Eco spark plug gap
10-15-2013, 01:39 PM
#832
Ordered/installed six SP-534 plugs to swap into my 2011 EcoBoost FX4... More of what you've already heard
- Plugs were $27.63 shipped from RockAuto.
- I received a four-pack box and two single plug boxes. The four-pack were all gapped to ~.032, the two singles were gapped to ~.030.
- The original SP-528 plugs were all worn but serviceable after 35,000 miles, but gaps were all .040 or more.
- Improvement in idle smoothness, never had stumble issues before or after.
- EcoBoost plugs are definitely easy to work on, though a moving blanket over the radiator/battery/airbox to lean over and a stepladder make it much more comfortable, especially if the truck is lifted or has oversized tires or light bar.
- Torque spec for plugs is 15Nm (133 lb-in, 11 lb-ft) according to Ford Service manual. That is a very light torque. Below or the very bottom of what most 'normal' 3/8" torque wrenches are accurate too. You are far better off just tightening by feel ("not too tight") with a standard ratchet than trying to use some 20" long torque wrench of unknown accuracy on something this light of a torque. Or use a torque wrench properly designed for this sort of torque range....
10-15-2013, 03:31 PM
#834
With the iridium plugs gapped at .030, the miss will be eliminated. Your truck will also idle better and the tune will feel far more smooth under a heavy foot.
10-16-2013, 10:52 AM
#835
Senior Member
Got the new plugs in last night, 534's gapped at .028-.030. Truck seems to run a bit better.
Scared me a little though...everyone talks about how light 133 in lbs is. When I was pulling plugs I think one of them was loose from the first time I changed them. I was in the middle of phone calls while doing it and couldn't remember if I cracked it loose first or not though....so it may not have been. I made sure to snugly tighten...no where close has a torque wrench so just did it by feel again. I'm impatient and didn't want to order one online and wait.
Plus bow hunting is going to heat up this week and there will be no time to do it as I'll be in the stand every evening. See how everything runs for a while.
Scared me a little though...everyone talks about how light 133 in lbs is. When I was pulling plugs I think one of them was loose from the first time I changed them. I was in the middle of phone calls while doing it and couldn't remember if I cracked it loose first or not though....so it may not have been. I made sure to snugly tighten...no where close has a torque wrench so just did it by feel again. I'm impatient and didn't want to order one online and wait.
Plus bow hunting is going to heat up this week and there will be no time to do it as I'll be in the stand every evening. See how everything runs for a while.
10-18-2013, 01:31 PM
#836
Senior Member
534 plug's
Ordered my 534 plug's and map sensor from rockauto fast shipping but crushed mangled box. No packing or cushion look's like someone smashed it against a wall and stomped it, box is in very bad shape! Called them an they said i'd have to install an see if they were ok.
I'm on the fence if i even want to install them?
Just wandering if anyone else had problem's with plug's shipped in?
I'm on the fence if i even want to install them?
Just wandering if anyone else had problem's with plug's shipped in?
10-18-2013, 03:33 PM
#837
Member
Ever since I re-gapped my plugs to .030 like MPT told me to, my truck shakes a little while driving at about 65-75 MPH. I just noticed it on a long trip to Miami from Tampa. It feels like one of my tires is not balanced but then it does not do it every time so I am almost certain its not my tires. Is that the shudder that everyone talks about? My truck never did it before. It also idles a bit more rough. All my other plugs were set to .035-.036.... Now I am thinking that I need to buy the plugs that come on the 2013's gapped at .032 since they come pre-gapped. Could slight gapping differences be causing that shudder? Besides that I got decent gas mileage on the way back up 18.6 going 78 MPH the whole way down and including 2 stops in which I left the truck on while we ate (second stop was a bathroom break and we also left the truck on idling). I drove down once before and only got 16 Mph at that same speed.... I think the difference was the first time I drove down stock and the second time I drove while using the 87 Octane canned tune from SCT (I think that I actually like the canned 87 tune the best so far, the MPT performance costume one is fast but you cant tow anything with it which means I cant really use my truck as a truck.....for that I would have bought a Mustang 5.0)
10-19-2013, 01:47 AM
#838
Senior Member
Nope. Mine just arrived today and they were shipped in a Fed Ex bubble wrap lined envelope and they all look fine.
The new plugs have a plastic protective cap. I'd probably install and if it didn't run better/smoother then ask for replacements.
The new plugs have a plastic protective cap. I'd probably install and if it didn't run better/smoother then ask for replacements.
10-19-2013, 09:58 AM
#839
Car Lover
I had the same issue, much choppier after I regapped them and my mileage has suffered. I ordered a new set of the 534's last week to see if that solves the problem. I never noticed the instant smoother running most do but mine ran pretty smooth before. My plugs were originally gaped all in the .4x.
Ever since I re-gapped my plugs to .030 like MPT told me to, my truck shakes a little while driving at about 65-75 MPH. I just noticed it on a long trip to Miami from Tampa. It feels like one of my tires is not balanced but then it does not do it every time so I am almost certain its not my tires. Is that the shudder that everyone talks about? My truck never did it before. It also idles a bit more rough. All my other plugs were set to .035-.036.... Now I am thinking that I need to buy the plugs that come on the 2013's gapped at .032 since they come pre-gapped. Could slight gapping differences be causing that shudder? Besides that I got decent gas mileage on the way back up 18.6 going 78 MPH the whole way down and including 2 stops in which I left the truck on while we ate (second stop was a bathroom break and we also left the truck on idling). I drove down once before and only got 16 Mph at that same speed.... I think the difference was the first time I drove down stock and the second time I drove while using the 87 Octane canned tune from SCT (I think that I actually like the canned 87 tune the best so far, the MPT performance costume one is fast but you cant tow anything with it which means I cant really use my truck as a truck.....for that I would have bought a Mustang 5.0)
10-19-2013, 11:25 AM
#840
Senior Member
So rock auto is the best place to order the 534's? Any other recommendations?