2.9L & 3.0L V6 Tech General discussion of 2.9L and 3.0L V6 Ford Ranger engines.

Found the Culprit!

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Old 04-29-2007
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Found the Culprit!

I've been noticing a significant loss of power lately and was too busy to look into it. And for those of you who saw my video, my truck seems to accelerate more slowly than others. Anyways, I had some free time yesterday and while I was pondering the power loss, I remembered I hadn't changed the plugs in over a year and around 18K miles!

So I bought some new ones, Bosch Platinum 2's. Record install time of 30 min flat.

All of my power seems to have been regained! And now Im making a rule for myself....change plugs every 6 months

take a look at the damage

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Old 04-29-2007
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i am no mechanic but 6 months seems alittle too often to change plugs, maybe something is causing them to wear out sooner?
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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Originally Posted by Jeremy102579
i am no mechanic but 6 months seems alittle too often to change plugs, maybe something is causing them to wear out sooner?
im not really basing it on time going by, but on how many miles I drive in 6 months is why I need to change them more often
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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id say a plug should last 30k but we are on the 3.0 forum side so considering the hi build up of carbon these engine make id say change at a yr. hell mine got carbed up at 12k
 
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ummmmm you do realize that you can run plugs up to around 60,000 miles without having to change them, well if you get Motorcraft.........

if you are running Bosch, then yes you will have to change them every 6 months.......my truck had almost 9 years and 85,000 miles on the orgional plugs......

do a search and you will find out that Bosch plugs are junk.......
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
ummmmm you do realize that you can run plugs up to around 60,000 miles without having to change them, well if you get Motorcraft.........

if you are running Bosch, then yes you will have to change them every 6 months.......my truck had almost 9 years and 85,000 miles on the orgional plugs......

do a search and you will find out that Bosch plugs are junk.......
Yes, I know stock Motorcraft plugs will last longer, but I prefer the Bosch. And its not like they weren't completely useless...Im sure they would last much longer. But I prefer to keep things fresh.
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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I probably need to do this. 02 with 58k on original plugs.

I got some free plug wires from Wayne over a year ago that are in my closet too
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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Originally Posted by Werty
Yes, I know stock Motorcraft plugs will last longer, but I prefer the Bosch. And its not like they weren't completely useless...Im sure they would last much longer. But I prefer to keep things fresh.
do whatever you want, but changing plugs every 6 months is such a waste of money.......i am sure you could find something else to spend your money on....

o well....i guess you will help keep Bosch in business...
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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o well....i guess you will help keep Bosch in business...
lol, i use the cheap autolite plugs in mine....
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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i know i need to do mine again... i have at least 35k on the set in there now
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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my 97 had like 120,000 on the original but i changed my 03's at like 50,000
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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I have yet to change mine.

How hard is it on an 4.0 sohc?

Brenton
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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Originally Posted by EdGe_wannabe
I have yet to change mine.

How hard is it on an 4.0 sohc?

Brenton
since you don't have fenders, SUPER easy.......reach in above the tires and take them out.....
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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Originally Posted by EdGe_wannabe
I have yet to change mine.

How hard is it on an 4.0 sohc?

Brenton
easy did my plugs and wires in about 30min
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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Originally Posted by Jeremy102579
lol, i use the cheap autolite plugs in mine....
Isn't Autolite made by Motorcraft?
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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Ok, so since you changed the plugs do you have a new acceleration video? Because I remember you posting 1/4 mile times and them being slow as well for all your modifications.
 
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Old 04-29-2007
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Well, I didn't catch the thread about your power loss, but just in case it wasn't already mentioned, maybe a can of Seafoam would help out even more. :)
 
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Old 04-30-2007
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Originally Posted by 0RangerEdge2
Ok, so since you changed the plugs do you have a new acceleration video? Because I remember you posting 1/4 mile times and them being slow as well for all your modifications.
I actually found out I was spinning the tires at the drag strip and losing valuable seconds. haha, it was my first time

I will make a new video this coming weekend probably...or maybe today if i have time
 
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Old 04-30-2007
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Well why not get some wider rear tires? I'll like to see the new video!
 
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Old 04-30-2007
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Originally Posted by RentonRanger
Isn't Autolite made by Motorcraft?
Yes autolight and motorcraft plugs are the same...

yeah I actually ran the originals in my 2000 up to 83k ish miles before i changed them and they didnt look too bad and I didnt really notice a gain, i dunno. But you have different plugs than stock so who knows, maybe those need to be changed more often in the 3.0L. Get some new vids up though!
 
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Old 05-28-2007
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Just a little update today, the new plugs are still working great and I still need to make a new video but for now this info will have to do

I was getting 19 mpg, and now I'm consistently getting 23 mpg!

thats 4 more mpg!!!
 
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