Replacing plug wires on a 4.2V6 Pain in the *&^%$
09-18-2011, 02:11 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Replacing plug wires on a 4.2V6
I have a new set of wires for my 99 F-150 4.2V6. How do you detach the holders from the wires without breaking them? Ford certainly was not thinking ease when they routed the wires? They run from my coil pack back behind the engine, then down and to the front. Why did'nt they just run them over the sides of the motor to the plugs? Easier, shorter wires etc. The way Ford did it does not make sense. On the passenger side that emissions pipes runs right in front of the wires where they connect to the plugs. Looks like I also have to somehow remove wire covers (which hopefully are split?) and transfer them to the new ones. I'm not sure but the plastic wire holders look like they snap on? I don't want to break them. Don't mean to sound whiney, but I'm 55 and bending over that engine is hard on the back. Especially since I'd have to stand on a stool or ladder to reach everything. I love my truck, but Ford could have made some things easier? Thanks
Last edited by rm56; 09-22-2011 at 04:15 PM.
09-18-2011, 04:11 PM
#3
2015 F-150 3.5 ecoboost
Found that all out when was replacing my wires and plugs. Long story short I paid and had them done. Lol and some places wanted 150-160 bucks to replace them. I think that is ridculous. I found a shop near me to do it for 45 bucks and I am sure I saved myself alot of hassle. They put everything back how it was. Looks factory. Lol. Just something to think about.
09-19-2011, 10:19 AM
#5
Senior Member
A mechanic once showed me the instructions for removing a water pump on a F150. Remove the serpentine belt, remove all of the accessories, then the fan, then you can pull the water lines before pulling pump off. On a GM or Dodge, you just loosen the tension and unbolt the water lines and pump. Ford does it in hope that people will bring the vehicles to them for repairs. The downside is it becomes time consuming for a normal person who is trying to save money to do the job themselves.
09-19-2011, 11:06 AM
#7
2015 F-150 3.5 ecoboost
Originally Posted by pickupsrule
And why doesn't the entire front of the F 150 lift up and away from the windshield like they do in big rigs and busses? That would not have cost them much more to make, and would have made it a lot easier to service the truck. I agree, I think they make it almost impossible on purpose. They can charge 3 hours at the dealership for something that should have been designed to take 10 minutes. And yet another reason why that neat clean powerful Cummins 4 conversion is attractive to me, since what little service is required, is super easy.
LISTEN FORD - When I go to buy a new Ford truck or car, if everything is impossible to get to, I am walking out the dealer's door and finding something else. I have had enough of Ford's zero access policy.
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09-19-2011, 11:09 AM
#8
Senior Member
The only downside to the front flipping clip, if you have a aftermarket bumper then you have to come up with a way to redo all of that. Probably have to go to a somewhat fiberglass clip as well.
