SOLVED

[Randy e Batz]

Hey! Wondering how long y'all go between spark plug and wire changes... i go about 30-40 maybe 50k on a set of platinum plugs... i'm still running OE wires, as they have no issues... should i replace them? also same with the alternator it's oe as well, should i put a new one in when i have it out? thanks!
i'm putting more cash into this fix then i 1st expected lol

Platinum plugs are good for 100,000 mile / 2yr. OEM wires, my personal experience was like 10 - 11 yrs. With no problems

 

[Deleted member 352605]

If it’s on factory wires then it probably needs a fair amount of other general maintenance like brake fluid swap, coolant flush, transfer case and axle fluid changes.

i did the brake fluid flush about 50k ago, coolant flush 20 ago, rebuilt the diffs a year ago... and other than that, we did oil every 2.5k, coolant every 30-40k, plugs every 50 ish... but i'm still running oe wires...

 

[Deleted member 352605]

i did the brake fluid flush about 50k ago, coolant flush 20 ago, rebuilt the diffs a year ago... and other than that, we did oil every 2.5k, coolant every 30-40k, plugs every 50 ish... but i'm still running oe wires...

i'll write down all the history and upload it... it doesn't really include oil changes but the rest should be there...

 

[RangerNutt]

Hey! Wondering how long y'all go between spark plug and wire changes...

Going for 30 years or 200k miles, whichever comes first ('96 xlt 2.3l). Might change pcv valve then too. Still gets same mileage as when driven away from dealer with 4 mi showing. It uses no oil between changes (I buy cheapest API-rated can find, less than $1/quart). Never lubricated caliper slide rails either. (Except on install of new rotors and pads at ~140k mi.) DID put in a new fuel filter though; but mighta been unnecessary.

Or maybe I won't ever change anything, long as it keeps running like when new.

 

[Deleted member 352605]

Going for 30 years or 200k miles, whichever comes first ('96 xlt 2.3l). Might change pcv valve then too. Still gets same mileage as when driven away from dealer with 4 mi showing. It uses no oil between changes (I buy cheapest API-rated can find, less than $1/quart). Never lubricated caliper slide rails either. (Except on install of new rotors and pads at ~140k mi.) DID put in a new fuel filter though; but mighta been unnecessary.

Or maybe I won't ever change anything, long as it keeps running like when new.

Nice!

Also, is this the right part number for the upper intake manifold gasket (in the top under the SOHC engine cover?)
YL2Z-9E436-AA

 

[RangerNutt]

Nice!

Also, is this the right part number for the upper intake manifold gasket (in the top under the SOHC engine cover?)
YL2Z-9E436-AA

Corona isolation provided time to find this thread with lots of references. Can't certify, but good time for garage work.

 

[Deleted member 352605]

service history EXCLUDING oil every 2500

19500-plugs

26300-radiator flush/diff fluid/transfer case fluid/trans fluid

32300-plugs

34200-alignment

41200-rotate tires/alignment/fuel filter

42300-trans fluid/transfer case fluid/diff fluid/wiper blade

45300- gibson exhaust

47000-battery

47500-drive belt

49200-water pump

51500- Dynomax muffler

55000-trans fluid/plugs/coolant/transfer case

58051-air shocks

60500-upper and lower radiator hose/thermostat/coolant/hood springs/rotate tires/alignment

65000-resonator removal

67500-fuel filter

73500-brake pads

83600-wiper blades, coolant, hood springs

85000-plugs/trans fluid/brake fluid flush/transfer case fluid/diff fluid

91239-speed control sensor/intake manifold

116000-rotate tire, rear pads, front shocks

121700-fuel filter/coolant

122200-serpentine belt

140000-battery

150000-plugs/diff fluid/trans fluid/transfer case fluid

152877-tires/alignment/coolant/front diff rebuild

176000-fuel filter

177000-drive belt/lift gate bracket

181000-plugs, front back pads, trans fluid, transfer case fluid

185000-brake switch

191000-battery

200000-coolant/fog light bulbs

205000-tires/alignment

222000-fuel pump/plugs/transfer case fluid/trans fluid

233923-clean throttle body/maf sensor

234900- front rear pads

242000-thermostat housing/clean throttle body

246000-fan clutch/headlights

247000-battery

252700-rotate tires

253000-speed sensor

261000-coolant

265000-tires

268000-clean iac/fuel filter

273000-water pump/radiator

284000-front rear pads

284000-clean maf sensor

294000-plugs/rear end rebuild/transfer case fluid

299000-upper lower ball joints

301000-sway bar end links

312000-oil pressure sensor

324000-coolant

33000- tires

 

[Spuddy]

Very nice service record. I should do that! Some of those are too often and others are not often enough.

Attached is the factory service maintenance interval manual. Personally, I agree with some of it.
Specifically:

Plugs @ every 100K
Fuel filter @ every 30K
Oil change & filter @ every 5K
Most of the rest is perhaps about right. Ford does want to sell you a new truck someday after all.

A few that I don't agree with -
Plug wires are not mentioned in the factory service interval. I'd say 100-150K if not throwing codes or otherwise noticeable.

Transmission fluid is also supposed to be "good for life" (good til death) in normal service. Don't believe that either. I go with 100K is about right.

Factory says rotate tires every 25k, most tire manufacturers require rotation every 5K for warranty.

YMMV.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I wouldn’t wait until 100k for the transmission. Especially on these.

I see no reason to change the fuel filter at 30k. Unless you have a rusty tank they should last WAY longer.

 

[Deleted member 352605]

lol... theres probably some other maintainence i didn't write down... but that should be most of it excluding the 2.5k oil changes...

 

[Deleted member 352605]

are there any changes i should make to the maintenance as I am probably keeping it for one or two more years...

 

[J_C]

I swapped my wires with the plugs at 100K because they were over 15 years old, and I was getting a misfire for the first ~30 seconds when started cold in cold/rainy weather. In retrospect my battery was probably getting a bit weak too, combined with driving it less and shorter trips so it wasn't getting fully charged but the plugs & wires swap did the trick and the battery lasted through another winter (barely).

"Sometimes" when you disturb wires that old, they get breaks in them, but even if they didn't, for their low price I'd just as soon reduce the chances of any problems due to old wires. I used ACDelco Pro 16-826K for my 4L SOHC, $26 delivered on Amazon..

 

[RickOTR]

Motorcraft wires and plugs, won't use anything else. Change them every 100K miles. No problems yet.

 

[Deleted member 352605]

@RickOTR if im planning on keeping it for another 1-2 years or maybe more depending on how much insurance costs, should i still put some new plugs and wires in it, guessing i should tho

 

[1998Exp]

...
Factory says rotate tires every 25k, most tire manufacturers require rotation every 5K for warranty.
...

Don't know on what that 5K tire rotation is based, and unlike too frequent oil changes, tire stores usually do it for free, under warranty. Nevertheless, I would rather risk paying for a new tire than letting their "torque limiting" impact wrenches abuse the studs and brake rotors that often. Probably not the case for the 2nd gen Explorer, but my daughter bought the tires for her ancient AWD Honda CRV at a well-known place. When working on the brakes, I found out that one stud had the threads completely stripped away, apparently because they started a lug nut wrong, and then forced it. On that vehicle you need to disassemble the wheel hub to replace a stud. The cost of doing that in a garage far exceeds the cost of a new tire.

 

[Deleted member 352605]

@1998Exp
wow... scary... also, quick question, for the sohc, do i have to remove harmonic balancer just to do the guides and tensioner on the primary chain? not doing the actual chains, just the guides and tensioners... also, do i have to remove the ac hoses, thanks!

 

[1998Exp]

@1998Exp
wow... scary... also, quick question, for the sohc, do i have to remove harmonic balancer just to do the guides and tensioner on the primary chain? not doing the actual chains, just the guides and tensioners... also, do i have to remove the ac hoses, thanks!

Sorry, not familiar with that engine. But many members are; for sure someone will respond shortly.

 

[RickOTR]

I

@RickOTR if im planning on keeping it for another 1-2 years or maybe more depending on how much insurance costs, should i still put some new plugs and wires in it, guessing i should tho

I would leave them alone if you plan on selling it in another year or so. If not, go ahead and change them.

 

[donalds]

@1998Exp
wow... scary... also, quick question, for the sohc, do i have to remove harmonic balancer just to do the guides and tensioner on the primary chain? not doing the actual chains, just the guides and tensioners... also, do i have to remove the ac hoses, thanks!

Yep gotta. Remove it to pull the cover

 

[Deleted member 352605]

@donalds the ac hoses or he harmonic balancer?