Ranger 3.0 Spark plug change any tips?

[Stewie]

I am not sure where I would ask this question so I though the general area would be fine.
I am about to tackle a Spark plug wire and Plug change on my 2002 Ranger Edge 3.0. I was wondering if there were any tips before I start. the back plug on the passenger side looks a little tight. Also this is my first Ford and I was wondering if the Motorcraft wire set will come with all the looms and clips.
I see the wires are clipped onto the valve cover gasket bolts. Do they just pull off?
I am using all Ford parts.
Thanks for any tips guys. I am hoping your experience will save me some time and some skinned knuckles.

 

[Stewie]

Thanks for that. I wasn't sure if I would have to reuse the looms and clips.
Any trick to getting that back plug out. I have a special plug wrench with a swivel on it and I might try that.

 

[adsm08]

Take the wheel off, go in from the side. I know that works on the 4.0, I'd guess it would be equally successful on a 3.0

 

[Ranger44]

That back passenger one is nothing, if you just use a great gift god gave you.

Use a swivle........u-joint....bendie......whatever else people call them. lol

 

[Stewie]

That back passenger one is nothing, if you just use a great gift god gave you.

Use a swivle........u-joint....bendie......whatever else people call them. lol

I had a good look at it yesterday and I was trying to see where the problems would arise. I was surprised that guys are recommending taking off the dust flap on the inner fender on the drivers side. They seemed to be very accessible from the top. I will use that tip, but it just shows you how things look easy at first glance. I thought for sure that the passenger rear would be a problem.
I have both a spark plug wrench with a joint in it, and a swivel socket attachment.
Thanks again for all the tips guys!

 

[straycat]

I had a good look at it yesterday and I was trying to see where the problems would arise. I was surprised that guys are recommending taking off the dust flap on the inner fender on the drivers side. They seemed to be very accessible from the top. I will use that tip, but it just shows you how things look easy at first glance. I thought for sure that the passenger rear would be a problem.
I have both a spark plug wrench with a joint in it, and a swivel socket attachment.
Thanks again for all the tips guys!

With my bl you have a lot of access to the whole area. I had to remove the gap guards (which come off easy). It is a bit of a pain to get to the plugs and wires when you swap them out. I never thought that it would be so hard to do a plug wire and plug swap on my Ranger until I went to do it. Ford has some stupid ideas but it is just a Stealership rip off since they know people will come in when it is time to do maintenance on their vehicles.

 

[LearjetMinako]

I don't have any good tips for a 3.0L. But I do have some good general tips on changing plugs. 1.) before you remove any plug, use compressed air to clean debris away from the old plug. This way, pebbles, dirt, won't fall into the cylinder. 2.) Use an anti-seize compound on the threads of the new plugs. This way, when it is time to change those out, it won't be hard. 3.) Use di-electric grease on the inside of the plug wire boot. Makes for easier installation and removal later.

 

[OilPatch197]

and if your using a sloppy U-Joint, wrap some electrical tape around it, it will still flex but won't flop around and get your plugs dirty.

 

[JohnnyO]

Rear pass side plug, yeah, just take the wheel off and get it that way. AFAIK, new wire sets do not come with new clips and looms. At least I never bought one that did. Do not use multi-electrode plugs like Bosch +2 or +4, they do not get along well with the late-model Ford ignition system. Just get Autolite or Motorcraft double platinum.

 

[Stewie]

Thanks for all the help guys. I did the swap today. New wires and new motorcraft platinum plugs. There were dual electrode Boschs in it. I pulled the looms and cleaned them up and reused them. It took a while but I was in no hurry. The edge is a little high and I had to use a stool. I was able to get all the plugs from the top, without any issues. Now she runs really smooth. It was surging with the Bosch plugs. It could have been the wires as well.
I am glad I didn't need to use any of the tips you guys gave me. It was pretty straight forward.
Thanks again.

 

[RangerRage]

Ok. I know. Awakening a zombie thread. But when I did my plugs on my 04 edge, I didn't have a u joint. I put the socket on first, by itself, then connected the ratchet right to the socket. No extension. Then simply used the rarcher to loosen the plug, removed the ratchet and unscrewed the plug, with the socket, by hand. Worked great.