Replace spark plugs now runs crappy

[wpurple]

I changed the plugs tonight from NGK's to Motocraft...took it for a spin and there was a pronounced shake at idle, especially when in drive...so I took each plug out and inspected it and checked the gap, well one of the plugs, the center insulator was loose, so for the time being I put one of the original ones (NGK) back in...still the shake....wft over?

Going to go to the parts store tomorrow and replace the motocraft with NGK...never had a problem before with Motocraft, but with a loose center insulator, they seem like motocrap to me?

Thoughts and ideas welcome....

 

[celly]

Thoughts and ideas welcome....

Been happy with Motorcraft as are MANY on this site. Defective plugs happen. Get a replacement in there and you should be fine.

 

[wpurple]

the original NGK replaced the broken motocraft so it should have ran normal...unless it is a bad batch of plugs?? Going to go back to the NGK's as they are known to perform well. The ones I took out all look good just worn a bit.

 

[aldive]

Are you sure all of the spark plug wires were reinstalled correctly?

 

[celly]

Going to go back to the NGK's as they are known to perform well.

Source of this statement? ("known to perform well").

This is the world's largest Explorer resource and a LOT of people swear by Motorcraft or Autolite. I've used NGK in my old SOHC equipped Sport and they were fine (and I know of others who feel the same way). Then again, I scored those plugs BEFORE I learned that Motorcraft are all you need.

Just don't tell me that Bosch are better than Motorcraft cause I'll call B.S..

 

[Electrohacker]

it IS possible you dropped something in the hole... this will cause all sorts of problems shortly
you could runs a small hose on a shop vac and clean the cylinders out as best as you can

I personally want to try E3 diamond fires as soon as I can muster the $$$$ that and something better than these crappy duralast wires

 

[wpurple]

I am sure I didn't drop anything in the home...I even looked at the vacuum hoses as the vacuum canister hoses run along the headers on the passenger side and vacuum lines run along the drivers side for the evap canister, but it runs fine off idle, vacuum is good no fluxuation, and the a/f is running normal. They are original wires but prior to today they worked great, unless one of then has a slight break in the conductor???
First up is to go back to new NGK's, the parts store down the street has them for $1.99ea...
Second kick my wifes car out of the garage so I can work on mine

...so much for sleeping in on my day off.

 

[Delta Dog]

May have very well damaged a wire during the install. Old wires can crack or separate with the slightest tug. Might want to check the resistance on the wires before you condemn the plugs.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Good advice to check the wire resistance; should be
about 6-10K ohms per foot of wire. This will also show
up a bad connector.

You can also check the sparkplug resistance. Most plugs
will read about 6-7K ohms of resistance for the resistor
inside the plug body.....

 

[wpurple]

FIXED...I had "2" bad Motocraft plugs, the center insulator was loose allowing it to slide up and down, replaced all with new NGK's and runs like a champ...
(Never had a issue with Motocraft before, was using the NGK as a few performance shops recommended a TR-6 for a blown 5L app, but since a AGSW-22C is the Motocraft equiv, thought I would give it a try and keep things original.)

...although now I am fried, couldn't sleep last night thinking about what it could be

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Glad to hear you fixed it. I would have thought bad plug wire as well. I have a set of Autolite Platinums & Jacobs wires sitting in the basement waiting to be installed. Ex is running so well right now I really dont want to "disturb" anything. I have a Pathfinder as well and will be putting NGK's in there when the time comes.

 

[XLRVIII]

May have very well damaged a wire during the install. Old wires can crack or separate with the slightest tug. Might want to check the resistance on the wires before you condemn the plugs.

+1
had this happen several times..

 

[wpurple]

UPDATE:
After looking at the broken spark plugs I realize I broke them...not a quality issue.
When I was gapping them, the tool was rubbing against the insulator, I remember I heard a faint "crack" when I was trying to bend the tip...came back to me when I was trying to figure out what held the insulator in, it is not held in, it is apart of the whole ceramic assy...

 

[jtm087]

Is their a way to pinpoint a bad plug without taking it out and examining? I just gave my ex a tune up including replacing plugs and wires (ngk plugs, autolite wire) before I did the tune up the ex was very sluggish and hesitant, but now I get a mean rumble/knock only at idle in gear......trying to find a solution