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[John B]

Actually, I own a 1998 Ford Chateau, which must be the same as an E-150, for
tune-up purposes. It has a 5.4L V8 engine. This is a "half-ton" rated
vehicle. It has operated wonderfully.

The engine sputters a bit now, noticeably when starting up from a standing
stop. It isn't a "flat spot," but almost. The sputter has no rhythm to it.
Engine temperature seems to have no relevance. I visited New Mexico one
month ago with this vehicle, and the "service engine soon" light still shows
on the dashboard. Years ago, when visiting Flagstaff, AZ, the same thing
happened. I stayed an extra night in Flagstaff, just so I could visit the
Ford Agency the next day, and was told the light was a red herring, caused
by high altitude, and of no consequence. Several weeks later, back at sea
level, the light finally went out. The car never sputtered in those days.

So I'm still waiting for the light to go out, since my recent drive at
7000-foot altitude in New Mexico.

Anyway, the car sputtered as soon as I returned to sea level, and it does so
occasionally ever since. (It might have sputtered on the drive back from
NM, but I wasn't paying attention.) I changed the air filter, to no avail.
I thought I'd change the spark plugs, which have never been changed. The
car has about 75K miles on it. The service guide that came with the vehicle
calls for a plug change at 100K miles.

I bought a CD that containing a maintenance manual for this vehicle. I
found the specs for the plugs. The cylinder heads must be aluminum, because
the torque specification is only 9-20 Nm; i.e., 7-14 lb ft. Can anyone
corroborate this...is it aluminum?

I have never worked on a van's engine before. I've worked on many other
types of vehicles, and I own tools. I have seen the van go up on a rack
several times for tires, lube, etc. There is a doghouse inside the cab,
which I've never removed. Can anyone advise how I'm supposed to access the
spark plugs? This ain't no flat-top 4!!

I should change the PCV valve. The service guide said to do that at 60K
miles, and I didn't do that. I wonder where that thing is?

Geez. How does anyone work on this thing?

I'm sure someone who reads this petition has changed the spark plugs and PCV
valve in a Club Wagon! Your help is most appreciated.

John B

[Bob]

I had one with the inline six years back that had the original
Motorcraft plugs at 140+ thousand miles. I had to crank those suckers
out. It took hours, back & forth with Blaster and then chasing the
threads ot with a die. The gaps were way to big and had lots of grunge
on then. You have to pull the cover. Do plug wires too. I'm doing my 89
E-150 coversion with 5.0 this weekend. It has 76,000 ,one- owner
original miles and appears to never have been touched. I'm replacing all
vacume hoses too I think.
Bob

GOD BLESS THE USA
Member of IPCO- International Pest Control Operators
Public message board- http://www.ipconetwork.org/fmb/cboard.mv

[Backyard Mechanic]

Bob opined in news:12863-419C96F9-165@storefull-3155.bay.webtv.net:

[John B]

Thanks for the reply.
Can you tell me if I can get the spark plugs out by removing the doghouse?
Or do I have to jack the car up and get underneath it?
Thanks,
John

"CJB" <PastorBrown@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:ya4nd.14332$d96.2758@trnddc01...
> His 89 and your 98 are two totally different models.

[CJB]

His 89 and your 98 are two totally different models. Ford changed the
bodystyle of their full size van in 1992. the previous model ran from the
early 70's to 1991.

As to the question of having to remove the seats, I've had or worked on 5
vans and haven't had to remove the seats on any of them.

CJB


"John B" <jb@noapam.com> wrote in message
news:10ppfbdi0lqhu46@corp.supernews.com...

[John B]

Hey, thanks for the astute reply.
Yes, it would make sense to replace vacuum lines, and perhaps fuel hoses,
too. Why wait for a disaster?
I guess I should remove the two captain's seats, in front, to allow for
"unhindered" access to the engine. I wonder if those seats come out?

Would you mind if I waited until next week, after you've done yours? If I
do mine, however, I'll post here as to the difficulties I may have faced.

Thanks again,
John

"Bob" <blorigan@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:12863-419C96F9-165@storefull-3155.bay.webtv.net...

[John B]

I won't be chaging plug wires.
Any idea if my cylinder heads are aluminum? Why else would the tightening
spec be so low (about 10 lb ft)?

Do you know if I have go get under the van to get the plugs out?
Thanks

[Bob]

I only buy Good quality plug wires, not the bargain basement ones. I've
never had a problem with good quality wires. I can see mine arcing at
night from the front but it runs fine. They are original 15 year old
wires. Out they go along with the cap and rotor. This van was garage
kept and babied until I got it. It even looks new under it. My old E-150
conversion had to have one captain seat removed to pull the cover. No
biggie there, four nuts and off they come. I beleive your newer van
will be much the same for access. I looked at several newer ones but
this one was much better condition. It does look to be 3-4 years old. I
use it for my pest control business. The owner before me put cheap ass
Pep boys regular car tires on it and they are wearing fast. I replaced
two with 6 ply truck tires a few weeks ago and the other two next week.
Other than the rear springs being to soft I love it. An extra leaf fixed
that. Its a very good dependable ride and is sharp to boot.

GOD BLESS THE USA
Member of IPCO- International Pest Control Operators
Public message board- http://www.ipconetwork.org/fmb/cboard.mv

[Backyard Mechanic]

Bob opined in news:9829-419D0FC6-70@storefull-3154.bay.webtv.net:

[CJB]

Unfortunately, I haven't worked on any of the OHC engines (4.6, 5.4) My
experience with those vans is limited to 351W, 351M, I300.

Having said that, changing sparkplugs in those is a horrible job. You have
to use every advantage. I've even had to take the front tires off to access
plugs through the wheelwell. If your 4.6 is that bad or not, I don't know.

CJB

"John B" <jb@noapam.com> wrote in message
news:10ppjvk608pibe0@corp.supernews.com...

[John B]

Thanks for the ominous warning...Mine is a 5.4L, if that makes any
difference.