Changing Spark Plugs!

Wikkd GT · 06-04-2003, 05:18 PM

I was wondering how often should I change the spark plugs on a stock 2000 GT. Asking because it has 26,000 miles on it and I just bought it. Also is this a hard thing to do on this car?

Badass_yellowGT · 06-04-2003, 10:04 PM

i would say maybe 80,000 and they are a PITA to change make sure you have plenty of knuck joints for number 3 and 4 cylinder

Hammer · 06-04-2003, 10:11 PM

When in doubt, consult your maintenance schedule provided in the car's manual. My 5.0 LX's manual suggests every 30k miles, but the mileage may vary on the modular engines...

The spark plugs are good indicators if you think there may be something wrong with your engine.

Some things that you'll need when dealing with a modular when changing plugs...

A magnetic spark plug socket with a universal joint
a socket extension
a good ratchet

Small hands and strong knuckles help too... Modulars are not the easiest engines to change plugs on...

explicitone · 06-05-2003, 12:10 AM

I change mine once a year and make sure the engine is cold and I mean cold or you could damage the threads on the heads and make sure to use anti-seize

95mustanggt · 06-05-2003, 11:10 AM

..and make sure you come up with a few good swears that help you out. Mine is "you f***ing co**suker!" Seems to work every time! I just mutter those words, and presto, car goes together!

jj_jonathon · 06-05-2003, 12:23 PM

how the h*ll does all that work in the new ones? with the 90gt all we had to do with pull off the wire, unscrew the spark plug and switch it...

when i look under the hood of my 02gt i see a bunch of tape and plastic...i see where theyre hiding the plugs, but i dont see how to change em..lol...nor can i find a distributor cap! anyone wanna clue me in?

Hammer · 06-05-2003, 12:36 PM

Quote:

nor can i find a distributor cap! anyone wanna clue me in?

OK, now you're scaring me...

jj_jonathon · 06-05-2003, 01:52 PM

i never said i knew engines...ive honestly only ever done mild work on the 90....and ive taken nothing apart (beyond the cai

) on my 02...so i was confused when i looked under the hood and couldnt tell where the spark plug wires went....and even more confused when i couldnt replace them with some sharper yellow or blue 9mm wires...

care to enlighten me?

Hammer · 06-05-2003, 04:44 PM

The 99-up GTs use a coil-on-plug ignition.
There is no distributor cap...

SMOKE · 06-07-2003, 08:38 AM

Physics major and confused by this lil' modular?

Sounds kinda funny to me.

I bet you can explain fluid dynamics and laws of thermodynamics, but to hear you're a lil' confused on changing spark plugs ...

It isn't hard.

Take a pic and let us talk you through - or better yet get Chilton's.

GTJules99 · 06-07-2003, 09:38 AM

We replaced my 99 plugs last night. It took about 45 mins to do and wasn't very difficult. The mileage on the car was 80,300 or something like that. I would suggest changing it before 80,000 because some of the plugs were rounded and had way too much gap. I think the suggestion is every 30,000.

Jules

mlambrecht82 · 06-09-2003, 04:55 AM

The plugs on your mustang are under the coils right next to your fuel injectors. You will need a 7 mm socket (if I remember right) to pull the coils off the plugs, and then a 5/8 " spark plug socket with an extension, a universal joint might help, but I have pulled my plugs out several times, without them. Just take your time when finding a place to slide the socket through. I've changed my plugs in under 30 mins several times, IMO the newer modulars are a lot easier to change than the older ones, the plugs are on top instead of on the side my the header. The antiseize is a good idea too. You should have platinum plugs which are rated for 100,000 miles. I would change it before 80,000 though, just to be safe. Make sure you gap all the plugs evenly and to the right size, there is no such thing as pre-gapped plugs. Use a wire feeler gauge and make sure that the electrode is spaced at a 90 degree angle, otherweise you will shorten the life of the plugs.

ajcolv · 06-09-2003, 12:20 PM

Ford puts their platinum plugs in which are supposed to last 100k miles. Most people recommend changing at about 50k. I am not very mechanically inclined, and just dove right in. the first time I changed the plugs it took about an hour and half because I went really slow. The next time I changed them it took me maybe 20 minutes. The plugs are incredibly easy to change.

06-04-2003, 05:18 PM	#1
Wikkd GT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 12	Changing Spark Plugs! I was wondering how often should I change the spark plugs on a stock 2000 GT. Asking because it has 26,000 miles on it and I just bought it. Also is this a hard thing to do on this car?

06-04-2003, 10:04 PM	#2
Badass_yellowGT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western,MA Posts: 254	i would say maybe 80,000 and they are a PITA to change make sure you have plenty of knuck joints for number 3 and 4 cylinder __________________ Rice Haters Club Member #55 For My car Specs Click the Home page link http://www.badassyellowgt.50g.com/

06-04-2003, 10:11 PM	#3
Hammer AKA "Dr. Evil" Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: South Fork Ranch Posts: 1,721	When in doubt, consult your maintenance schedule provided in the car's manual. My 5.0 LX's manual suggests every 30k miles, but the mileage may vary on the modular engines... The spark plugs are good indicators if you think there may be something wrong with your engine. Some things that you'll need when dealing with a modular when changing plugs... A magnetic spark plug socket with a universal joint a socket extension a good ratchet Small hands and strong knuckles help too... Modulars are not the easiest engines to change plugs on... __________________ Uncle Sam "What the hell is up with all the gauges? Calling Captain Kirk, your ride awaits... Phasers on stun...."

06-05-2003, 12:10 AM	#4
explicitone Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: racine ,wi Posts: 691	I change mine once a year and make sure the engine is cold and I mean cold or you could damage the threads on the heads and make sure to use anti-seize __________________ RUN IT STAIGHT AND RUN IT HARD ________ Novi 2000 60' 1.46 1/4 10.67 mph 126.5 _________

06-05-2003, 11:10 AM	#5
95mustanggt Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Kamloops, BC Posts: 2,875	..and make sure you come up with a few good swears that help you out. Mine is "you f*ing cosuker!" Seems to work every time! I just mutter those words, and presto, car goes together! __________________ 1995 Mustang GT 20016 F150 Lariat Super Crew

06-05-2003, 12:23 PM	#6
jj_jonathon Trisket Join Date: May 2002 Location: University of Florida, FL Posts: ½ Posts: 1,560	how the h*ll does all that work in the new ones? with the 90gt all we had to do with pull off the wire, unscrew the spark plug and switch it... when i look under the hood of my 02gt i see a bunch of tape and plastic...i see where theyre hiding the plugs, but i dont see how to change em..lol...nor can i find a distributor cap! anyone wanna clue me in? __________________ University of Florida - Physics Major My 02GT vert Media Center Pics BBK Underdrive Pulleys \| K&N FIPK (Gen II) \| Bullet Grille \| Mach 1 Chin Spoiler \| UPR Interior Parts \| XM Radio \| Audiobahn Subs Ricer Hater's Club Member #1/2 (30) http://www.ricehatersclub.com/

06-05-2003, 01:52 PM	#8
jj_jonathon Trisket Join Date: May 2002 Location: University of Florida, FL Posts: ½ Posts: 1,560	i never said i knew engines...ive honestly only ever done mild work on the 90....and ive taken nothing apart (beyond the cai ) on my 02...so i was confused when i looked under the hood and couldnt tell where the spark plug wires went....and even more confused when i couldnt replace them with some sharper yellow or blue 9mm wires... care to enlighten me? __________________ University of Florida - Physics Major My 02GT vert Media Center Pics BBK Underdrive Pulleys \| K&N FIPK (Gen II) \| Bullet Grille \| Mach 1 Chin Spoiler \| UPR Interior Parts \| XM Radio \| Audiobahn Subs Ricer Hater's Club Member #1/2 (30) http://www.ricehatersclub.com/

06-05-2003, 04:44 PM	#9
Hammer AKA "Dr. Evil" Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: South Fork Ranch Posts: 1,721	The 99-up GTs use a coil-on-plug ignition. There is no distributor cap... __________________ Uncle Sam "What the hell is up with all the gauges? Calling Captain Kirk, your ride awaits... Phasers on stun...."

06-07-2003, 08:38 AM	#10
SMOKE Old School ROUSH Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Stockbridge, GA Posts: 531	Physics major and confused by this lil' modular? Sounds kinda funny to me. I bet you can explain fluid dynamics and laws of thermodynamics, but to hear you're a lil' confused on changing spark plugs ... It isn't hard. Take a pic and let us talk you through - or better yet get Chilton's.

06-07-2003, 09:38 AM	#11
GTJules99 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Daytona Beach, Florida Posts: 24	We replaced my 99 plugs last night. It took about 45 mins to do and wasn't very difficult. The mileage on the car was 80,300 or something like that. I would suggest changing it before 80,000 because some of the plugs were rounded and had way too much gap. I think the suggestion is every 30,000. Jules __________________ 1999 Mustang GT - Anniversary, Limited Edition - Silver His name is "Squat."

06-09-2003, 04:55 AM	#12
mlambrecht82 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 101	The plugs on your mustang are under the coils right next to your fuel injectors. You will need a 7 mm socket (if I remember right) to pull the coils off the plugs, and then a 5/8 " spark plug socket with an extension, a universal joint might help, but I have pulled my plugs out several times, without them. Just take your time when finding a place to slide the socket through. I've changed my plugs in under 30 mins several times, IMO the newer modulars are a lot easier to change than the older ones, the plugs are on top instead of on the side my the header. The antiseize is a good idea too. You should have platinum plugs which are rated for 100,000 miles. I would change it before 80,000 though, just to be safe. Make sure you gap all the plugs evenly and to the right size, there is no such thing as pre-gapped plugs. Use a wire feeler gauge and make sure that the electrode is spaced at a 90 degree angle, otherweise you will shorten the life of the plugs. __________________ _________________________________ 04 Cobra densecharger CAI BBK off road X pipe Custom Electronic Exhaust cut outs Tuning via Diablo Predator Ported and polished Throttle body and plenum Line locker (for the smoke shows) Stock boost 412 rwhp 379 rwtq

06-09-2003, 12:20 PM	#13
ajcolv Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 58	Ford puts their platinum plugs in which are supposed to last 100k miles. Most people recommend changing at about 50k. I am not very mechanically inclined, and just dove right in. the first time I changed the plugs it took about an hour and half because I went really slow. The next time I changed them it took me maybe 20 minutes. The plugs are incredibly easy to change. __________________ -Aaron "Lita" 97 Mustang GT Vert -------------------------------------- k&n, air silencer removed, Magnapack cat-back, BBK o/r h-pipe, Ford red front calipers

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