not sure if this is a problem

[brandonloserkid]

like the title states, im just asking if this is a sign of a possible problem, or is one in itself..

my engine idles at 1500-1700rpm when its engaged into drive, it drops immediatly to 1000rpm. any problem with this?

also im hitting 180,000 miles on my 97 sport...
what can i do to further prolong the life of my truck?

 

[Blee1099]

Thats an awfully high RPM for idling.. It shouldn't normally idle higher than 1000 RPMS. When was the last time the spark plugs & wires were replaced?

 

[brandonloserkid]

ive had the car since 138,000

i havent replaced them yet... should i?

do i have to replace the plugs AND wires?

 

[Blee1099]

Originally posted by brandonloserkid
ive had the car since 138,000

i havent replaced them yet... should i?

do i have to replace the plugs AND wires?

The plugs & wires should be replaced if they are original. If they were changed out previously, I would start pulling some of the plugs out and clean them & check the gap and if needed try regapping them. The spark plugs are recommended to be changed around 80,000 to 100,000 miles. It would help to replace both wires & plugs.. I recommend Motorcraft Double Platinums & a good set of plug wires.. It'll probably run you in the neighborhood of $70 just for parts..

 

[brandonloserkid]

$70 for plugs and wires? sorry im new to replacing them... is there any way i could get that price dropped down, like what if i got those... less than $4 a peice plugs? (or will the wires still run me alot?)

also how do i know if they just need to be regapped....

also can i just clean them with a wire brush?

sry if i sound like a n00b... i am one to engines, and mechanic stuff..

 

[brandonloserkid]

cant i just drop my idle by messing with one of the things on the engine, to adjust my idle, or will this in turn lower the engaged gear under 1000?

 

[Blee1099]

Originally posted by brandonloserkid
$70 for plugs and wires? sorry im new to replacing them... is there any way i could get that price dropped down, like what if i got those... less than $4 a peice plugs? (or will the wires still run me alot?)

also how do i know if they just need to be regapped....

also can i just clean them with a wire brush?

sry if i sound like a n00b... i am one to engines, and mechanic stuff..

Well the plugs that most of us recommend are the Motorcraft Double Platinums which cost nearly $4 a plug and the wires usually start @ $40 and go up. You can use some sand paper to clean the electrode but you probably would also have to check the gap and re-gap it if needed. Check your wires also for any cracks, tears, etc.. That can also cause a bad idle or miss.