Originally posted by RoadRunner:
Kennard,

You haven't spoken to any Technicians at your local FORD Dealers.

When my car was NEW, I had gotten a CEL twice.
The first time they dismissed it, and the second time I had TWO PLUGS and TWO WIRES
replaced because of misfires caused by broken plug insulators.

I asked how they could break, and I was told that sometimes the ceramic material
could have a hairline crack in it when the plug is assembled.
The crack is not enough for the plug to fail inspection or a quality test,
but when the spark plug is put into use and it heats and cools over a period of time,
the crack will grow and cause the plug to fail.

Detonation will accelerate this process.





Actually I have spoken to many Ford dealers, and it was the last Ford dealer who sort of got me on the right track with the Motorcraft plugs. But that guy said an engine couldn't break the insulator of a plug. He (the parts mgr) told me to go see the service mgr, who was a 'tune-up expert', THAT guy told me that it was either me dropping them or breaking them upon installation, or there was a problem in production. So I had the dealer install a set, they still broke. Just like the previous 2 sets, so yes, I have seen Ford dealers, lots of them. And for the record, I never did get a CEL. I was told the same thing about the plugs, that there could be a hairline crack, invisible to the naked eye. Which honestly, was a crock, the dealership was trying to cover up the fact that they had no idea.

Ken, 99 Silver Frost SE Zetec Atx, polished alloys, Kumho's, Pioneer hi power CD/AM/FM. Factory spoiler (added) Audi side lites, Borla stainless steel muff. Stolen, recovered in pieces. Looking for another Tour, preferably V6, 5 speed.