Spark Plug Odyssey - Ford Forums

**Sterling_Six** · 09-12-2009, 14:39

Hello Guy's:

I have a bit of a Stickler. I went and changed my Spark Plugs on my 1999 Ford Escort 2.0L Sohc, spi (split port injection). I have done this a Dozen times before without a hitch.

Yes I re-gapped them at .054 per spec's. Put some Electrical grease on the tips, and the wire contacts. Made sure they where torqued to spec's.

This time something went awry. After installing them, I fired the Puppy up, and so ZOOM ZOOM it Idle correct, and sounded really good.

But!!! ... when I went to go to the store ... the Car started to hesitate, and lose power!! What the Heck!! It even Backed Fired once or twice.

OOOOKKKKK.... I pulled it back into the Garage, Pulled the Plug Wires off again ... Pulled the Plugs ... Check the Wires (looked fine except #4 looked a little Bent inside the housing) Plugs still Gapped Right, etc.

Again it idled fine...no sparking from the wires to metal ground, Nothing I could see ... but it did the same thing when I accelerated.

Do you guys I may have broken a Wire when pulling them off?? they did come off Hard.

Thank you in advance for the advise.

thefonz · 09-12-2009, 16:17

Even though the plugs are new, some could still be bad. I would suspect a plug wire or two though. I had trouble with my Escort with the same engine and it turned out to be a bad plug wire. I never would have believed it. It had really good spark too. Just sometimes under a load it had a miss, but definitely was not consistant.

FordMan59 · 09-12-2009, 18:36

Did you remove the plug wires 1 at a time? The reason for my asking is because you could have got a couple wires crossed. I've done that a couple times and at idle you could barley tell it, but under load it was terrible. What brand plugs are you using? I've never used them in a 3rd generation Escort, but I've been told by several people that those engines don't like Bosch platinums. If you check and the wires are not crossed between cylinders I would suspect you either had a bad plug wire or damaged one when removing it. You might also want to pull the plugs out and make sure you didn't crack an insulator on one of the plugs when you were installing them too.

**Sterling_Six** · 09-12-2009, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordMan59

Did you remove the plug wires 1 at a time? The reason for my asking is because you could have got a couple wires crossed. I've done that a couple times and at idle you could barley tell it, but under load it was terrible. What brand plugs are you using? I've never used them in a 3rd generation Escort, but I've been told by several people that those engines don't like Bosch platinums. If you check and the wires are not crossed between cylinders I would suspect you either had a bad plug wire or damaged one when removing it. You might also want to pull the plugs out and make sure you didn't crack an insulator on one of the plugs when you were installing them too.

WOW... I did put Bosch Cooper Core BOSCH Part # 7581 {SUPER #HR9HCO}
GAP=0.054"; Original equipment is platinum. From Rock Auto.

I always Pull each Plug one at a time. Then I Put a piece of Blue Painters Tape on each Wire, and mark it with a Red Marker ... 1,2,3,4. For each plug coming of each Cylinder. Then I lay the wires aside in order.

The only thing I remember is that the Plug Wire on #4 came off very hard, and when I went to put it back on I noticed it would not go on straight. I looked inside the Boot, and noticed it bent out of place. I then pushed it back into place, and pushed it back onto the Tip of the Plug.

I think I will (tomorrow) I will Re check the plugs and their condition, and the wires.

Thank you guys (Fonz, & Fordman 59) so much for the insight, and will look for what you guys have suggested.