spark plug replacement on the 2019+ rangers and cold/heat soak issue?

[silverflash]

so i am considering a new 2021 ranger. i read here that the spark plug change needs to happen with a warm engine versus hot or cold. i've always done mine cold. it says you risk damaging heads if you do it when cold? has this happened to anyone? i am a diy'er and everything else seems easy enough except transmission. just want to go into it knowing what to worry about.

thanks!

 

[Dirtman]

I have no idea if they actually changed the plug style from the duratec predecessor but I do mine stone cold. I would be very leary changing plugs with the engine warm when you have aluminum heads like the ecoboost/duratec since aluminum expands more than steel. Trying to remove them while the warm/hot would increase the chance of stripping out the threads. On iron heads eh who cares, but aluminum should be cold!

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Not a Ford or Ranger thing, it has to do with Aluminum heads and steel spark plugs

You should never change plugs when heads are hot, the aluminum expands more that steel when heated so threads will be distorted when hot
Warm is better, and just warm to the touch so you wouldn't get burned, so comfortably warm

This is better for when you torque the new spark plugs in the heads, DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN steel spark plugs into aluminum heads!!!
(trouble removing old spark plugs is almost ALWAYS caused by the last person over tightening them)
Doing it in a warm head can prevent over tightening, because the aluminum heads will still be slightly expanded so you will hit the correct torque sooner than in a cold head

You need an in/pound torque wrench, spec is 106in/pound, so UNDER 9ft/lb!!! which is barely "snug", lol

 

[bobbywalter]

I don't do them hot.....warm or cold.

And I anti sieze them right away on ford's.....because.....mods and tritons.....


But....there is etiquette in applying that crap too

 

[racsan]

Ive always done cold and used anti-seize on plugs before & never had a issue with ones Ive put in. The 5.4 triton is a major pain when dealing with plugs, Did dads ‘05 superduty 6 years ago, only 2 came out without breaking. Makes you really miss the engines of the past, esp the 300.