SVT spark plug problem!!

[zhagg]

i have a 2003 svt focus and needed to change the plugs when i took off the plugs that were in the car when i bought it i noticed that on the third cylinder the plug had a washer on it but the other plugs didnt i bought a new set of plugs and they all fit perfect except for the one that had a washer it wouldnt tighten down all the way with out a washer nd my plugs look like they are worn when they are brand new does anyone have any ideas whats goin on or why the third cylinder needs a washer any help would b great

[zetecDon]

Moved to "General Technical Chat".

[whynotthinkwhynot]

It sounds like the threads are clogged up on that one. Do you have the washer that was installed on the old spark plug? If not you might ask for indexing washers at the parts store, then they will look at you funny, so you'll have to go to a performance store to get some.

With good luck you can use that same washer that was on the old one. The only way to repair this is to re-thread the spark plug hole, or drill it out and install a heli-coil which is not something I'd recommend until you can't thread anything in that hole at all.

Now you can wait until you have some money for a flash programmer, maybe some poly intake boots, new timing parts, water pump, and a performance cylinder head.

[zhagg]

im still figuring this out but i took a good look in the head with a flashlight and the third plug sits lower than the other plugs but its puzzling because every hole looks exactly the same and by the way would you recomend any plugs that are reliable and safe for the svt because i know that this car needds colder plugs than the zx3 and i think the gave me plugs for the zx3 at autozone and i am definatly going to be doing all those mods soon

[whynotthinkwhynot]

When they bring up plugs at Autozone, there should be a page showing 2.0L installed in 60%, and another 2.0L installed in like 35%, and then one installed in 15%- you want the plugs for the one that has the smallest percentage installed. Those will be the right plugs, and yes, regular Zetec plugs are too hot for the SVT.

You can also ask over in the SVT Performance forum what plugs to get for your car and they will give you the numbers as well as a lot of information you didn't ask for.

As far as your #3 plug goes, it might have a heli-coil installed already. Go dig that old #3 plug out of the trash and get that washer. Logically, it was in there before and it worked, so it will work this time- right?

[Insaniac]

Originally Posted by zhagg

im still figuring this out but i took a good look in the head with a flashlight and the third plug sits lower than the other plugs but its puzzling because every hole looks exactly the same and by the way would you recomend any plugs that are reliable and safe for the svt because i know that this car needds colder plugs than the zx3 and i think the gave me plugs for the zx3 at autozone and i am definatly going to be doing all those mods soon

I just put a set of Motorcraft SP-463 (AZFS22C) copper core spark plugs (gapped to 0.060) in my SVT and they are great. There have been a lot of discussions in a lot of threads about what plugs to use and the SP-463s are one of the most popular and widely agreed upon plugs. I was able to get all 4 plugs for $2/ea.

Even Turbo Tom (1turbofocus) recommends them for the SVT >source<