How do you change the spark plugs and ignition coil on a 2001 Ford Expedition?

Answer 1

ANSWER

I just finished this job on my 2001 Eddie Bower Expedition Saturday. Deffinitely not a job for beginners. I spent about four hours total. On the 5.4L Triton V8 (2001), each cylinder has its own coil and spark plug (eight of each). The coils are located directly above the plugs and need to be removed to gain access to the plugs. The coils are held in place by a 7mm screw. To remove the coils, remove the 7mm screw and pull the coil up. To remove the 7mm screws, I used a 7mm socket, a universal, and several extensions. If you are just changing the spark plugs, you can change the plug at this time. If the coil needs to be replaced, disconnect the wire connector on the coil after removing it from the engine. There is a small tab that has to be pressed on the wire plug and then it slips right off. Install a new coil in the reverse order. The coil has a rubber boot on the bottom similar to old style spark plug wire boots. There is an arrow on the boot and an arrow on the coil. MAKE SURE THESE ARROWS LINE UP WHEN INSTALLING THE COILS. If the arrows do not line up, the coild will not work properly and the engine will misfire.

If you are changing the spark plugs, remove the coil from the engine as stated above but do not unplug its wiring. Just move the coil asside. If possible, blow the spark plug hole out with compressed air before removing the spark plug. Next remove the spark plug. You will need a 5/8" spark plug socket, a universal, and several socket extensions (I used a 10" extension and several shorter extensions). The spark plug socket will hold the plug so it can be lifted out of the hole.

Gap the new plug and install it with anti seize compound or fresh oil on the threads. Be careful to start the new plug by hand instead of using the rachet. The heads are aluminum and the threads can be damaged easily. I strarted each plug by turning the extensions by hand and I did not have any trouble. Once the plug is in, add dielectric grease to the coil boot, place it over the plug, and reinstall the 7mm screw. repeat the proceedure 7 more times, and you are finished.

Additional observations. The passenger side is much harder than the drivers side. My advice, do the passenger side first starting in the back of the engine. There are numerous heater hoses and lines in the way on the passenger side that you have to work around. On the driver's side, I found it necessary to loosen the two 10mm bolts on the fuel injector lines (small chrome rails). Others have removed the lines but I did not find this necessary. After they were loose, I could move them enough to make room for working. On the driver's side, the Power Steering reservoir bracket has to come off. It is not a big deal just three small bolts. The engine is pretty high up on an expedition and I am 5'10". It was hard for me to reach the spark plugs. Place a blanket or pad on the cowling above the radiator and use a small step stool if you cannot reach the engine. The blanket will provide padding for your ribs and stomach as you lean over.

After I was finished with changing all of the spark plugs, I still had an engine misfire. Without a trouble code to help, I bought one new coil. It was $54.00 at Advance Auto. Starting on the passenger side of the truck, I replaced the cylinder #1 coil with the new one and ran the engine. Next, I put the old cylinder #1 coil into cylinder #2. Old #2 into #3, etc. Each time I changed a coil, I ran the engine. When I replaced the coil on cylinder #4, the engine misfire went away and I was finished. The only time this method would not work is if more than one coil is bad.

Patience is the key. If you do it yourself, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you save HUNDREDS of dollars.

Auto Zone can run a diagnostic and tell you which cylinder is misfiring. I replaced all the spark plugs but are only replacing ignition coils as needed, using Auto Zone to tell me which one.