Numb Fingers
New Member
- Joined
- April 30, 2025
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 1
- City, State
- Whidbey Island, WA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Explorer XLT 4.6L
TLDR: 4.6 plug blew out, should I just replace it with a new one? Pics below.
Hi - new here, and I've had a spark plug blow out on my '03 Explorer XLT 4x4 with 4.6L V8. It's a "Spare Utility Vehicle", not driven much, with 145K miles, has some transmission flare, needs rear brakes, will need tires soon, so I'm not too attached to it and won't put much money into it. Might sell it as a "mechanic's special".
The second plug from the back on the passenger side popped out, snapped of the coil pack, and I drove it 2.5 miles home. I've read many threads and watched videos about the problem, ugh! I'm wondering if mine is typical or if I might, maybe, possibly get by with just replacing the plug with a new one. I have limited strength, dexterity, and patience so I don't think I'll try to DIY a Time Sert or similar insert.
It seems like I have some threads left in the head and the old plug looks pretty good compared to a new Autolite APP104. I'm wondering if I should just try the new plug and hope for the best. Should I put it in clean, use some anti seize, or go the other direction and use blue threadlocker (yes, I know the threadlocker is "wrong"). Can I get by with hand tightening and another 3/4 turn of a wrench, or must I find a torque wrench? Is there a pretty good cheap long thinwall socket I must have?
Thanks for your patience, I know I'm asking a lot of questions. Pics follow. -Steve W.
Hi - new here, and I've had a spark plug blow out on my '03 Explorer XLT 4x4 with 4.6L V8. It's a "Spare Utility Vehicle", not driven much, with 145K miles, has some transmission flare, needs rear brakes, will need tires soon, so I'm not too attached to it and won't put much money into it. Might sell it as a "mechanic's special".
The second plug from the back on the passenger side popped out, snapped of the coil pack, and I drove it 2.5 miles home. I've read many threads and watched videos about the problem, ugh! I'm wondering if mine is typical or if I might, maybe, possibly get by with just replacing the plug with a new one. I have limited strength, dexterity, and patience so I don't think I'll try to DIY a Time Sert or similar insert.
It seems like I have some threads left in the head and the old plug looks pretty good compared to a new Autolite APP104. I'm wondering if I should just try the new plug and hope for the best. Should I put it in clean, use some anti seize, or go the other direction and use blue threadlocker (yes, I know the threadlocker is "wrong"). Can I get by with hand tightening and another 3/4 turn of a wrench, or must I find a torque wrench? Is there a pretty good cheap long thinwall socket I must have?
Thanks for your patience, I know I'm asking a lot of questions. Pics follow. -Steve W.
