[Solidwire]

2005 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 3.0 Duratec
Almost a week, so far, to replace spark plugs on my Escape.

Can someone with a 3.0 Duratec please tell me how many turns you get when threading in the spark plugs?

Nearly finished replacing plugs & realized they only threaded in approximately 5 turns = 1/2 available threads on the spark plug.
That didn't seem like they would be in all of the way so I counted the turns with the plug in hand & it would be about 10 turns to completely thread in.
I then looked at the old Motorcraft plugs & can tell by the debris packed into the top 1/2 of the threads that these were installed only 1/2 way.

After searching "on-the line" I sprayed a little PB Blaster into each heads plug holes on 2 days & let it sit for a day after each spray. Then, ran a Spark Plug Thread Chaser tool (packed with heavy grease to catch debris) to clean carbon out of each heads plug threads. The chaser easily threaded in 10 full turns. No ratchet necessary - turned the extension in my fingers.
Then tried the new spark plug again. No Joy... Only threads in the same 5 turns... Approximately 1/2 the plug threads.
It's difficult to tell if the plug is seated all of the way in or not.
Maybe this is how it's supposed to be - hence my question to confirm.
AND
All 6 plugs seem to thread in the same...
AND if they are not fully seated they appear to be close.

And YES I'm definitely using the correct Motorcraft plugs. (Checked this 4 or 5 times)

This is either the way it's supposed to be - plugs thread in 5 turns - 1/2 the available threads...
OR
Maybe the previous owner had to use a thread repair kit. Which may become more apparent in a week when my newly ordered Borescope Tool comes in.

I know my request to count a plug turns is a PITA so I would like to thank the brave & bold who graciously count their plug turns in advance...

I really would like to know if "all's good" or if I have other tentative issues to address.

Thanks Again
Don
SoLidWire

 

[LX302]

I don't remember the turns when I did my plug change. Do the old plugs you removed thread down with more turns? Are you using the same or correct replacement plugs?

 

[dwightbresemann]

If your concern is if the plugs are reaching the bottom of the well, place a witness mark on the matting surface of the spark plug. A dab of lipstick, white-out, heavy black marker. Remove spark plug and check witness mark and the matting surface of the spark plug hole for transfer of witness mark.

 

[ancientmariner]

Did this ever get resolved ?
I'm light years far from a professional mechanic, but I've installed many, many plugs, and you can feel when the tapered shoulder, or washer, makes contact, even if you can't see it.
Do the plugs not thread down to the shoulder? I just have a hard time imagining them not doing that.
If they don't, then something must be seriously wrong - Like maybe wrong plugs or a bad batch of plugs ?
I have a vivid recollection from many years ago, of an 8 pack of Champion plugs - One of the 8 plugs had NO threads !

 

[Mountain Escape]

Did this ever get resolved ?
I'm light years far from a professional mechanic, but I've installed many, many plugs, and you can feel when the tapered shoulder, or washer, makes contact, even if you can't see it.
Do the plugs not thread down to the shoulder? I just have a hard time imagining them not doing that.
If they don't, then something must be seriously wrong - Like maybe wrong plugs or a bad batch of plugs ?
I have a vivid recollection from many years ago, of an 8 pack of Champion plugs - One of the 8 plugs had NO threads !

You have now entered the twilight zone

I was under the impression the spark plug sealed the cylinder with the crush washer… If they're not threading all the way in, I can't believe you are getting any compression.

if you go to a good auto parts store, you should be able to find some thing with half the threads depth, same length insulator and electrode… or close… And you can gap it to what you need it.

putting something in with a longer electrode may cause interference with a piston top or valve

make sure the heat range is the same too
That information is listed on individual spark plug sites… NGK does a really good job of differentiating everything that could apply

 

[Captain Chris]

2005 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 3.0 Duratec
Almost a week, so far, to replace spark plugs on my Escape.

Can someone with a 3.0 Duratec please tell me how many turns you get when threading in the spark plugs?

Nearly finished replacing plugs & realized they only threaded in approximately 5 turns = 1/2 available threads on the spark plug.
---
Then tried the new spark plug again. No Joy... Only threads in the same 5 turns... Approximately 1/2 the plug threads.
It's difficult to tell if the plug is seated all of the way in or not.
Maybe this is how it's supposed to be - hence my question to confirm.
AND
All 6 plugs seem to thread in the same...
AND if they are not fully seated they appear to be close.

And YES I'm definitely using the correct Motorcraft plugs. (Checked this 4 or 5 times)
---
Which may become more apparent in a week when my newly ordered Borescope Tool comes in.

I know my request to count a plug turns is a PITA so I would like to thank the brave & bold who graciously count their plug turns in advance.
Thanks Again
Don
SoLidWire

Don,
Don't feel bad!
I appreciate your inquiry!
I will be doing this same work shortly (checking here for recommendations on plugs), so, anything that helps me avoid an unplanned diversion, is well worth it!

Sorry that LX302 didn't actually read your post, and, apparently, Dwight has never worked on this engine...

Was your engine running ok, before this?...good MpG?

Mountain Escape is pretty knowledgeable, and I can understand his thinking...

As an engineer, I can envision geometry that would be consistent with both your description, and Mountain Escape's reference to the crush-washer sealing...
BUT, it really doesn't seem too sensible, both from an engineering perspective or a manufacturing perspective, it could work that way, but it does seem both unusual, and problematic...

Did you get the borescope, yet?

TY!

 

[bangster]

Just because the spark plug has 10 threads, doesn't mean the head has 10. They often only have 4-6. As long as the plugs have threads from the tip to the tapered seat (A gasket, really???) then it doesn't matter (Motorcraft used to only put threads in the bottom since most of their heads only had threads there, but they should be fully threaded now).

 

[Mountain Escape]

Just because the spark plug has 10 threads, doesn't mean the head has 10. They often only have 4-6. As long as the plugs have threads from the tip to the tapered seat (A gasket, really???) then it doesn't matter (Motorcraft used to only put threads in the bottom since most of their heads only had threads there, but they should be fully threaded now).

Who said gasket? I am talking crush washer.

I had to look at the six different plugs that I have for my machines, and I did find one that had a beveled seal, as opposed to a crush washer.

now, that bevel was at the topwhere a crush washer would be, not at the bottom of the threads where the electrode is.

you're all are trying to make me feel old and stupid, but I will follow up with any research necessary.

if you are screwing in spark plugs, and you have threads exposed when the plug stop screwing in, you got the wrong plug.

The sealing surface on a spark plug is at the top of the threads, not at the bottom where the electrode is.