I launched three plugs upon startup. I bought my 2000 Lightning used with 16,000 miles on it. The plugs and the ignition coil had to replaced. Fortunately, this was covered under warranty.

When towed, the front air dam (damn) was damaged. I noticed the damage several weeks later. To late to file an official complaint.

When i noticed the new damage, i noticed painted over, pre-existing damage to the front air dam (damn), which means my truck had been towed in the past. Possibly for the same reason?...

My fiance's brother works at the dealership that I bought the truck from. He said this is a frequent problem with Lightnings and Excursions.

I've filed a formal complaint to the above link.

Hope it doesn't happen again...

 

Like any high performance vehicle, you should be pro-active and make it common practice to check the plugs, fuel filter and heads on a regular 6000 mile schedule.

 

You hit it on the head. ****...... Sory about your truck.... I would how ever just get a hole new airdam and get it re-painted.... !

 

Dam 3 Plugs at once,
THAT MIGHT BE A RECORD

I'm sorry to hear this sterling,
Glad it was coverd under Wrrnty.

It's just about time for me to do the
3rd Plug change on mine

 

about that. Don't be discouraged. How long have you had the truck????? Thanks for being active in filling out the form.

 

If u guys dont mind, how do i check my plugs, i dont want this to happen to my truck, and ill check em next time i change the oil.

 

Thats the prob. The plugs are a major PITA..

Get yourself a 7mm swivel socket to remove the coil pack and a deep 5/8th spark plug socket and an assortment of extensions. Check to make sure the plugs are snug.

Also, do not use anti-seize on em.

 

I put Anti-Seeze on mine BOTH TIMES
Now it seems everyone is saying DONT ???
I still say it makes sence to use a mild Loc-Tite ??
WTF, maybe I'll try that next time,
I always go against the grain

God I hate doing these plugs, but I guess it's time again
but I wouldn't trust anyone but me doing them.

 

3 plugs at once??? On start up?

Do you have any enemies?

 

It's not all that bad Rob. I did what was probably my 4th or 5th last wed. Luckily they were all still tight. That always makes me happy. Goodluck on your plug change. -Mat-

Also as a tip to the person that wants to check their plugs. Get the tools **** said you need and just take your time. I remove all the coils, then pull all the plugs, then install new plug gapped at .40, torque em down, reinstall coils. Also do one side at a time. -Mat-

 

thanks for the advice on the plugs. i wouldn't have known where to start. does this have anything to do with moisture/and or temperature? it was very cold that day.

as far as the three plugs at once- i assume that's what happened- that's what was listed as being replaced on the dealer invoice, along with the ignition coil.

i've had the truck since september 28th of last year.

[s]

 

Hello Sterling,

Welcome to the forum.

I was just reading your post and did not see anything about the threads in the heads being damaged.

It seems that most of the posts about plugs getting spit out talk of heads being replaced. If the dealer just put plugs back in and sent you on your way, you may not be out of the woods yet. Those threads most likely have been damaged and have a VERY HIGH probability of coughing up the plugs again. Just a heads up for you. Pull up a search on blown plugs and you'll see what I mean.


Good Luck...and congrats on the new Lightning,

Rocks

 

Hey Rob,
I change mine once a month just before we race our CCB race every month. Its not so bad after about the 25th time or so.
Whats wild about that is I have found a loose plug once or twice in all my changes, so checkem, and recheckem. Owning a Lightning is an adventure, not like owning any other vehicle I know of. Lightning's are not for wusses, but for vehicle loving shade tree machanic, do it yourselfers.

 

Only changed them once so far(45,700 miles). Used Lubro-Moly(German-made) anti-sieze, finger-tight and 1/16th of a turn more. Been in about 20K and I think there're still tight ?

Dan

 

Someone above said they take them all out on one side then reinstall all new ones. If it were me, Id do one at a time. I wouldnt want 4 open holes where theres more of a chance you can drop something down one of the spark plug holes. Take one out at a time, and install that one new one, then move on to the next one. I never changed the plugs in a Lightning before and Im sure its hard, but I did change them in a 97 Ford E250 van with the 5.4L engine and I can tell you the van gives you absolutely no room to work and you have to feel your way around for all 8. Atleast the Lightning when you open the hood, you can see all 8 coil packs. Go open the hood in a Ford E250 van with the same motor and tell me what you think. 5 hours to do it. No flaming, just saying, you may think you have the hardest vehicle to change the plugs in, but you dont, there are much harder ones. I dont know who designs this crap, that they have to make it so hard to change a few damn plugs. Rediculous. Mike