How many miles did your spark plugs last?

[Summers22]

I bought my 23 Outerbanks with 35k and at 41k got the orange wrench light. I have a really good scanner and came up with code P130D:00:68. There is minimal information on the web for this code(injectors, knock sensor, bad gas, software issue, etc). Took it to the dealer for diagnosis and they said saprkplugs were bad and possibly injectors. Knowing there is a pending injector recall (that is accompanied by a powertrain control module software update), they said sparkplug replacement is the first step and I told them I would handle that and if the wrench light comes back, they can re-diagnose for injectors. I do have an ESP for another 60K or 5 years. Obviously plugs aren't covered but injectors are. They wanted $275 just for 3 sparkplugs.....I paid my $109 diagnostic fee and headed home. Replaced all 3 plugs with Motorcraft SP550X. Literally took 15 minutes at a cost of $30. All plugs needed opened just a little to get to .031. I then cleared the DTC, did a KAM reset and PCM relearn/reset. Seems to have done the trick. So how many miles have your plugs lasted? I don't know what gas the previous owner used, but we use BP 89 octane.

 

[Bigband]

All Ecoboost engines before 2025 are direct injection. One of the maintenence issues with this type of engine is spark plug wear.

 

[Summers22]

Yes I know. I'm not new to ecoboost engines, but 40K seems very premature.

 

[94gradywhite]

Plugs should last longer. If the injectors are letting in too much gas the plugs can get fouled prematurely.

Did the engine have a miss? What drive mode do you use?

 

[Summers22]

Normally use regular drive mode, once in a while sport, but we have only had it for 6k miles.

 

[Rockboz]

Those plugs look rough. My MINI is a direct ignition turbo 4cyl and I get 60k miles on NGK plugs, on 93 octane. Our BS only has 27k at 5his point, and run 87 octane.

 

[Bigband]

Since you bought it used, there are some unknowns. Did the pior owner use Top Tier fuel? How often was the oil changed? How was it driven? These engines need to be maintained.

 

[RSH]

My 2021 Badlands @ 50,000 miles still on the original sparkplug's.
In the OP's case I wonder if the "bad plug" came from the cylinder that deactivates during the drive cycle when cruising at steady speed.
In the 2nd photo of the plugs, the gaps look opened up, and the 3rd plug down looks dirtier than the other 2 plugs, and all 3 have a rust color to them which is a sign of fuel additives.
What fuel is typically used? Also why use mid level octane fuel.
That 3 cylinder works hard, I would want everything it has performance wise and use the highest octane fuel

Assuming all is well, that was a farly inexpensive fix.

 

[Summers22]

Since you bought it used, there are some unknowns. Did the pior owner use Top Tier fuel? How often was the oil changed? How was it driven? These engines need to be maintained.

Who knows, I bought it from my local Ford dealer. My guess is that it hit 36k and they turned in a 3 year lease.

 

[Robins21]

We are at 66K & are still running the original spark plugs. I am probably going to replace them around 75-80K miles.

 

[Stircrazy]

All Ecoboost engines before 2025 are direct injection. One of the maintenence issues with this type of engine is spark plug wear.

thats not true, for the 2.0 it is but the 1.5 is both direct and port injected.

I got the maintanence package and they changed my sparkplug at 98000km so around 60000miles, but they go by the extream use schedual not the normal one.

 

[TheX]

Yes I know. I'm not new to ecoboost engines, but 40K seems very premature.

WAY too premature.

 

[RSH]

FWIW,
From the owner's manual, the normal maintenance service interval to replace the spark plugs is 100,000 miles.
For special operating conditions such as towing or driving at low speeds over distance, excessive idling, short trips not letting the engine reach operating temperature causing fuel dilution the spark plug replacement interval is 60,000 miles.


if you're an old school or anxious type or just don't
trust the manufacturers service intervals when performing vehicle maintenance, replacing spark plugs early isn't a deal breaker as they are inexpensive.

 

[Summers22]

Inexpensive and easy to change. Also in my case, necessary, lol.

Sponsored