New plugs, lost power.

[ExpLmtd99]

Hi all,
Haven't posted in a long while. (Sorry)
I had some work done (by dealer) on my '99 Exp SOHC V6. Changed plugs and wires, struts, & rear shocks.
Maybe I should have not changed the plugs. She idles nice and drives smooth, but compared to before, it feels like I'm towing a boat behind.
Also, the rear radius arm where the shocks were placed have some sort of duct-tape on it - both sides. Wonder what they're hiding. Haven't had a chance to look underneath.
Any thoughts on the plugs? They used Motorcraft.
Another difference on the 'feel' of the Explorer is that the accelerator pedal is tighter than before. What's that from? I really got to get it moving to go anywhere.

Thanks.

 

[koda2000]

check your gas pedal where it's spot-welded to the firewall. these spot-welds tend to break and that can cause a strange feeling gas pedal and lack of travel. secondly, check the accelerator cable where it's connected to the throttle body. the cable can stretch and that will also cause a lack travel. also make sure your spark plug wires aren't getting in the way of the throttle linkage. you'll have to remove the plastic engine cover to see the throttle body.

i can't think of any reason getting your plugs changed should have any effect on the feel of your gas pedal, but maybe the mechanic stomped on the pedal during a test drive, or routed the plug wires in the way... ?

 

[SoNic67]

It might not be related to the work, maybe the acceleration cable slipped/stretched - check the gas pedal free play.
That's how I fixed mine:

Of course, I did cut the zip-tie tail after the photo

 

[ExpLmtd99]

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering also if perhaps they didn't gap it correctly, but if not it would have run rough, and it doesn't. Right? Why else would I have lost power? Cheap plugs and wires?

 

[radman]

Take a look at where the accelerator cable hooks to the throttle body. Have someone depress the accelerator to the floor to verify it is opening the throttle plate completely.

Mike

 

[ExpLmtd99]

but...platinum plugs pre-gapped...?

Hi folks,

So my original question may have been too confusing. Let me ask this:

I had new motorcraft spark plugs and wires put in three weeks ago. Although the vehicle runs smooth and not rough, 0-20mph accelaration is ok, 20-50 for regular road accelaration feels like I have a 4 cylinder explorer as opposed to my 4.0 SOHC 6 cylinder that I do have.

It's not struggling, it just feels like a great 4 cylinder!

The shop told me that the platinum motorcraft plug gaps are pre-set from the factory at .052 and can't be changed.
My Explorer manual as well as the shop manual say they should be at .054.

It can't be the fuel filter, since I didn't touch that and the car was fine before I took it to them.

Any ideas on those plugs? (And the shop that originally did the work is too far for me to go to...it was out of town)

Thanks much.

 

[crunchie_frog]

Maybe plugs have backed out (they forgot to ductape them in)?
Also, did they do any other work like clean the throttle body or change the air filter (maybe they left some ductape in there)

Seriously, I would double check their work. No job is too easy or simple it can't be messed up.

 

[koda2000]

ALL spark plugs come "pre-gapped" to some setting, but you can't trust whatever they're set to. beside if some fumble-finger stock boy happens to drop a box, guess what happens to the gap? Explorer's require a gap of .056. if the plugs were installed and were gapped to .052 it wouldn't make much difference, but Ford specifies .056. while it's true that platinum plugs require a much more careful technique to open the gap, it can be done. the danger is that if you force a typical gap gauge between the electrodes you can scrape off the thin platinum coating.

i don't know that the spark plug gap is your issue. as they also changed the plug wires, it seems more likely to me that they may have mixed up a couple of plug wires. start by verifying that all the wires are connected to the correct spark plug.

your firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. the coil pack should be marked and the plugs are located as below. as far as i know the SOHC and OHV engines would be the same:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=62630&d=1295478503