Spark Plugs

[rponycar]

My mileage is down to about 20 on the highway, and I've got rough idle on my 97 B2300. Air cleaner is new. I'm thinking it's time for a new set of plugs. At first glance I can find about 5 of them with out removing stuff. Is this a job that would make sense to have done? Should I check something easier first?
r

 

[anupaum]

My mileage is down to about 20 on the highway, and I've got rough idle on my 97 B2300. Air cleaner is new. I'm thinking it's time for a new set of plugs. At first glance I can find about 5 of them with out removing stuff. Is this a job that would make sense to have done? Should I check something easier first?
r

It doesn't hurt to swap your plugs. The platinum ones are supposed to last 100 000 km or so, but I change mine every two years.

Normally, I take the entire upper intake system off in order to make accessing the driver's side plugs easier. While I've got everything apart, I clean out the EGR and PCV. It takes about two hours for me to do this from start to finish.

 

[Dave R]

In theory you can change all 8 plugs without taking anything apart. But, here in the real world, it's usually far faster and certainly MUCH easier, to remove the upper intake/TB as an assembly and set them to the side.

 

[rponycar]

Taking the TB off sounds a little involved. Any advice before I procede?

r

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

It's straight forward once you start. The hardest thing to get to is the EGR on the back of the intake. Just take your time and you will be fine. You'll need a couple extensions and a swivel socket to get to some of the intake bolts, but it's nothing bad at all.


James

 

[ozzy85]

I changed the plugs on my '89 Ranger a couple of months ago without removing the intake... it took about 2 hours, most of it on the back two on the drivers side. Lots of patience and a couple of cuss words.

 

[Dave R]

Taking the TB off sounds a little involved. Any advice before I procede?

No need to remove the TB, just leave it attached to the upper intake and remove them as whole.

 

[Mutant Pony]

I've never pulled the upper intake to change plugs on these. I have however found engines melted down because of the upper intake gasket failure. It wouldn't hurt to buy a new gasket and change it while you are at it.