Car spark plugs

[keddre]

I know this isn't close to reef related but I didn't want to join a whole blog for one question.

My truck has six spark plugs, three in front and three in back; however the repair guide only mentions changing the front three for routine maintenance. Should I just go ahead and change the three under the air intake too, or listen to the manual?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I know this isn't close to reef related but I didn't want to join a whole blog for one question.

My truck has six spark plugs, three in front and three in back; however the repair guide only mentions changing the front three for routine maintenance. Should I just go ahead and change the three under the air intake too, or listen to the manual?

Finally something were my other expertise can come in handy! lol. Are you changing them because you're having a problem or just part of routine maintenance? And what kind of truck?

 

[keddre]

Finally something were my other expertise can come in handy! lol. Are you changing them because you're having a problem or just part of routine maintenance? And what kind of truck?

Routine maintenance. It's a 12 year hand me down from my parents and my dad never touched any of them

 

[Crabs McJones]

Routine maintenance. It's a 12 year hand me down from my parents and my dad never touched any of them

What is the year make and model, and how many miles are on it?

 

[keddre]

What is the year make and model, and how many miles are on it?

2005 mercury mariner with 130,000 miles.

Essentially it's a Ford Explorer. They are almost identical under the hood

 

[Crabs McJones]

2005 mercury mariner with 130,000 miles.

Yes, with 130,000 miles I would replace all of them :) Spark plugs average a life of 100 to 150 thousand miles. Some more some less. But if you're going through the work of replacing the front three, with that many miles, do all of them. You'll probably notice a nice little jump in gas milage :) And get decent plugs, alot of people cheap out on plugs, and they only last 20 to 30 thousand milage. Try to go with something with Iridium or platinum core, in my personal experience these last the longest

 

[keddre]

Yes, with 130,000 miles I would replace all of them :) Spark plugs average a life of 100 to 150 thousand miles. Some more some less. But if you're going through the work of replacing the front three, with that many miles, do all of them. You'll probably notice a nice little jump in gas milage :) And get decent plugs, alot of people cheap out on plugs, and they only last 20 to 30 thousand milage. Try to go with something with Iridium or platinum core, in my personal experience these last the longest

That's what I'm thinking. I'm just wondering why they don't tell you change them all at six. Actually I'm wondering who thought it was a good idea to put spark plugs under the cruise control

 

[Potatohead]

Changing three makes no sense. I have no idea why they would recommend that. The rear three may be a PITA to get to, though.

 

[Crabs McJones]

That's what I'm thinking. I'm just wondering why they don't tell you change them all at six. Actually I'm wondering who thought it was a good idea to put spark plugs under the cruise control

I had a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT with a V6 engine, you have to remove the whole upper intake manifold to access the back three spark plugs. And everything is aluminum, so you don't dare over tighten any of the bolts lol. Luckily I'm mechanically inclined so I was able to do it myself, but book time calls for about 2.5 hours to change them.

 

[Crabs McJones]

And it looks like, according to the service procedure, you have to remove your intake manifold as well to access the right hand side plugs :( labor time is calling for 3.2 hours

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

I had a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT with a V6 engine, you have to remove the whole upper intake manifold to access the back three spark plugs. And everything is aluminum, so you don't dare over tighten any of the bolts lol. Luckily I'm mechanically inclined so I was able to do it myself, but book time calls for about 2.5 hours to change them.

I have a subaru and have to uninstall all sorts of bits to get at the spark plugs too. I like turning my own wrench, but for that, I can't be bothered; just wind up paying someone else to do it. Same if I wind up having to change the injectors... *shudder*

OP, if you get iridium plugs, make sure you don't try to gap them. They're pre-gapped from the manufacturer and you're likely to break the electrodes if you do...

 

[redfishbluefish]

I can't begin to understand why they'd only want the front three replaced. Do they say anything about when you're supposed to replace the back three? Foolish!

DO them all.

As far as PITA plugs, I have stories. Can't remember the year (in the 70's) there was a Cadillac where you had to remove the air conditioner to get to two of the rear plugs. A Sunbeam Tiger (big V8 in a little two seat convertible), you had to either pull the engine or remove the fenders to get to the plugs. We punched holes in the fenders and found nice plastic covers to cover the holes.

I have a Honda HRV were I need to remove a lower engine cover to get to the oil filter...another PITA.

Again, do all six!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I have a subaru and have to uninstall all sorts of bits to get at the spark plugs too. I like turning my own wrench, but for that, I can't be bothered; just wind up paying someone else to do it. Same if I wind up having to change the injectors... *shudder*

OP, if you get iridium plugs, make sure you don't try to gap them. They're pre-gapped from the manufacturer and you're likely to break the electrodes if you do...

This!! Luckily for me I work at an automotive dealership, so if I ever need help I have about 30 mechanics at my disposal to help me out lol :):)

 

[keddre]

And it looks like, according to the service procedure, you have to remove your intake manifold as well to access the right hand side plugs :( labor time is calling for 3.2 hours

Welp, sounds like it's going to be a long Friday lol. I was happy I got a Ford car because I read it's supposed to be easy for us beginners under the hood, but this already sounds like a pain. Oh well, I gotta learn some day though.

 

[keddre]

I have a subaru and have to uninstall all sorts of bits to get at the spark plugs too. I like turning my own wrench, but for that, I can't be bothered; just wind up paying someone else to do it. Same if I wind up having to change the injectors... *shudder*

OP, if you get iridium plugs, make sure you don't try to gap them. They're pre-gapped from the manufacturer and you're likely to break the electrodes if you do...

Ha. Everywhere here is around $150-$200 after my student discount and at that price I'll just do it myself. Now I realize labor though. Also I'm looking at the laser iridium plugs by nkg. Honestly have no clue what the laser does, but it has good reviews and the price difference isn't huge

 

[keddre]

Do they say anything about when you're supposed to replace the back three? Foolish!

Nope, completely ignores their existence. I only know about them because of the various YouTube videos out there. I'm starting to think it might because I got a third party book and not the actual one by Ford

 

[Potatohead]

That chassis the engine is transverse (sideways) so the rear plugs are probably a pain with a V6.

 

[estebanb450]

Ha. Everywhere here is around $150-$200 after my student discount and at that price I'll just do it myself. Now I realize labor though. Also I'm looking at the laser iridium plugs by nkg. Honestly have no clue what the laser does, but it has good reviews and the price difference isn't huge

Laser iridium plugs way to go 100k miles outta them roughly.

 

[estebanb450]

Might also get away with out removing the intake manifold but if you have to might as well replace the plenum gasket

 

[killr66tb]

I know this isn't close to reef related but I didn't want to join a whole blog for one question.

My truck has six spark plugs, three in front and three in back; however the repair guide only mentions changing the front three for routine maintenance. Should I just go ahead and change the three under the air intake too, or listen to the manual?

Always change all six I've never herd of changing only half.