Well I FINALLY got around to changing my plugs and wires. I bought them in May and still hadnt changed them out because i knew hiw much trouble they were to change in the 4.0 SOHC. I boutht the truck at 25k mikes and assumed they had never been changed. Well i was wrong, they had STUPID Bosch plugs in it. I hate bosch plugs. I put Motorcraft Platinum plugs back in her.

While I was at it, i cleaned the IAC as well as the MAF sensor. Needless to say the truck runs a ton better and seems to havr its "getup and go" back. The IAC was nasty and i mean nasty.







So as you can see they were all nasty. Im at 89k now.

 

Holy crap that's filthy i should clean mine. 125k

 

look there isnt even a diode (or whatever its called) on the dang plugs.. i effing hate Bosch plugs

 

Close. Center Electrode. I hope you fixed you problem. That gap looks huge.

 

I have the new gap at 0.054 inches per the owners manual. It said to put them at .052-.056, so I put in the middle of that

 

She must run like new!

 

Runs a TON better!!

 

About time Scott, lol. Bosch plugs blow... motorcraft all the way. I thought doing the plugs was easy... but I'm body lifted.. I just went through the wheel wells.... super easy that way. I was pretty surprised how easy it was.

 

I went through the wheel wells as well, body lifted makes all the difference lol. it wasnt too bad, but bad enough haha. It made it easier with two people though. The IAC was a breeze!

 

motorcraft plugs are by far the best.

im glad its running better for you.

 

I need to do the same... been putting it off far too long!

 

Damnit. I just bought Bosch plugs and was looking for a thread on how to change them on a 4.0 SOHC because it looks like it's going to be a B&#$@. Why are they so bad? I bought Bosch Platinum +4's. part # 4458.

 

fords usually dont like anything other than autolite/motorcraft (same thing)

 

Thats what i read. I put ngk iridiums in n so far there playing nice. If u question it jus stick to.motorcraft finewires

 

what is the ica or the lca that you cleaned with the mas air sensor.I have a 03 ranger 4x4 fx4 with 117,230 miles on it.When it is damp out side it wants to cut in and out at a steedy speed between 30-55mph.

 

Idle Air Control. I would do a full tune up on your truck.

Plugs
Wires
Fuel filter
Clean MAF
Clean IAC

 

IVe used bosch and NGK in my truck... The only thing about bosch is you need to change them out when recommended because IMO (and most other people's opinion) they are not as high quality as motorcraft, so there is more chance of failure when they've outlived their suggested life span.


I had my NGK's in for 10k miles and the only time my truck ran like crap was when I had to put ethanol gas in it...

 

It’s a b!tch because Ford wants you to bring it to them… one of Ford other better ideas.

Always Motorcraft, Plugs/Filters/Anything with a Motorcraft Name on it.

 

Take them back

 

So I see people saying that a 'full tuneup' is needed, but only rarely find explanations as to what a full tuneup is. Other than plugs and wires, what else would should I do?

 

I've been lazy and need to get on this too. I'm waiting till my clutch is almost gone. Then when I replace it plus the tune up, hopefully it will be a whole new truck. lol Hopefully give me at least the same consistent power all the time. Right now sometimes the truck will feel super sluggish. Then other times it will feel pretty quick. I hate it.

 

Maybe a coil too. I am going to get a new one soon.

 

I put the autolite equivalent to the motorcraft plugs in my '03 4.0 last summer. Same thing, just couldn't find a dealer or parts store around that had all 6 in stock without driving all over the city. Replaced the plug wires at the same time with Motorcraft wires. neither had ever been changed, '03 with now 63,000 miles.

 

Why change the plugs at 25k? I pulled mine out at 45k. they specced out like a new plug.

 

i changed mine at 55K