As far as the difficulty of changing the spark plugs.... I have found out that although it’s a lot of work to strip down the cowling to get to the plugs and ignition coil, the front plugs were difficult because of the rust. The back 3 plugs were easier to get out because they are more protected from the elements. Moving the ignition coil out of the way helps tremendously to getting a spark plug socket onto each plug. The ignition coil on the Windstars are known to go bad, causing misfires, stuttering, and throwing codes. So while you have access to the rear of the engine to replace the plugs, it’s worth it to replace the coil with a new Motorcraft ignition coil, as well as new wires. For around $120 on amazon, you can replace plugs, wires, and coils with Motorcraft parts. It’s worth it. Will be good for another 100K miles.
Wonderful video. Thank you. I am looking this up for someone who posted in a fb group that they were quoted $500 to do the plugs, and couldn’t believe it, but hadn’t looked it up. So, I did. Now I know how to do it. I don’t own a Ford.
I pull the van onto ramps and remove the plugs from underneath while laying on my back. It takes just a little less time than removing the cowl and I get to inspect other things and clean up a little with a rag while I'm down there.
@@hmdwn Yes. Except for when I put my arm(s) through to use the wrench. Then I close my eyes and visualize what's going on. It doesn't take but about 10-15 minutes to take the cowl off, though. 5-10 minutes to get it back on.
@@hmdwn Update from today: Changing the plugs from below is a WHOLE LOT easier than changing the heater hose assembly. The Tee split on the hose that goes to the rear heater. I just got it back together tonight.
I have a 95 windstar mine is a little different has a 3.8 but my throttle body faces the firewall, tried to go from bottom but the rack opinion is directly in the way.
My 2004 Ford Freestar (same as the Windstar) had a P0303 (misfire on #3 cylinder).I initially tried Seafoam and it fixed the issue BUT it returned a week later. Replaced all (6) spark plugs and the issue is fixed. The #3 cylinder spark plug was fouled very badly. This is definitely worth doing but it will take some patience and time.
Is this for the 3.8 ??? I have my father 98 with 70,000 miles OE plugs... it runs good but I would like to change out the plugs. EDIT... what about removing the Intake Manifold, would that gain access to the rear plugs and/or be the lessor of two evils?
Have you ever replaced the speed sensor on your 98? Mine is bad and I cannot get to it for the life of me. I'm thinking now that I know that the cowl comes off like that, it may be easier to get at. Thanks this video is great!
My speed sensor sometimes acts up, The speedometer will stay at zero and the transmission won't shift. But for the most part the speedo works and transmission shifts just fine... a code reader showed a bad speed sensor.
Believe it or not there is a way to do this from under the car without removing the cowling. The arm has to be a very specific way but it can be done fairly easily. I've done it a thousand times, there is light at the end of the tunnel ! Of course everything needs to be cold.
@@candypuff5014 The first time is always the hardest. It'll be easier and quicker the next time because you now know what to expect. I take a little extra time and a couple of rags when I'm down there to clean up dust, dirt and any stray oil that may be there and check for leaks of any kind. I found and repaired a coolant leak that I'd been trying to chase down for months and never saw it from the top or the wheel well.
I need your help,as you know You Tube changed there policy and now i need more subscribers.please subscribe to my channel ..if you have already thanks as i do not see all my subscribes names....ted I usually upload videos twice a week
@@joevignolor4u949 Naw, it's quicker to pull the van onto ramps and lay on a mat to do it. Not that much quicker, but it IS quicker. It takes 10-15 minutes to remove the cowl. By then, I've already gotten one or two. possibly all three, plugs out. I've done it both ways. If I already have the cowl off for something else, I'll check the plugs while I'm in there. But if all I'm going to do is change the plugs, I use the ramps.
@@tinkerscorner54 In that van you can't even get at the plugs from the bottom. There is too much stuff in the way. You probably couldn't even see them from underneath.
@@joevignolor4u949 Hmmmm. . . No one ever told mine, I reckon. You ARE talking about a Ford Windstar, right? You can see the plugs just fine on my 2001 SEL, along with other things that most foks believe is only a black hole that wrenches disappear in to. I had a '96 that I changed the plugs from below, also.
The cowling is actually easy and quick to remove and reinstall. The van is designed so the cowling can be removed to access the rear of the engine. The Dodge Caravan is designed the same way for the same reason.
its actually really easy trust me hahah my arms with rashes all over them after diging around in there for half an hour i wish my buddy took a picture of me crawling on top of my engine lmao!
The best video resource I've found for replacing the plugs on a windstar. Thanks for the upload and information man!
As far as the difficulty of changing the spark plugs....
I have found out that although it’s a lot of work to strip down the cowling to get to the plugs and ignition coil, the front plugs were difficult because of the rust. The back 3 plugs were easier to get out because they are more protected from the elements.
Moving the ignition coil out of the way helps tremendously to getting a spark plug socket onto each plug.
The ignition coil on the Windstars are known to go bad, causing misfires, stuttering, and throwing codes. So while you have access to the rear of the engine to replace the plugs, it’s worth it to replace the coil with a new Motorcraft ignition coil, as well as new wires.
For around $120 on amazon, you can replace plugs, wires, and coils with Motorcraft parts. It’s worth it. Will be good for another 100K miles.
I give your video a thumbs up you do a very good job explaining what's all involved in this process
Wonderful video. Thank you. I am looking this up for someone who posted in a fb group that they were quoted $500 to do the plugs, and couldn’t believe it, but hadn’t looked it up. So, I did. Now I know how to do it. I don’t own a Ford.
I got prices of $175.00 but will do it myself because some mechanics usually break more things as they try to fix something.
I pull the van onto ramps and remove the plugs from underneath while laying on my back. It takes just a little less time than removing the cowl and I get to inspect other things and clean up a little with a rag while I'm down there.
Seriously, you can actually see the plugs from underneath and remove them???
I have my fathers 1998 with the 3.8
@@hmdwn Yes. Except for when I put my arm(s) through to use the wrench. Then I close my eyes and visualize what's going on. It doesn't take but about 10-15 minutes to take the cowl off, though. 5-10 minutes to get it back on.
@@hmdwn Update from today: Changing the plugs from below is a WHOLE LOT easier than changing the heater hose assembly. The Tee split on the hose that goes to the rear heater. I just got it back together tonight.
I have a 95 windstar mine is a little different has a 3.8 but my throttle body faces the firewall, tried to go from bottom but the rack opinion is directly in the way.
I have a 98 with the 3.8 so getting to them from below is a no-go?
My 2004 Ford Freestar (same as the Windstar) had a P0303 (misfire on #3 cylinder).I initially tried Seafoam and it fixed the issue BUT it returned a week later. Replaced all (6) spark plugs and the issue is fixed. The #3 cylinder spark plug was fouled very badly. This is definitely worth doing but it will take some patience and time.
Is this for the 3.8 ???
I have my father 98 with 70,000 miles OE plugs... it runs good but I would like to change out the plugs.
EDIT... what about removing the Intake Manifold, would that gain access to the rear plugs and/or be the lessor of two evils?
Thanks for posting this video . I'm about to change spark plugs on 2000 windstar . Thinking it's about same.
Have you ever replaced the speed sensor on your 98? Mine is bad and I cannot get to it for the life of me. I'm thinking now that I know that the cowl comes off like that, it may be easier to get at. Thanks this video is great!
My speed sensor sometimes acts up, The speedometer will stay at zero and the transmission won't shift. But for the most part the speedo works and transmission shifts just fine... a code reader showed a bad speed sensor.
thank you. This is very helpful.
Believe it or not there is a way to do this from under the car without removing the cowling.
The arm has to be a very specific way but it can be done fairly easily. I've done it a thousand times, there is light at the end of the tunnel ! Of course everything needs to be cold.
I'm gna try it ur way today
@@candypuff5014 the one pitfall if you have an independent ac in the back, because then the piping is in the way I think. Good luck!
@@brianeno1062 I did it. I think only due to my baby arms...lmao...damn that was rough though
@@candypuff5014 The first time is always the hardest. It'll be easier and quicker the next time because you now know what to expect. I take a little extra time and a couple of rags when I'm down there to clean up dust, dirt and any stray oil that may be there and check for leaks of any kind. I found and repaired a coolant leak that I'd been trying to chase down for months and never saw it from the top or the wheel well.
Nice gap! Mine has 130000 miles with all original plugs and wires. Just started getting a miss, so I guess it's time. Lol
I need your help,as you know You Tube changed there policy and now i need more subscribers.please subscribe to my channel ..if you have already thanks as i do not see all my subscribes names....ted I usually upload videos twice a week
Everyone always says that you have to remove the wiper tray I've never needed to
But what year Windstar and which engine do you have???
I wish i saw this video before i did mine ,I Coulndt reach one so I scrape my knuckles pretty good !!:(
Great video !!#
You can replace these spark plugs from the bottom without removing the cowling.
True. But trust me it's quicker and easier to take the cowling off first and do it from the top.
True but if it is a Windstar with the rear ac the lines run right there to make it more difficult.
@@joevignolor4u949 Naw, it's quicker to pull the van onto ramps and lay on a mat to do it. Not that much quicker, but it IS quicker. It takes 10-15 minutes to remove the cowl. By then, I've already gotten one or two. possibly all three, plugs out. I've done it both ways. If I already have the cowl off for something else, I'll check the plugs while I'm in there. But if all I'm going to do is change the plugs, I use the ramps.
@@tinkerscorner54 In that van you can't even get at the plugs from the bottom. There is too much stuff in the way. You probably couldn't even see them from underneath.
@@joevignolor4u949 Hmmmm. . . No one ever told mine, I reckon. You ARE talking about a Ford Windstar, right? You can see the plugs just fine on my 2001 SEL, along with other things that most foks believe is only a black hole that wrenches disappear in to. I had a '96 that I changed the plugs from below, also.
The cowling is actually easy and quick to remove and reinstall. The van is designed so the cowling can be removed to access the rear of the engine. The Dodge Caravan is designed the same way for the same reason.
its actually really easy trust me hahah my arms with rashes all over them after diging around in there for half an hour i wish my buddy took a picture of me crawling on top of my engine lmao!
i replaced the coil at the same time as the plugs for good measure
I have to do this on mine cus it runs like shit but im starting with the plug wires tho also broke the clip on the plug for the coilpack oops
I use a magnetic spark plug socket works so mu h better