[NinjaTweak01XLT]

I was going to change the spark plugs on my '01 Escape...i got the first 3 done, on the front. And then I saw the back 3 are under the intake manifold. Now changing these means removing the intake manifold. I'm not too sure about this...has anyone else done it? I'm just not overly confident...and as this is my only vehicle and i am not going to pay the dealer $130 to $190 to change 3 spark plugs.

 

[RobtRoma]

Check out the following topic:

2001-2004 V6 spark plugs+PCV without intake manifold removal

 

[yarritspete]

its really not all that bad, it only looks like a pain. But i like to do work myself instead of paying triple the cost of the part for labor. While your in there you might as well change your PCV valve and put in new upper gaskets. Those together will cost less that 15 bucks well minus plugs

 

[dbfruth]

I looked at the post about changing the plugs without removing the manifold, but to me that looks like more work, I had the manifold off in about 15 minutes and that is because I had never done it before on the escape. Next time I could probably do it in 10. Seriously it is not that hard to remove the manifold, (I am recalling the steps from memory)

• Remove the Vacuum hose from the intake tube
  Disconnect the MAF sensor electrical connector
  Remove the Intake tube from the throttle body and remove the air filter box lid
  Disconnect the Cruise control and throttle cables (The bracket may need to be unbolted)
  Disconnect the EGR Vacuum Solenoid Electrical Connector and Vacuum Hoses
  Disconnect the TPS Sensor Electrical Connector
  Disconnect the Idle air Control Electrical Connector
  Disconnect the vacuum line from the purge solenoid
  Unbolt the EGR Valve (2 bolts) you may need a new EGR gasket (I reused mine)
  unclip the two electrical connectors from their mounting bracket on the left side of the manifold
  Remove the 3 hoses on the back of the manifold
  loosen the 8 bolts holding the upper Manifold and remove

The back 3 plugs will be starring you in the face, I replaced the 6 gaskets on the manifold when I reassembled, you may not have to depending on how they look. Forgive me if I forgot a step - total time to remove should be 20 minutes or less. I know there are lots of steps but a lot of them take 5 - 10 seconds each