need detailed info on how to change plugs - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

jcpursell · 07-11-2010, 07:23

have 3.9l ford freestar and need to change plugs; need info on how to access. i tried to find on 16 pages of posts, no sucess, i tried search and won't bring up?

**360ci** · 07-12-2010, 13:53

V6 engines on any vehicle are a PITA. I suggest spending the $20 or so and picking up a Haynes or Chiltons repair manual at your local auto parts store. It'll give you fairly detailed instructions on how to replace plugs, as well as other regular maintenance items that you should be able to do yourself.

Off hand though, I know that 90% of the time, you have to remove the air box, intake pipe and the wiper cowl to access the rear plugs. Even after that, they'll still be hard to get to.

jcpursell · 07-12-2010, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by 360ci

V6 engines on any vehicle are a PITA. I suggest spending the $20 or so and picking up a Haynes or Chiltons repair manual at your local auto parts store. It'll give you fairly detailed instructions on how to replace plugs, as well as other regular maintenance items that you should be able to do yourself.

Off hand though, I know that 90% of the time, you have to remove the air box, intake pipe and the wiper cowl to access the rear plugs. Even after that, they'll still be hard to get to.

thanks for info,looks like a challenge,i looked for haynes man but haven't found any current ones yet

**360ci** · 07-12-2010, 17:38

Canadian Freestars only came with the 4.2L

I assumed a manual would be published by now considering the vans were discontinued a few years ago now. Strange.

You can try searching online for an "FSM" or factory service manual, it's close to what the dealerships reference to for repair work.

jcpursell · 07-17-2010, 17:42

i found haynes manual thru 2007 freestar, said remove
wiper cowl.

now have changed plugs on 3.9l freestar-@6hrs
remove upper and lower cowl;air box right side at fire wall.

got front 3 plugs from underneath

rear 3 plugs from above

caution- use rtv to reseal cowl right side as ecm is directly below and ford has had rain short out ecm since freestar came on market

**360ci** · 07-17-2010, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcpursell

i found haynes manual thru 2007 freestar, said remove
wiper cowl.

now have changed plugs on 3.9l freestar-@6hrs
remove upper and lower cowl;air box right side at fire wall.

got front 3 plugs from underneath

rear 3 plugs from above

caution- use rtv to reseal cowl right side as ecm is directly below and ford has had rain short out ecm since freestar came on market

That's good to know about the RTV sealant on the cowl, for sure!

Too bad it took SIX HOURS. That's crazy. At least you saved some bucks, and I'm sure when the time comes again you'll be able to cut that time in half to do the job!

bigfun64mo · 09-28-2010, 16:14

I gave my 2003 windstar a tune up this past spring. Yes, It was a PITA. It only took 2 hours only because that was with the help of my father and brother who are both mechanics. Had we not done the BSing we did probably would have taken less. I do love how the fuel filter was designed. Very easy swap. I love plug and play.