2.3L EcoBoost SP-594 Spark Plug Change Write-Up (60k Miles)

[Arccra12]

Yeah, I could probably do that, but yeah, I remember them being dark everywhere, but the tips were almost silver looking.

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[JaysOnTheEDGE]

Can number 4 be replaced without removing the fuel line on the high pressure pump?

 

[airline tech]

Can number 4 be replaced without removing the fuel line on the high pressure pump?

Yes but you must be very attentive to the feel (vibration) click of the coil boot attachment to the plug, as the fuel line requires you to start the insertion into the well at an angle, this makes it very easy for you to simply slide down the side of the plug and put it all together and then have a heavy misfire.
So when doing the other 3 plugs note the feeling (vibe and slight audible) click it makes when it locks in place for a reference in feel ~ sound for the #4 plug.

 

[JaysOnTheEDGE]

Thanks for the tip I'm about at 60K miles / 6 years age so hopefully they come out easy.

 

[seasprite]

Can you post a better pic of the Tips?
They appear carbon fouled (Dark) - Rich Fuel Mixture

Yeah, I'm curious what he's fuel trim #'s are after seeing those.

 

[jdamtb918]

I appreciate your write up because it helped me foresee the possible issues from #4 when putting coil back on. I went with the Ruthenium’s NGK for the replacement. The old ones seemed like they had been thru some shit and had a hard life. However, this was the first time changing the plugs on my own vehicle so what the hell do I know lol. The truck is at 54k. I bought it at 50.8k. I did not change the .032” preset gap that the new plugs came with. Do you guys think that will be ok? I’m about to do a trans fluid swap and oil change next weekend so not opposed to fixing the gaps when I’m doing the fluids.. Here’s the plugs, lemme know what you guys think. Could they have gone another 50k?

 

[thewhiteranger]

Greetings all,

Thought I would do another one of my write-ups on a fairly simple, yet important maintenance task on your Ranger. (This guide is geared towards those of us who have never performed this procedure)
The Ford Scheduled Maintenance is "Every 100,000 mi (160,000 km) Replace Spark Plugs."
The spark plug specifications are gap (0.027 - 0.031 in (0.70 - 0.80 mm)) and torque 12 Nm (106 in.lb (8 ft.lb))

Supplies Needed :
-4x Motorcraft SP-594 (CYFS-12Y-RT3) Spark Plugs (Our manual states SP-578 but SP-594 superseded it) ($57 total from my local dealer)
-3/8" Ratchet or 1/2" Ratchet with 1/2"-3/8" adapter (You can use a cordless like my Milwaukee 2457-20 to remove bolts after loosening them with your ratchet)
-8mm and 10mm semi-deep or deep sockets
-5/8 Spark Plug socket
-6" or 8" extension (I used a 6 inch with no issue but an 8 inch fit just fine as well. If you have a wobble extension it can help on cylinder 4)
-1/4" in.lb Torque Wrench set to 106 in.lbs (12 Nm) or 1/2" ft.lb Torque Wrench set to 8 ft.lbs (11Nm)
-Plastic/Trim Clip removal tool (I used a Craftsman CMMT98373) or small slotted head screwdriver
-Dielectric Grease (Permatex 22058)
-Straight Pick (I used my Matco PMO1C)
-Old microfiber towels

Optional :
-Step Ladder or Work Platform
-Compressed Air or Forced Air Unit (I used an Adam's Air Cannon)
-Nitrile gloves (can't forget about PPE)

Step One :
Remove the EcoBoost Engine Cover if equipped (my '19 Lariat came equipped) by removing the 2x 10mm lock nuts and pulling up

*OPTIONAL: Upon removal deep clean the cover and underneath around the spark plugs using a damp microfiber rag or brush

STEP TWO :
As I mentioned in Step One, clean as much as you want on the top of the engine using low pressure compressed air to blow out large particles and using damp microfiber towels. I opted to clean as much as I could to prevent anything from falling in to the cylinder holes.

STEP THREE :
Drive up the road or get your family some breakfast like I did to warm up the engine prior to disassembly. I am a Quality Engineer so I follow procedures.
The procedure states "Do not remove the spark plugs when the engine is hot or cold soaked. Make sure the engine is warm (hand touch after cooling down) prior to spark plug removal.

STEP FOUR :
Use your plastic clip removal tool or slotted screwdriver to remove the 3x plastic wire guides/retainers. It is super easy and you do not have to apply much force at all. You can pull the harness away from Cylinder 1 (closest to you) to fully expose that ignition coil now.

STEP FIVE :
Unplug the 4x Ignition Coil connectors. The design is pretty neat, the white sliding locking tab can be unlocked by using your fingernail and sliding it away from you. Once the locking tab is unlocked, simply wiggle the connector off.

STEP SIX :
Use your Ratchet & 8mm socket to remove the 4x Ignition Coil Studs and use a twisting motion to remove the Ignition Coils (mine did not take much force at all). The trickiest one is the back one on cylinder 4, but simply rotate the Ignition Coil clockwise where it is not obstructed by the high pressure fuel pump and pull up.

STEP SEVEN :
Remove 4x Spark Plugs using a 6" or 8" extension with a 5/8 Spark Plug Socket. Mine were fairly easy to break loose and did squeak a little bit while loosening.

My plugs were in decent shape, but I am probably going to make my change interval 5 Years/60,000 miles. The staining on the porcelain is not rust, it is corona staining and is a completely normal byproduct per NGK.

STEP EIGHT :
Check gap and Reinstall your 4x new Motorcraft SP-594 Spark Plugs. All 4 of mine were at a 0.029 inch (0.74 mm) gap out of the box so I did not adjust it. I measured the factory plugs I removed and they were between 0.028 and 0.029 inches.
Simply hand thread each plug until it's snug to prevent from cross threading. I was actually able to get it fairly close to the proper torque value by simply hand threading. If you have a knurled extension it makes it easier.
A trick for cylinder 4 is to place your ratchet at around the 8 o clock position to both loosen/tighten the plug so the high pressure fuel pump is not in the way.

*OPTIONAL : Torque Spark Plug to 12 Nm (106 in.lb or 8 ft.lb) depending on which torque wrench you use. I used my 1/4" In.lb torque wrench using a 1/4" - 3/8" adaptor to get mine to 106 in.lb. It did not take much force at all to reach that torque value.

STEP NINE :
Reinstall the 4x Ignition Coils and snug the 4x Ignition Coil Studs using a 8mm Socket. Reverse how you removed the cylinder 4 Ignition Coil by installing it at the 6 o' Clock position and twisting it counter clockwise.

*OPTIONAL : Apply a pea sized drop of Dielectric Grease on the inside of the Ignition Coil Boot and spread it around evenly using a pick (I used a Matco Straight Pick) and wipe the rim clean.
I say optional because some people use grease, some do not. Same thing with anti-seize.

STEP TEN :
Reposition the wiring harness and reattach the 3x plastic wire guides/retainers. Simply push down on them and they instantly bite on the Ignition Coil Studs.
Reattach the 4x Ignition Coil Connectors. Push on until you hear a 'click' and then use your finger to push the sliding lock tab forward.

STEP ELEVEN :
Once everything is reattached and properly tightened, crank your Ranger to see if a check engine light or any error message appears. You can always take a drive around the neighborhood as well prior to engine cover reattachment.
My Ranger roared to life and it seemed like it appreciated new plugs and the new engine air element I installed last weekend.

Reattach the EcoBoost Engine Cover if equipped by pushing down and reinstalling the 2x 10mm lock nuts. These just need to be hand tight.

That's it! Grab a cold one and enjoy a job well done!
The local dealer quoted me $130 just for installation (

Greetings all,

Thought I would do another one of my write-ups on a fairly simple, yet important maintenance task on your Ranger. (This guide is geared towards those of us who have never performed this procedure)
The Ford Scheduled Maintenance is "Every 100,000 mi (160,000 km) Replace Spark Plugs."
The spark plug specifications are gap (0.027 - 0.031 in (0.70 - 0.80 mm)) and torque 12 Nm (106 in.lb (8 ft.lb))

Supplies Needed :
-4x Motorcraft SP-594 (CYFS-12Y-RT3) Spark Plugs (Our manual states SP-578 but SP-594 superseded it) ($57 total from my local dealer)
-3/8" Ratchet or 1/2" Ratchet with 1/2"-3/8" adapter (You can use a cordless like my Milwaukee 2457-20 to remove bolts after loosening them with your ratchet)
-8mm and 10mm semi-deep or deep sockets
-5/8 Spark Plug socket
-6" or 8" extension (I used a 6 inch with no issue but an 8 inch fit just fine as well. If you have a wobble extension it can help on cylinder 4)
-1/4" in.lb Torque Wrench set to 106 in.lbs (12 Nm) or 1/2" ft.lb Torque Wrench set to 8 ft.lbs (11Nm)
-Plastic/Trim Clip removal tool (I used a Craftsman CMMT98373) or small slotted head screwdriver
-Dielectric Grease (Permatex 22058)
-Straight Pick (I used my Matco PMO1C)
-Old microfiber towels

Optional :
-Step Ladder or Work Platform
-Compressed Air or Forced Air Unit (I used an Adam's Air Cannon)
-Nitrile gloves (can't forget about PPE)

Step One :
Remove the EcoBoost Engine Cover if equipped (my '19 Lariat came equipped) by removing the 2x 10mm lock nuts and pulling up

*OPTIONAL: Upon removal deep clean the cover and underneath around the spark plugs using a damp microfiber rag or brush

STEP TWO :
As I mentioned in Step One, clean as much as you want on the top of the engine using low pressure compressed air to blow out large particles and using damp microfiber towels. I opted to clean as much as I could to prevent anything from falling in to the cylinder holes.

STEP THREE :
Drive up the road or get your family some breakfast like I did to warm up the engine prior to disassembly. I am a Quality Engineer so I follow procedures.
The procedure states "Do not remove the spark plugs when the engine is hot or cold soaked. Make sure the engine is warm (hand touch after cooling down) prior to spark plug removal.

STEP FOUR :
Use your plastic clip removal tool or slotted screwdriver to remove the 3x plastic wire guides/retainers. It is super easy and you do not have to apply much force at all. You can pull the harness away from Cylinder 1 (closest to you) to fully expose that ignition coil now.

STEP FIVE :
Unplug the 4x Ignition Coil connectors. The design is pretty neat, the white sliding locking tab can be unlocked by using your fingernail and sliding it away from you. Once the locking tab is unlocked, simply wiggle the connector off.

STEP SIX :
Use your Ratchet & 8mm socket to remove the 4x Ignition Coil Studs and use a twisting motion to remove the Ignition Coils (mine did not take much force at all). The trickiest one is the back one on cylinder 4, but simply rotate the Ignition Coil clockwise where it is not obstructed by the high pressure fuel pump and pull up.

STEP SEVEN :
Remove 4x Spark Plugs using a 6" or 8" extension with a 5/8 Spark Plug Socket. Mine were fairly easy to break loose and did squeak a little bit while loosening.

My plugs were in decent shape, but I am probably going to make my change interval 5 Years/60,000 miles. The staining on the porcelain is not rust, it is corona staining and is a completely normal byproduct per NGK.

STEP EIGHT :
Check gap and Reinstall your 4x new Motorcraft SP-594 Spark Plugs. All 4 of mine were at a 0.029 inch (0.74 mm) gap out of the box so I did not adjust it. I measured the factory plugs I removed and they were between 0.028 and 0.029 inches.
Simply hand thread each plug until it's snug to prevent from cross threading. I was actually able to get it fairly close to the proper torque value by simply hand threading. If you have a knurled extension it makes it easier.
A trick for cylinder 4 is to place your ratchet at around the 8 o clock position to both loosen/tighten the plug so the high pressure fuel pump is not in the way.

*OPTIONAL : Torque Spark Plug to 12 Nm (106 in.lb or 8 ft.lb) depending on which torque wrench you use. I used my 1/4" In.lb torque wrench using a 1/4" - 3/8" adaptor to get mine to 106 in.lb. It did not take much force at all to reach that torque value.

STEP NINE :
Reinstall the 4x Ignition Coils and snug the 4x Ignition Coil Studs using a 8mm Socket. Reverse how you removed the cylinder 4 Ignition Coil by installing it at the 6 o' Clock position and twisting it counter clockwise.

*OPTIONAL : Apply a pea sized drop of Dielectric Grease on the inside of the Ignition Coil Boot and spread it around evenly using a pick (I used a Matco Straight Pick) and wipe the rim clean.
I say optional because some people use grease, some do not. Same thing with anti-seize.

STEP TEN :
Reposition the wiring harness and reattach the 3x plastic wire guides/retainers. Simply push down on them and they instantly bite on the Ignition Coil Studs.
Reattach the 4x Ignition Coil Connectors. Push on until you hear a 'click' and then use your finger to push the sliding lock tab forward.

STEP ELEVEN :
Once everything is reattached and properly tightened, crank your Ranger to see if a check engine light or any error message appears. You can always take a drive around the neighborhood as well prior to engine cover reattachment.
My Ranger roared to life and it seemed like it appreciated new plugs and the new engine air element I installed last weekend.

Reattach the EcoBoost Engine Cover if equipped by pushing down and reinstalling the 2x 10mm lock nuts. These just need to be hand tight.

That's it! Grab a cold one and enjoy a job well done!
The local dealer quoted me $130 just for installation (parts extra) so that is worth celebrating.
For the record it took me longer to write this write-up / take pictures than the actual job did.


To celebrate, I bought my first Snap-On ratchet with the “savings” from the spark plugs. Follow me for more financial advice. ?

I have looked around for a nice cross reference part lookup for plugs on the 2.3 EB and have not been able to find anything good. It would be a valuable community resource if we could put one together or find a good one.

It might be placebo but I think I idle smoother now and have nicely restored (or better) low end torque with the FP/Denso plugs.

Thanks for an other EXCELLENT write-up! I changed mine today (57k 2020XLT) I am very hesitant to touch this truck for some reason I used to work on everything but this thing just worries me for some reason! The dealer wanted about two hundred for the job, I almost paid it.
-there was no real 'click' when putting coils back on its hard to tell when they are on but the truck runs fine no misfire so I guess I got them back on ok. #4 was a little harder but not bad twist it like you said.
I used the 594 plugs - quick note for anyone else: the box says torque 10-20Nm which is about 88-177 INCH POUNDS I torqued to about 150 inch lbs and I swear it was only slightly more than hand tight (using a screwdriver handle on the socket)
- I mean just very slight maybe 1/16 a turn if that so they DO NOT get tightened much. I was pretty worried about it not being tight enough but I checked it with a second torque wrench and it was the same. At almost 60k miles my plugs all looked the same not really worn at all but 5 years seems reasonable to change them.

also for others: the box specifies NOT to gap them and does not mention anti-seize at all and stock plugs didnt have it either so probably not needed.

thanks again for a great write up and please keep them coming! youre helping a lot of us out!

 

[airline tech]

Thanks for an other EXCELLENT write-up! I changed mine today (57k 2020XLT) I am very hesitant to touch this truck for some reason I used to work on everything but this thing just worries me for some reason! The dealer wanted about two hundred for the job, I almost paid it.
-there was no real 'click' when putting coils back on its hard to tell when they are on but the truck runs fine no misfire so I guess I got them back on ok. #4 was a little harder but not bad twist it like you said.
I used the 594 plugs - quick note for anyone else: the box says torque 10-20Nm which is about 88-177 INCH POUNDS I torqued to about 150 inch lbs and I swear it was only slightly more than hand tight (using a screwdriver handle on the socket)
- I mean just very slight maybe 1/16 a turn if that so they DO NOT get tightened much. I was pretty worried about it not being tight enough but I checked it with a second torque wrench and it was the same. At almost 60k miles my plugs all looked the same not really worn at all but 5 years seems reasonable to change them.

also for others: the box specifies NOT to gap them and does not mention anti-seize at all and stock plugs didnt have it either so probably not needed.

thanks again for a great write up and please keep them coming! youre helping a lot of us out!

FYI:
Note: Manual Torque Spec = 106 In lbs, if you heavily coated them with Anti-Seize it will throw off the Torque, it only takes a small dab on the threads to spread it out.

 

[thewhiteranger]

FYI:
Note: Manual Torque Spec = 106 In lbs, if you heavily coated them with Anti-Seize it will throw off the Torque, it only takes a small dab on the threads to spread it out.

I did not anti seize on mine - I went to 150 in lb (couldn't find the spec so I went with what was on the box (88-177 inch lbs if I did the math right) the 110 I set for originally seemed like it was just hand tight it clicked immediately. the ones that came out were pretty tight, and I bought the truck new so first time they've been messed with it took a pretty good pull on the ratchet to get them loose anyway odds are I won't touch them again I will likely trade off at about 90k mi anyway at least I saved about $150 doing it myself and it was really not that hard at all thanks to a great write up

 

[taildraggerpilot]

The torque value seems so low, but that’s what I did: 106 in / lb

 

[Bomberhd]

Great write up. I followed your instructions and did not have a single problem. It went exactly as you described. I'm 60's and 70,'s old school and am not used to individual coils but your directions made it an easy job. Thank you.

 

[Trash Panda]

Great write up. I followed your instructions and did not have a single problem. It went exactly as you described. I'm 60's and 70,'s old school and am not used to individual coils but your directions made it an easy job. Thank you.

Glad it helped Bomberhd! These comments always put a smile on my face knowing I helped someone out there!

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