Sparkplug Maintenance

[gatornek]

I don't know if this has been broached, and I don't know if y'all have noticed...but it seems to me removing sparkplug #4 is going to be problematic with the high pressure fuel line right there. Has someone done a sparkplug swap yet and can confirm that the coil can slide out underneath that line? It looks super tight. I can't imagine Ford has you undo a fuel line to simply swap a plug.

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[Meanderthal]

I can't confirm if the fuel line presents an issue when changing spark plugs but you might want to Google "ford 5.4 spark plug stuck" if you think that they always put a lot of thought into maintenance/repair. There were some F-150's that required special tools or nearly dropping out the engine to get to all the plugs.

 

[gatornek]

Yeah, I'll probably be trying to find out in 2 years. I usually like to swap out my GDI plugs every 2 years because they tend to get very sooty (especially once I start seeing the occasional registered knock) .... but may rethink that if it involves removing that fuel hose. I just happened to notice it as I've been glancing around the engine bay.

It might not be an issue if nobody's reported anything. There might be JUST ENOUGH clearance to wedge out the coil (which is the real issue...because you should then be able to go easily with a socket or swivel socket from above, once the coil is out, fuel line or not).

But then again, wedging anything against a fuel line doesn't sound like good practice. LOL.

 

[Bucko]

I don't know if this has been broached, and I don't know if y'all have noticed...but it seems to me removing sparkplug #4 is going to be problematic with the high pressure fuel line right there. Has someone done a sparkplug swap yet and can confirm that the coil can slide out underneath that line? It looks super tight. I can't imagine Ford has you undo a fuel line to simply swap a plug.

I'll take it you never changed spark plugs on early (2004 to 2006) Ford 5.4 V8's? They would break off due to bad plug design. These BS's (the 1.5 at least) will be a drop in the bucket!

 

[gatornek]

the 1.5 at least

The 1.5's don't have a "sparkplug #4". ?

 

[Bucko]

The 1.5's don't have a "sparkplug #4". ?

Exactly! Very observant. Hense by "drop in the bucket comment.

 

[PaulOinMA]

I have the service CD for my Escape. The note for cylinder 4 is:

• When removing the ignition coil from cylinder 4, carefully rotate the coil clockwise 90° and lift it out of the cylinder head.

The installation note is:

1. NOTE: When installing cylinder 4 ignition coil, lower coil assembly between the fuel lines. Then rotate counter-clockwise 90-degrees and lower into position making sure boot engages spark plug properly.

 

[gatornek]

Exactly! Very observant. Hense by "drop in the bucket comment.

My mistake. I thought you were comparing the vehicle you referenced.

 

[gatornek]

I have the service CD for my Escape. The note for cylinder 4 is:

• When removing the ignition coil from cylinder 4, carefully rotate the coil clockwise 90° and lift it out of the cylinder head.

The installation note is:

1. NOTE: When installing cylinder 4 ignition coil, lower coil assembly between the fuel lines. Then rotate counter-clockwise 90-degrees and lower into position making sure boot engages spark plug properly.

Hmmmmm.....I can kind of see that! Thank you for sharing! That's good. Would've been a bit disappointed in not beinga ble to adhere to my own maintenance schedule.

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