Spark plug question

[1_v8_merc]

1.) I pulled one of the plugs out and the tip was very white. It looked fairly clean, no oil or dirt at all, but just really white. Does this mean im running lean or overheating?(no problems with temp gauge ever)



BASICALLY, I'm asking, do they need to be replaced?



2.) Which type of plugs should I get? Autolite Platinum, double plat or copper.....suggestions?



What do 3rd Gens typically run the best with?

(i know it's stupid to base spark plug condition off of only ONE plug, but it's all I had time to do at the moment.)

 

[jasongt06]

Stick w/ OEM Motorcraft or Autolite Double Plats ONLY. Fords only run good on those 2 plugs. Dont fall for any gimick plugs.

 

[EasyRhino]

How long had the plug been in?

White to very light beige color is a good sign. How did the electrodes look? This is more telling, assuming that the insulator is white/light beige.

Go with the OEMs as said before. Lots of expensive gimmick plugs out there with lots of advertising dollars behind them.

Note that the factory platinums are good for 100K miles. Mine have been in for 101K miles (since birth). I pulled one plug about every 15K miles or so to keep an eye on them and the engine, pulling a different plug each time. Every time mine have been white.

I will replace them in the next 2-3K miles; however, they still look brand new last time I pulled one.

 

[Cobra2top]

I just changed mine due to a CEL (was not the plugs afterall). They actually looked Ok but since I had them out I ended up changing them all. It cost all of $15 for 8 plugs so it was not really a matter of cost and to change them was fairly straight forward. I only bought the Autolite Copper Cores (#764) for $1.75 each due to a recommendation and I can not complain. The truck starts and runs fine so I guess it was money well spent. If I get 50K out of them I will be happy with my $15 investment!

If you have them out, why not just put in a new one?

 

[1_v8_merc]

How long had the plug been in?

White to very light beige color is a good sign. How did the electrodes look? This is more telling, assuming that the insulator is white/light beige.

Go with the OEMs as said before. Lots of expensive gimmick plugs out there with lots of advertising dollars behind them.

Note that the factory platinums are good for 100K miles. Mine have been in for 101K miles (since birth). I pulled one plug about every 15K miles or so to keep an eye on them and the engine, pulling a different plug each time. Every time mine have been white.

I will replace them in the next 2-3K miles; however, they still look brand new last time I pulled one.

Whoops, my mistake.

I have a 2004 mounty v8, 38k miles

Yeah, believe me, i dont fall for the gimmick crap out there, im pretty aware of them.

-Cobra2top : I just decided to yank a spark plug out one day, i wanted to find out how hard they are to remove....it was pretty damn easy....I've never really worked on a 4.6L before, but by the looks of it, i'd rather work on THIS engine anyday over some of the other engines i've worked on in the past.
I mean, having the plugs on the TOP of the engine is a piece of cake compared to having them on the Bottom....yikes.

 

[Cobra2top]

I just decided to yank a spark plug out one day, i wanted to find out how hard they are to remove....it was pretty damn easy.....

No kidding! I was pulling the first #5 plug and could not believe it took all of a minute! I thought I was some pro-mechanic after that!! The rest were just as easy after removing the air intake.

Too bad for me it did not fix my CEL, there was a big smile on my face right up until I cranked her up and the darn light was still on and she was still idling poorly!