• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Changing spark plugs on a 4.0 SOHC


bodkin1

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
167
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Age
39
Location
Carbondale, Illinois
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
Is there any good way to change the spark plugs on a 4.0 SOHC? Looking at the engine from the top it would be next to impossible, and dread the eventual time they will need to be replaced... hell and I thought the ones on my '93 2.3 were a PITA to change.

So just short of sending it to a shop to save my time and sanity how have you DIYers been able to change them?
 


TimR

New Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Messages
234
Reaction score
3
Points
0
Location
Ambridge, PA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
through the wheel wells?
 

88_Eddie

Well-Known Member
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Oct 1, 2009
Messages
6,610
Reaction score
155
Points
63
Location
Raleigh, NC
Vehicle Year
1988, 2000
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9L, 4.0L
Transmission
Manual
yep, through the wheel wells. next to impossbile to get to from the top
 

powerranger262

New Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
390
Reaction score
6
Points
0
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Automatic
Don't be scared, it's super easy.

Step one, pull passenger wheel and inner fender plastics



Step two, remove, they are right there and don't get any easier.



Driver side you can get from the top.
 

kcm1582

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Joined
Nov 14, 2008
Messages
1,299
Reaction score
39
Points
48
Age
35
Location
Worcester, MA
Vehicle Year
2005
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
This is the setup I use at work to change the right side plugs, just pull the inner fenders and they are right in front of you.



 

Kloque

New Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1994, 1991
Make / Model
Ford, Suzuki
Transmission
Manual
I just did all the plugs in my 94' 4.0 4WD. And I did them all from the top. I just disconnected the tiny vaccum lines on the passengers side so I could get my arms down there. For the farthest one back on the passengers side I needed a swivel. For the others, I used either a 6" or 3" extension, or both on a couple. It was actually pretty easy.
 
Last edited:

gw33gp

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Ham Radio Operator
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
1,723
Reaction score
527
Points
113
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
33"
Kloque, In case you don't know, the 94 4.0 is not SOHC unless you did an engine swap.
 

bodkin1

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
167
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Age
39
Location
Carbondale, Illinois
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
Don't be scared, it's super easy.

Step one, pull passenger wheel and inner fender plastics



Step two, remove, they are right there and don't get any easier.



Driver side you can get from the top.
I take it the way to remove the inner fender is to remove the 3 bolts up front, and the two that run up the middle of the wheel well, and then it should come out? After I have it jacked up and the wheel removed of course.
 

bodkin1

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
167
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Age
39
Location
Carbondale, Illinois
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
Finally completed it, it was almost right at a 3 hour job. Went thru the passenger side by removing the inner fender. Driver side from the top. Only trouble was getting the plug wire boots loose (I believe it still had the factory plugs/wires), especially the middle one on the passenger side, with the trans dipstick tube right in the way. Sprayed the boots to kingdom come with WD40, to help aid in the removal process. Of course made sure to coat the threads of the new ones with anti-seize.
 
Last edited:

Ammon

New Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Automatic
Don't be scared, it's super easy.

Step one, pull passenger wheel and inner fender plastics



Step two, remove, they are right there and don't get any easier.



Driver side you can get from the top.
The obstructions(Heater radiator, etc.) on my 2003 4.0 SOHC are much lower than that pictured.
 

morsetaper2

New Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2013
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Gaithersburg, MD
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
On a 2011 SOHC 4.0... Are you removing just the rubber flap? Or the entire plastic inner fenderwell? Can't tell w/ the blurred photobucket pictures.
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
You should only need to move the rubber flap.
 

morsetaper2

New Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2013
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Gaithersburg, MD
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
I checked the EZ sparkplug to get to, on drivers side. It was a Motorcraft AGSF24N. Reading on the net, I might well find a diff p/n plug (same base # but with diff suffix ending) on pass side.

Fordparts.com website says to use SP-412, which is nickel plug. Reading about waste spark... what is correct dbl plat motocraft plug to get? SP-500? Which all the auto parts palces says "Not A Fit" for my 2011 4.0 Ranger.

Had no idea p/n's are so convoluted. Getting the p/n straight looks harder than changing the plugs. LOL!
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
The nickel plugs are supposed to have a similar life to platinum. I have been running the SP-412s in both mine for a while and have yet to have an issue. I think the worst thing that has happened so far is one cracked an insulator.

The big thing is that in a waste spark system the spark moves in one direction, so one plug fires the traditional way, from the plug wire down, and the other plug the spark jumps up towards the plug wire. If you don't have properly matched plugs one side wears out faster than the other.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top