2008-2014 Ford F-150 & Expedition 5.4L 3v: Updated Spark Plug Replacement.
The Motorcraft – one of the best spark plugs manufacturers
The Motorcraft SP-479 spark plugs are designed to improve electrode wear beyond the capability of the single platinum spark plug. The amount of platinum is 2 to 3 times better than the single platinum plug.
The high melting point of the platinum provides superior resistance to erosion, it’s very high-quality sparks. This results in intervals between 60,000 and 100,000 miles between spark plug changes while maintaining optimal engine performance.
Product features of auto parts, Motorcraft spark plugs replacement:
- Not extended tip-for many older model vehicles.
- Extended tip prevents fouling at low engine speeds and self-cleaning at high engine speeds.
- Extra extended tip-used in specially designed engines to protrude further into the combustion chamber.
- A single platinum tip, used for both conventional and ignition coil systems, provides maintenance intervals of 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Fine platinum top quality plugs that use more platinum to reduce Fouling firing voltage and provide even longer service intervals than other platinum offerings.
- Nickel alloy-these plugs feature electrodes designed for a longer life without platinum improvements.
- The Motorcraft company develop iridium plugs and diesel spark plugs
Why is quality so important for spark plugs?
Since iridium is expensive, manufacturers of Motorcraft iridium spark plugs reduce the diameter of the center electrode to only 0.4 mm, which increases the ignition efficiency. However, since it is not recommended to split iridium plugs because their tips can be damaged, they tend to have poorer conductivity. For this reason, they are not always the best choice for modified engines. You can find hundreds of comparisons on the Internet such as iridium vs platinum spark plug but anyway you should choose only the best parts for your car, choose Motorcraft Spark Plug because it is one of the best products on the market. You just need to decide what spark plugs you need, iridium or platinum.
Platinum vs iridium spark plugs
Both types have the same parts and the same structure. The only difference between iridium and platinum spark plugs is the metal used in the center of the electrode. As you may have already found out, platinum plugs use platinum, while iridium plugs use Iridium for the tip of the center electrode. Iridium plugs cost more than platinum plugs, partly because iridium is a rarer metal than platinum, but also because it offers several advantages.
Iridium has a much higher melting point than platinum. with values around 4400 or 3200 degrees Fahrenheit. Iridium certainly has an advantage when you consider that gases are constantly ignited in the chamber, which causes the spark plug to be exposed to very high temperatures. The higher melting point means that Iridium plugs can be made hotter than platinum plugs. Although hot plugs are not always desirable, they are preferred for city trips.
Another advantage of Iridium over platinum is its strength, with the strength of 8 being more than eight times as high. This essentially means that an iridium spark plug has to take much more punishment before it experiences significant wear and tear. A platinum spark plug is expected to last 40,000 miles before being replaced, while an iridium spark plug can reach 60,000 miles or more. The cost of the plug is not necessarily an important argument, but the actual replacement can be a problem for some cars. The positions of the spark plugs may be difficult to reach or other components must be removed first. It would be more difficult if you do it yourself or more expensive if you have it done in a shop.
The power difference would be relatively small if there are spark plugs between Iridium and platinum. If you consider both as replacements, the iridium plug is probably better, as you don’t have to change so often and don’t have to worry about the electrode eroding prematurely within the combustion chamber, leaving potentially harmful deposits. However, if you want to change the plug frequently, as new plugs always work better, using platinum plugs may not be a bad idea.
So How To Change Spark Plugs?
Spark plugs on the engine are changed during routine maintenance according to the service book. On average, the spark plugs are designed to work for a run of 15000 miles.
On foreign cars, the life of spark plugs is usually much longer – 30000, and sometimes 50000 miles. But since domestic gasoline is of low quality, the replacement of spark plugs may be required much earlier.
To replace the spark plugs, first, carefully remove the cap of the high-voltage wire from the spark plug insulator. Since the cap has a fairly tight fit, you need to gently swing it to the left and right, pull the cap up, remove the cap along with the wire from the spark plug and gently move it to the side. On foreign cars, as a rule, an engine with a multi-valve head is installed. Prepare a spark plug wrench, which is included in the tool kit and is a tubular structure with a hexagon at the end. You can also use a collar (for example, a regular screwdriver will do), but the key firmly on the spark plug.
Gently pressing on the collar, turn the spark plug counterclockwise and remove it from the blockhead. Examine the spark plug. If the spark plug is working under normal conditions, the working part of it should be light brown, the threaded part of the spark plug should not have traces of oil, it should not be blackened, the electrodes of the spark plug should not be burned.
If necessary, buy new spark plugs, preferably of the type specified in the operating instructions of your car. Check the gap between the spark plug electrodes, i.e. the distance between the center and side electrodes.
Spark plugs are one of the most capricious elements of the ignition system. Sometimes it is enough for one unsuccessful refueling that they fail, so always monitor the quality of the gasoline used.
The size of the gap is also specified in the operating instructions. If necessary, the correct gap is set by bending the side electrode. Then insert the spark plug into the spark plug hole by hand, rotating the spark plug by its insulator clockwise, using the best spark plug wrench or a suitable collar, wrap the spark plug in the blockhead until it stops. Tightly put on the insulator of the spark plug cap high-tension wires. The quality of a spark plug can be determined by its appearance. Inspect the electrodes and the heating cone of the insulators. If there is dry black carbon, it means that the engine is idling a lot, or at low speeds.
Black, wet, oily deposits indicate wear on the engine cylinders and piston rings, or that the oil level in the crankcase is too high. The insulator of a properly working spark plug has a color from light gray to light brown, while the carbon should be practically absent.
Spark plugs should never be cleaned with metal objects (for example, a knife or a screwdriver), since in this case the insulator can be damaged.
If you are not going to use the car for a long time, remove the spark plugs, turn the front wheel 2-3 turns and wrap the spark plugs. This operation will protect the spark plugs.
Correct installation of spark plugs
When replacing worn-out spark plugs, it is necessary that:
Contamination around the spark plug hole, in any case, did not get into the combustion chamber. The spark plugs were installed with the correct tightening torque. If the tightening torque is too high, the spark plug may be damaged, and if it is too low, it causes poor sealing and heat dissipation.
There is an auxiliary mounting device for screwing in spark plugs, but installation is also possible manually. Thread lubrication is prohibited.
Depending on the type of spark plug, proceed as follows:
Tighten the new o-ring plug to a maximum of one-quarter turn (approximately 90o) using the appropriate spark plug wrench. Tighten the previously used spark plug with the o-ring as much as possible by 30o (since the o-ring is already compressed). A spark plug with a conical sealing surface should be wrapped only 15o.