have done some damage to the engine.....

 

[EliteConcept]

actually ford reccommends chaning them at 60,000 miles, i believe

 

[Kamaaina]

And don't forget to put some silicone grease inside the boots before you reinstall them on the plugs. It will make it easier to remove the next time.

 

[spinfisher]

new wires and plugs


I just got done changing the spark plugs and wires on my 98 OHV. 45 minutes for the driver side and 30 min for the passenger side. I used a swivel neck rachet and a 6" extension on the driver side. And just used the plug socket and a 3/4" combo wrench with a pivot socket head. I went thru the fender well on the passenger side by removing the wheel. Everything went good, I took my time and and checked the gap on the champion dbl plats (54) and used anti-seize. the wire are bosch OE. I did have to remove some of the vacumn crap on the driver side but it went nothing like some of the posts I've read here! Hopefully this will help others take time and assess the situation to their abilities. Oh, I've had estimates from $160 to $280, so I feel pretty good.$28 for plugs and 39 for wires. Good luck!:exp:

 

[Wrench]

Hopefully your torqued the plugs in place! Thats how they maintain there heat range evenly through out.