How to Replace the Rear Spark Plugs on a 2001 Ford Windstar 3.8

Removing spark plugs on a V-type engines may not be an easy task, since the plugs may be mounted on the underside of the angled cylinder heads. The spark plugs located along the back side a V-type engine that is mounted transversely in the engine compartment compounds this problem. The three rear spark plugs in the 2001 Windstar with the 3.8 liter V-6 may seem impossible to reach, but by removing a few components, the plugs can be reached from the top of the engine compartment for replacement.

Instructions

Draw a line across the top of each front wiper blade on the windshield with a dry-erase marker to indicate the position of the wiper blades. Pull up on the hinged cover at the pivot point of the left side wiper arm. Loosen and remove the wiper arm retaining nut with a 15 mm socket and ratchet wrench. Lift the wiper arm straight up and remove it. Remove the right side wiper arm in the same manner.

Remove the three retaining screws from the black plastic cowl cover with a Phillips screwdriver. Lift the front of the cover up. Reach under the cover and pull the windshield washer hose off the fitting on the bottom of the cover. Lift the cover straight up and remove it from the van.

Lift the plastic tab on the wiring connector for the windshield wiper motor revealed after removing the cowl cover. Pull the connector apart by hand. Remove the retaining bolts from the metal cover that the wiper motor is attached to with an 8 mm socket and ratchet wrench. Make a note of where each bolt came from, as they are of different lengths and will need to be installed into the same position during reassembly. Lift the metal cover straight up and remove it from the van.

Remove the two retaining nuts from the cabin air filter box on the firewall with an 8 mm socket and ratchet. Remove the box from the van.

Reach behind the engine and grasp one of the spark plug wire boots. Pull the boot straight off the spark plug. Inspect the plug wire for cuts, burns, cracks or abrasions that might affect its ability to deliver current to the spark plug. Replace the plug wire if necessary. Remove the spark plug with a 5/8-inch spark plug socket and a ratchet wrench. Use a spark plug gapping tool to ensure the replacement plug is gapped to between 0.052 and 0.056 inch.

Thread the spark plug into the cylinder head by hand to avoid cross-threading it. Tighten the plug finger-tight. Push the spark plug socket onto a torque wrench and tighten the plug to between 7 and 14 foot-pounds. Push the spark plug wire boot back onto the plug until it snaps into place.

Replace the other two spark plugs along the rear bank of cylinders in the same fashion.

Replace the cabin air filter and tighten the retaining nuts. Replace the metal cover and tighten the retaining bolts. Plug the wiper motor connector back together. Position the plastic cowl cover into place. Push the washer hose onto the fitting on the underside of the cover. Tighten the retaining screws on the cover.

Position the wiper arms back onto the pivot points so that the blades match the lines drawn on the windshield. Replace and tighten the retaining nuts. Push down on the hinged nut covers until they snap into place.

Replace the three spark plugs on the front bank of cylinders -- which are easily accessible at the front of the engine compartment -- in the same fashion as the rear plugs.