I did my plugs this weekend and though I would pass on some info. I started by getting the plugs and Carb cleaner spray, both motorcraft. I also got a small tube of anti seize.

I followed the TSB and had no problems. Nothing broke. One thing I did before I cracked the plugs was to fill the holes with carb cleaner. Then I cracked them the 1/4 turn. Let them sit for 15-20 mins. I then tightened them back up and then loosened them the 1/4 turn again. This was to help the carb cleaner wick down further without loosening the plug even more. After sitting for another 15 min I started working them back and forth until they came out. All of them made noise all the way out.

Below are some pics. Judging from the condition of the plugs I would say that they have been changed once. I have 95K on the truck and bought it with 70K.

COP boots looked good to so I just cleaned those up and put them back in.

Anyone need a brand new never used Lisle Tool???

 

Good job and congrtulations!

 

Nice good work!!!! Shoot me a pm on the lisle I need to do my plugs soon.

 

You have some heavy carbon on there, what gas do you usually run?

Also, what is the number on those plugs? That might indicate if they had been changed before.

 

Looks like PZT2F.

 

Yep - older style - note the lack of cutout ..

Tim - good job!


MGD

 

Yep, I'm thinking those are probably the original plugs.

 

congrats!! good feeling isn't it.

I vote for those being the original myself.

 

Second in line for the tool. My 2004 is gonna need the plugs changed soon too!

 

Good job...I have a brand new broken plug removal set as well...guess if you have all the correct tools nothing will go wrong.


Not to be pit-nicky...but is that nickel anti-seize? That's what the TSB calls for...the regular stuff probably won't hold up to the heat..

Craig

 

Thanks guys. If those are the orginal plugs then they are pretty good for 95K miles.

You are right my friend. I was not going to pay $31 for a jar of anti seize that I would use a 1/4 ounce of. Nickel Anti seize is for high temp applications, 2200 degrees. The anti seize I got is for about 1800 degrees. I figure it is better than nothing and I don't plan doing this again. And If I do I am confident that that it will be better than nothing at all.

 

Well ever since I decided to change my plugs (3 months ago) I have been trying to use shell gas. Maybe......10 tanks of it.

The thing is I don't think 10 tanks of gas is going to clean 95k miles of carbon build up. But then again none broke so I maybe it did hep.

 

No, I don't think Shell could help in that period of time. I bet most of the gas run thru it did not have a good cleaner and that is why there is so much build up.

 

When I first pulled them out they were of course completely soaked and the carbon was totally soft. I intentionally didn't clean them off and let them dry so I could see how much was really there. That carb cleaner really did the trick. I could have totally cleaned those plugs with the wipe of a rag.

 

My plugs all came out at 65,500 miles and had much less carbon than yours. I had run Texaco, Shell or Conoco. I think the Techron makes a difference.