Changing Spark Plugs...

[brfdrums]

I don't know why I couldn't find a thread on this...

I am thinking about changing my plugs, I do not know if they have been changed on my car before. Is there a good, better, best plug and is it a good idea to change the pack as well?

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[ORRadtech]

How many miles on the car? Any modifications?
Stock plugs are about the best for a stock engine and most modifications.
Unless you're experiencing some sort of misfire problem or loss of power there's no need to change the coil packs.

 

[robvas]

Those plugs will go 100k

 

[brfdrums]

How much, if any, do the plugs play in the whole performance thing?

 

[brfdrums]

How many miles on the car? Any modifications?
Stock plugs are about the best for a stock engine and most modifications.
Unless you're experiencing some sort of misfire problem or loss of power there's no need to change the coil packs.

68k miles, CAI and a tune. For now. Was just thinking about it, with almost 70k on the clock and not knowing if they had been changed...figured it ma/could be time or simply a good thing to do.

 

[WildHorse]

How much, if any, do the plugs play in the whole performance thing?

I went from platinum to iridium . Didn't notice any power gains, but the engine definitely likes the .010" smaller gap. Cleaned up the idle most notably.

The replaced platinum had around 60K on them.

 

[robvas]

How much, if any, do the plugs play in the whole performance thing?

Zero

 

[ORRadtech]

I went from platinum to iridium . Didn't notice any power gains, but the engine definitely likes the .010" smaller gap. Cleaned up the idle most notably.

The replaced platinum had around 60K on them.

So, do you think it's possible that simply regapping the factory plugs would have done the same thing?

 

[ORRadtech]

68k miles, CAI and a tune. For now. Was just thinking about it, with almost 70k on the clock and not knowing if they had been changed...figured it ma/could be time or simply a good thing to do.

Well, changing plugs won't hurt anything. But Ford lists them in their scheduled maintenance for replacement at 100k miles.
You imply that perhaps you are considering more upgrades. Maybe it's best to wait on plugs until you decide what is going to be done.
If you just feel the need to do something perhaps pull, inspect and regap the existing ones.
That would give you the opportunity to inspect the coil packs as well. Although, in my personal experience, a bad coil leaves no doubt when they fail.

 

[Slow Yote]

68k miles, CAI and a tune. For now. Was just thinking about it, with almost 70k on the clock and not knowing if they had been changed...figured it ma/could be time or simply a good thing to do.

It literally took me 30 minutes and 100 bucks in plugs. But, I’m boosted so my plugs likely arnt what you need so I’m no help there.

 

[WildHorse]

So, do you think it's possible that simply regapping the factory plugs would have done the same thing?

The NGK Iridium are pre-gapped at .043, rather than the factory .053 gap.
Dunno why.

Iridium has roughly double the conductivity of platinum, meaning less resistance to current flow. Maybe that's why the idle cleaned up a bit.

 

[Slow Yote]

Well, changing plugs won't hurt anything. But Ford lists them in their scheduled maintenance for replacement at 100k miles.
You imply that perhaps you are considering more upgrades. Maybe it's best to wait on plugs until you decide what is going to be done.
If you just feel the need to do something perhaps pull, inspect and regap the existing ones.
That would give you the opportunity to inspect the coil packs as well. Although, in my personal experience, a bad coil leaves no doubt when they fail.

For the record, ford also recommends oil changes between 7000-10000 miles for “normal” driving. Anyone who listens to that is in for a rude awakening as far as life of their motor goes.

 

[ORRadtech]

For the record, ford also recommends oil changes between 7000-10000 miles for “normal” driving. Anyone who listens to that is in for a rude awakening as far as life of their motor goes.

Yeah, everybody says that.
The thing is I change the oil on all of my vehicles by the maintenance reminder.
My previous truck, a Honda Ridgeline, was pushing 250k before I F'd up and overheated it. My current '12 Edge has 225k. My '14 Fusion has something like 114k and my '18 EB Mustang just turned 110k. All three are running fine with no signs of impending doom. The Edge just finished a 1000 mile road trip yesterday in mid to upper 90 degree temps without a hiccup.

 

[Slow Yote]

Yeah, everybody says that.
The thing is I change the oil on all of my vehicles by the maintenance reminder.
My previous truck, a Honda Ridgeline, was pushing 250k before I F'd up and overheated it. My current '12 Edge has 225k. My '14 Fusion has something like 114k and my '18 EB Mustang just turned 110k. All three are running fine with no signs of impending doom. The Edge just finished a 1000 mile road trip yesterday in mid to upper 90 degree temps without a hiccup.

I’m happy you’ve had good luck. That’s not a common occurrence though.

 

[ORRadtech]

I think it's a lot more common than internet forums want us to believe.

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