It hasn’t happened yet but I have a bad feeling that I am hearing the telltale warning signs of a plug about to be launched. I know this has been talked about to great lengths but I was wondering if someone could help me out with some advice.

I have owned my 2000 for over two years now and since the day I bought it I have always heard a slight ticking noise at idle. My 01 sport had this and I’ve seen many posts here that it is normal. The truck has about 32k on it and I have recently been hearing more than the “normal” tick under low RPM acceleration. It’s hard to explain, it’s like a tick/air noise when I start to get into boost. When I am in OD at around 40 MPH I hear a noticeable tick/air leak when giving it some gas. It sounds like it is coming from the back driver’s side of the motor, not sure what cylinder number that is. I cannot replicate this noise when just revving the motor in park, it only happens under low RPM load.

I have a bad feeling that this is a sign of the spark plug about to go but I wanted to see if anyone could shed some light on my situation. I barley drive the truck, I put about 1,500 miles on it in the last year or so. The truck is still covered on Ford’s extended warranty for another 4.5 years. Should I leave it alone and if it blows bring it to the dealer or bring it in now and have them F around with it for god knows how long just to tell me that they cannot replicate it or that it is normal? Any time I have brought my truck to the dealer it had new scratches on it when returned.

Is there a way I can test for this? I tried to take a look at the pack/plug but it’s freaking impossible to see anything that far back. I have had no loss in power at all since this started.

Thanks in advance,

Pete

 

My two pennies?

Check the plugs yourself before it launches. The dealer will tell you tough sh**, so I wouldn't go that route.

 

If I take the coil pack off would I be able to stick my finger down and see if the plug is loose? Would it be really loose or just need a turn? I know you have to by a freaking ton of swivels just to get at them.

Thanks,

Pete

 

I don't understand what the problem is. Just get in there and check them. There is a little bit of tick due to injectors and such but its really faint. If it is a sparkplug coming loose you have very little warning, a couple of hours running time at best, and some guys never hear anything. If I suspected a loose sparkplug I wouldn't even chance the drive to the repair shop.

 

Mine blew with no warning, cruising down the highway. You do not need swivels it just makes the job easier. You need one 3/8 swivel and one one Ľ swivel, that is it. A lot cheaper than a new head. I would not drive until you check ALL plugs.

 

If I do find a loose plug do I just simply tighten it or add some sort of material to keep it tight?

Can someone please give me a link to some spark plug removal directions? I really don’t want to break something.

Thanks,

Pete

 

Just tighten it. DO NOT put any kind of thread lock in there. Put it back in finger tight plus a little bit.

 

Thanks, I'll tighten them down next weekend. I won't drive the truck again until I do.

Thanks for the help,

Pete

 

Tighten the plugs and go out and drive the **** out of it, like the makers intended it to be. Have fun, burn rubber and worry about more important things.

 

Don't over tighten them... It is aluminum, don't stress it out...

PEacE...............
Jim

 

read this for help:

http://home.midsouth.rr.com/lightnin...parkplugs.html

 

Thank You!!!!

 

I personally subscribed to the Buff(Big Ugly Fat *******er) method of population control.A B-52 at 40,000 feet with a load of MK-82 500lb bombs
doea a great job on landscaping.

 

Just hope that a Chinese general doesn't subscribe to the same thought with their version of that plane...

 

Get yourself the proper tools (20$) and check the plugs. better yet replace them while your in there. It takes a little time but is a hell of a lot cheaper than replacing heads or inserts....