Torque and Chrome

Ford Focus (1999) - Spark plugs - how easy to change?

Your Question Focus:Spark plugs - I'm a beginner - how easy to change? I heard I should get Platinum but heard the clearance and cross threading can be an issue. Should I leave it for the mechanics? I heard if I tightened them in by more than 1/16th on a turn (in the Haynes manual) and I don't use a torque wrench or set the clearance incorrectly then they become very inefficient. Is there a feeler gauge on my 1999 Ford Focus? How likely am I to make a mistake? Where is the cheapest place to by the platinum plugs from? I heard these days they come with some sort of clearance built into them? Any links would be handy cheers. Are spark plugs generic to vehicles? LrT provided a god answer. Kelly Fwas confusing with her grammar. I checked on Yahoo Answers and someone mentioned Iridium. I phoend aCar parts place and there do the standard ones for £1.65 + tax or the Iridium ones for £11.75 + tax (17.5%, VAT). They are pre-gapped. The Iridium ones are good for 60-80,000 miles and he recommended a wrench. I will have to see if I have the relevant one. He said that the standard ones are fine (prob last 20,000 miles) and will do for for a few years. Aware the expensive ones will be more efficent (but how much more effecient? He said "they give a great spark" it was luaghable how passionate he sounded! He said the expensive ones woudl be fine in my 1.6 16v car but considering the expense people who buy them are those who typically map their ECUs etc.

Public Comments

1. You need a mechanic to do it, doesn't sound like you have much mechanical knowledge about autos. There's a lot of terms you're throwing around and we can tell you don't know what they mean.
2. most arer some what easy to change on any car there are a feew that is hard to get to do it is a home to do at home most anyone can do it... any parts store can get you everything you need just tell them you want to change plugs and tell them what tools you might need and they will fix you up this site wil help you with what you might need to know all models will be some what the same so in knowing how one is done you can pretty much do them all... best advice is remember too do one at a time.. so you do not mix the plug wires and set gap with a tool about 30 cents
3. they are not that hard to change. just make sure you don,t break them off in the head. you don,t need those high price plugs, just go with what it calls for. i,am not trying to run you down but if your not sure what to do then maybe you should let someone else change them.