4.0 drivers rear spark plug angle. Scared!

[ryan2022]

Hi guys,

Just changed 4 out of 6 of the plugs on my B4000.

I cant get to the back two passenger plugs until I can jack it up.

I noticed the rear drivers plug went in well 3 or 4 turns by hand then tightened up. I took it out and did it again, but same thing.

The boot is on a different angle than the other two plugs on that side......Is this normal?

I think it might be cross threaded. The engine misses at idle and low RPM, BUT I still have two old nasty 90K mile originals in there. They are in pretty bad shape. Could the computer not like this?

the truck was idling perfectly before hand.

Thanks.

Ryan

 

[gw33gp]

I just replaced the spark plugs in my truck. All of the spark plugs were at the same angle. Of course, the driver's side angles forward and the passenger's side angles to the rear but each side has three spark plugs with the same angle. You might check to make sure you got the boot on correct. They are sometimes difficult to get right.

When I changed them before, I took it for a test drive and when I accelerated under moderate load it would misfire. I found one of the spark plug wires was not fully seated. I worked with it and got it on right and it then ran perfectly.

I don't think the computer would cause a misfire because of the two old plugs.

 

[RonD]

Yes, same angle on the 3 on each side.

So there is a problem and that would explain the miss, if spark plug is not all the way into the cylinder.

This can be a delicate issue, to retap the spark plug hole, you may only get one chance at it, and if it doesn't work you have to pull the head off.
So spending a little money for a mechanic that has retapped spark plug holes might be worth it in the long run, vs. having to pull the head for a DIY goof.

 

[PanamaExpat]

Sorry to hear you got one in crossed. Here is what they should look like. If not retap or I have heard of some folks using helicoils with success.

As for your miss... Did you get the plug wires properly seated on the plug caps? Did you remove them by pulling on the boot and not the wires. Plug wires come apart pretty easily. Or as Ron said maybe you have one not all the way in the cylinder. Did yuo look at the one that did not go in? Were the threads buggered up?

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks guys,

Well the plugs and wires were in rough shape, so I'm replacing the wires as well. I got the last two installed and it still misses. I'll try putting the new wires on tomorrow and see. If not, I'm just going to take it toa shop with my tail between my legs.

Its funny, it idles rough, but when its moving it is definetely smoother and more gutsy, so it was time.

On a side note. My truck is the 4.0 Automatic. I had the trans flushed and keep the fluids changed. How reliable is this combo? Ive heard different stories. Are the issues mainly from deglect or abuse?