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Car Forum / Ford / Ford Cars / March 2005What constitutes 'severe duty' to a spark plug - re 98 Ford Club Wagon 5.4L
The service guide for my '98 Ford Club Wagon says that my spark plugs should be replaced at 100,000 miles. With 75,000 miles on the van now, I've got mysterious stalling problems when approaching an intersection; i.e, when decelererating. I strongly suspect the engine is running lean. The leanness is not overwhelming, however. There is some pinging, while on the freeway, especially during the warmer times of the day, that was never evident before. The timing is OK, according to the OBDII break out. Nevertheless, it would probably be a good idea to change the spark plugs. After all, a few misfires, especially as low idle, might cause an engine to stall. So I looked at my service guide, and sure enough, it says I'm early if I only have 75K miles. But wait, there is a "severe duty schedule" that says the plugs should be changed at 60,000 miles. This van gets a great deal of work on short-haul trips. I have heard that this is hard on the engine lubricant. Would it wear spark plugs prematurely? Why? Because they're "cold" much of the time? Does "cold combustion" age spark plugs at an accelerated rate? I would especially appreciate any shared experiences on this matter. Severe service for a spark plug could be lots of high load operation (hauling heavy loads, towing, etc.), or lots of short trip driving that includes a lot of idling. The mileage guideline are based on an assumed number of engine hours per mile. Anything that requires more engine hours per mile driven impacts this. If you have a stalling problem, I'd suspect the IAC (Idle Air Control). Depositions can build up on these and affect there ability to stabilize the idle. They are easily removed and replaced. Cleaning may be effective (or may not). A new one is less than $100 at the dealer. Ed > The service guide for my '98 Ford Club Wagon says that my spark plugs should > be replaced at 100,000 miles. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > I would especially appreciate any shared experiences on this matter. I'll change the plugs, but I don't think they're responsible for my stalling problem. I like your idea. I have a CDROM mechanic's manual ('98 Ford) that says the same thing. However, I can't find the IAC in the manual...or under the "hood" (which is a nasty place to look for anything). Can you tip me on where this IAC would be? The manual says to disable the IAC, and observe a change in idle. Disablement should adversely affect idle.. And of course it will because my problem manifests only occasionally > If you have a stalling problem, I'd suspect the IAC (Idle > Air Control). Depositions can build up on these and affect [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Ed >I'll change the plugs, but I don't think they're responsible for my stalling >problem. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >> >> Ed lmfao save your $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ buy a good quality throttle body cleaner in spray can about 10-20 bucks remove pipe to throttle body so butterfly is exposed shoot it through while emgine runs try to maintain idle as to suck the stuff up the iac passage hurc ast The IAC is a shiny chrome looking cylinder about 1.5 inches in diameter with a flange on one side near the front. It will be attached to the intake manifold by two screws. There will be an electrical connector on the opposite end. It is very easy to remove if you can get to it. Ed > I'll change the plugs, but I don't think they're responsible for my > stalling [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >> >> Ed I'll change the plugs, but I don't think they're responsible for my stalling problem. I like your idea. I have a CDROM mechanic's manual ('98 Ford) that says the same thing. However, I can't find the IAC in the manual...or under the "hood" (which is a nasty place to look for anything). Can you tip me on where this IAC would be? The manual says to disable the IAC, and observe a change in idle. Disablement should adversely affect idle.. And of course it would because my problem manifests only occasionally. > If you have a stalling problem, I'd suspect the IAC (Idle > Air Control). Depositions can build up on these and affect [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Ed >The service guide for my '98 Ford Club Wagon says that my spark plugs should >be replaced at 100,000 miles. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > >I would especially appreciate any shared experiences on this matter. severe = IE delivery van, police car etc something someone who does not own it bags on everyday the average guy is light duty hurc ast |
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