• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech

Tackled the Spark Plugs Tonight...

  • Thread starter Thread starter highvolts
  • Start date Start date Apr 8, 2008
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
Next
1 of 3 Next Last

highvolts

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 1, 2003
436
2
18
Ohio
Apr 8, 2008
#1
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #1
Well, I decided to tackle the dreaded spark plugs on my 2007 GT today. Success!

For those people that do not know, the 3 valve Mustangs, F150’s, or other vehicles have a Ford 3 valve engine in it is prone to having carbon build up on the spark plug shield that sits inside the cylinder head. If too much carbon builds up, it is possible for the two piece plug to separate when removing the plug and leave you in a sticky situation that may potentially cost you some money and a trip to a dealer.

EDIT: Hoboattacker has a good thread started about Late 07 and 08 stangs and their updated plugs!http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=745436

Let me first say that some people shy away from doing this because there is a possible risk that there is already too much carbon on the plug and you could break the plug on a perfectly working car.

My GT has 18,365 miles on it and I only had second thoughts about doing this one time. The number one cylinder gave me a little bit of a fight coming out. I only used a 1/4” socket wrench, so I was able to limit the amount of torque I applied. I let it sit with a little bit more of the penetrating fluid and it came out without any issues.

I followed the TSB to the letter: http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/fad/tsb/06152.pdf

I was sure to use a lot of air from my compressor to ensure there was absolutely zero dirt in the spark plug well before I squirted it with penetrating fluid.

Below are some photos of before, during, and after I removed them and cleaned them. I did not take pictures of the application of the nickel anti-seize.


Plugs right after removal and before cleaning:


During cleaning:


After cleaning, before Nickel Anti-Seize and re-installation:
 
M

MikeysOTP

New Member
Mar 29, 2007
203
1
0
Apr 8, 2008
#2
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #2
How long did it take you to do this?
 
P

pile_53574

Member
May 1, 2005
30
4
19
SW WI
Apr 8, 2008
#3
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #3
These plugs carbon up that bad after only 18,300 mi. Wow!!
 

highvolts

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 1, 2003
436
2
18
Ohio
Apr 8, 2008
#4
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #4
MikeysOTP said:
How long did it take you to do this?
Click to expand...

I really took my time and gave the penetrating fluid extra long time to set.. All in all I'd say an hour to an hour and a half.

-Jason
 

highvolts

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 1, 2003
436
2
18
Ohio
Apr 8, 2008
#5
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #5
pile_53574 said:
These plugs carbon up that bad after only 18,300 mi. Wow!!
Click to expand...

I was surprised also! I can't imagine 50K or the even the 100K recommended change interval.
 

highvolts

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 1, 2003
436
2
18
Ohio
Apr 8, 2008
#6
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #6
Oh yea.. It also gave me time to tidy up the engine compartment..

 
S

Spdfreak

New Member
Feb 21, 2006
276
1
0
Apr 8, 2008
#7
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #7
Holy crap, I'm at 27k! I'd better get on this!
 

Radman

New Member
Feb 4, 2007
113
0
0
Texas
Apr 8, 2008
#8
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #8
Interesting...I need to do the same work soon. If you were to replace the spark plugs are there any recommendations? Might be nice to have a fresh set ready to go whenever you get ready to swap.

Also had anyone spent the time to index their plugs? If so where did you end up putting the electrode 90, 180, 270, etc.?

Nice post thanks!
 

highvolts

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 1, 2003
436
2
18
Ohio
Apr 8, 2008
#9
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #9
Radman said:
Interesting...I need to do the same work soon. If you were to replace the spark plugs are there any recommendations? Might be nice to have a fresh set ready to go whenever you get ready to swap.

Also had anyone spent the time to index their plugs? If so where did you end up putting the electrode 90, 180, 270, etc.?

Nice post thanks!
Click to expand...

As far as a replacement, I know there is a champion one and I think there might be a new autolite that is put in late 07, and 08 cars.

I didn't even want to spend the time to index these.

-Jason
 

Radman

New Member
Feb 4, 2007
113
0
0
Texas
Apr 8, 2008
#10
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #10
Thanks for a great useful post!
 
H

Hoboattacker

New Member
Sep 7, 2005
542
0
0
Baton Rouge (LSU) / Houston, TX
Apr 8, 2008
#11
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #11
Just so people know, the 08's have a different type of spark plug. It is the more conventional spark plug that is not the 2 piece; it is now a 1 piece set. From what I'm hearing from Livernois, they haven't seen this consistently yet to be sure if it is all of them (I think) but if this is true, there may be a fix for the earlier guys in the form of new heads if you ever do build a motor.
 
M

mustangfo

New Member
Apr 11, 2005
26
0
1
Jacksonville
Apr 9, 2008
#12
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #12
I have 49,000 miles and was going to change my plugs on my car for the first time. You guys think that i should just take it to the dealer and let them do it or try to do it myself. I have priced the dealer and they told me $140. I already have the plugs autolight HT0
 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Apr 9, 2008
#13
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #13
Great post! Good news that yours all came out without breaking I would easily spend the amount of time you did if not more to try and ensure no major problems arise!
I've done most of the mods(all except mufflers, H pipe & gears)on my car myself and most of the time it exceeds the estimated time, but they have been trouble free
The only reason I didn't do the muffler swap on my car was due to only having it two weeks and not on here much at all and I had no idea they were bolt on, not weld in like the previous body styles Since then I've swapped them myself when I had to get a replacement set of Flows
 

Art161

Member
Sep 26, 2006
130
0
16
San Francisco
Apr 9, 2008
#14
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #14
What brand of gasoline do you use?
 

highvolts

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 1, 2003
436
2
18
Ohio
Apr 9, 2008
#15
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #15
Art161 said:
What brand of gasoline do you use?
Click to expand...

Mobil1 87
 
M

MikeysOTP

New Member
Mar 29, 2007
203
1
0
Apr 9, 2008
#16
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #16
highvolts said:
I really took my time and gave the penetrating fluid extra long time to set.. All in all I'd say an hour to an hour and a half.

-Jason
Click to expand...

Thanks, I am thinking I should probably do this as well.

BTW, what's up with that stock intake?
 
C

CPman

New Member
Apr 2, 2005
129
0
0
Apr 9, 2008
#17
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #17
So what happens to all the loose carbon pieces (that were between the extended tip and cylinder head) and penatrating fluid that soaks in around the spark plug. Does it drop in the cylinder when the plug is taken out. Yikes, that can't be good.
 

Emay

Member
Oct 4, 2006
228
1
18
South Elgin, IL
Apr 9, 2008
#18
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #18
CPman said:
So what happens to all the loose carbon pieces (that were between the extended tip and cylinder head) and penatrating fluid that soaks in around the spark plug. Does it drop in the cylinder when the plug is taken out. Yikes, that can't be good.
Click to expand...

Burns off and is passed out through the exhaust valve, it's a non issue..
 

highvolts

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 1, 2003
436
2
18
Ohio
Apr 9, 2008
#19
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #19
MikeysOTP said:
BTW, what's up with that stock intake?
Click to expand...

Dangit... You don't miss anything! I've got a K&N Drop-in installed right now, but eventually I'll get a CAI & Tune.
 

highvolts

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 1, 2003
436
2
18
Ohio
Apr 9, 2008
#20
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #20
Emay said:
Burns off and is passed out through the exhaust valve, it's a non issue..
Click to expand...

What Emay said...

Its just carbon and a little combustible fluid. I'm sure its ok.
 
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
Next
1 of 3 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

96 GT 4.6 w/ dirty spark plug well
  • Mustang Momma
  • Apr 7, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
120
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 9, 2026
LILCBRA
K
Resolved Weird sound coming from a freshly rebuilt 5.0L
  • karhoot
  • Jun 24, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
177
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 27, 2026
Mac131
M
01 mustang 3.8 fuel pressure issue
  • Mhaley2006
  • May 29, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
111
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 29, 2026
Mhaley2006
M
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
132
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
377
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?