Plugs and wires anyone >>

[pat julian]

Having killed the CEL with a new EGR valve..and 300 miles later still off..I'm on to solving the miss upon acceleration..sometimes a little worse than others
..not noticeable at speeds over 65 mph. The plug wires look to be the originals from the factory..I haven't put a meter on them to check resistance..but figured I'd replace them with the plugs..unless you guys can think of another reason for the miss. No CEL..and getting 25 mpg give or take at 65-70 mph. What plugs and wires do you recommend ?? Kinda shocked when I looked online at prices..used to throwing three NGK'S for six bucks in the old Metro I drove every 100,000 whether it needed it or not...Thanks again...

 

[RonD]

I assume at 25MPG you are not running a 5.0l swap, lol?

So 2.3L, dual coil 8 spark plugs

Yes, factory wires last about 15 years so you are do for a change.
Spark plugs come in different flavors now, and it basically is comes down to how long they should last before they need to be replaced again.

My Cadillac CTS has 100,000 mile spark plugs, they lasted till 120k and were still working fine but I replaced them when I did the valve cover gaskets.
$9 each, but PITA to get to, so.........I guess it is worth it, lol.

Most spark plugs are rated for 20-30k, they have 50k and 80k versions as well, of course they are priced higher for higher rating.

So it really depends on how much of a PITA it is to change them as to what you get.


The ICM(ignition control module) on the 2.3L is prone to problems, it can be tested at most auto parts stores, but it can also be a pain to get out.

 

[pat julian]

Duhhhh should have mentioned '93 2.3 Ranger...thanks...the PITA factor is ok..I do the 6 that's easy to get to...call my real mechanic son to do the other two..My son has a friend that has a scan tool pc thing...would that read the ICM..and give me an indication of where the miss is ???

 

[Mikel89us]

That depends on what scan tool he has, most scan tools nowadays won't read older ecus, they don't have the capability to hook up.

 

[RonD]

Duhhhh should have mentioned '93 2.3 Ranger...thanks...the PITA factor is ok..I do the 6 that's easy to get to...call my real mechanic son to do the other two..My son has a friend that has a scan tool pc thing...would that read the ICM..and give me an indication of where the miss is ???

No, the ICM is not the Computer(PCM, power control module, aka: ECM, engine control module).

The ICM is located on the intake manifold and "reports" to the PCM but is an independent system.
There could be a code in the computers history file that might be helpful, so hooking up an OBD I reader could help you.
An OBD II scan tool will not work however, must be the older OBD I scan tool.

 

[1996fordranger]

mine pulled a code for missing on cylinder 1 so i replaced the wires and no more code its been 4 months so far

 

[pat julian]

Looking at the options for plugs and wires...I see plugs from 3.00 up to 12.00...Is a 12 dollar plug gonna be THAT much better ?? Same with the wires..If throwing high dollar plugs and wires make a 10 mpg difference..then..I see..but...Just don't think there's much difference...what do you guys recommend for a '93..2.3...manual ?? thanks..

 

[RonD]

Stick with 8mm wires, the cheaper wires will be fine they will have boots that are hard to get off when they harden up.

$3 spark plugs are fine as well, should be good for 2 years depending on how many miles you run a year.
As said the more expensive plugs will last longer, but a $12 plug would probably last you 6 years so 3 changes of $3 plugs only $9 so less $$, BUT you have to include the time it takes to change the plugs.
A mechanic charges the same labor to put in $3 plugs or $12 plugs, so if you were paying someone to change the plugs the the $12 plugs are cheaper after 6 years

 

[pat julian]

Makes sense to me...I can't afford to pay a mechanic...hell..can't afford to pay me...think I will invest in a set of plug wire pullers...or what ever they are called...last time several years ago...I pulled the wire out of the boot on the hard to get back plugs drivers side...had to fab a slicing tool from a coat hanger to get the boots of...lesson learned..and will lube the boots so they don't fry to the plugs...thanks for the replies...hopefully..plugs and wires will cure the miss...

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Maybe put a timing light on each individual plug wire and shine it on something dark you will see the miss if it happens. New wires will not hurt anything thats for sure you can also do a spark gap test using a spark gap tester.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Enclosed-8-..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item1c05e7748e&vxp=mtr
one like this would work good and protect the ICM from damage. I`m just guessing but it should jump a gap of at least 3/4 inch on all the plug wires.

 

[pat julian]

What do you guys recommend for plugs brand wise ?? i see several for 2.99 from Autolite, Boshe,..etc..same for plug wires..the 8mm cheap set work as well as the high dollar 8mm ??? gonna head over to Orielly's in the morning..thanks..pj

 

[6.2]

Motocraft. Which I believe is autolite.

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[NIPs]

first off 25mpg at 65-70mph is normal, 2ndly id change them plugs and wires, cyl 4 ur gona need to remove the upper half of the intake in order to get to it, my 99 2.5l when running normal and not with a broken EGR tube i can get 400miles to a tank a gas or more using 93 octane( i run 93 octane cuz i have 200k miles less likely to lead to misfire or detonation) my best gas milage is 28mpg hwy and 22 city, and i do alot more city than hwy, also id wait til its warmer out to do plugs im up here in michigan where its been the coldest winter weve had in 40yrs, warmer and colder temperatures can affect the life of a plug its better to do them in more reasonalble mild temps than it being cold, or unless u have a garage u can do them in also helps