When I change the rear plugs on my 2002 Windstar, I just run the front wheels up on ramps and slide in under the front bumper. Look up through the frame and the plugs are right there, easy! Just make sure the vehicle is cool because the exhaust is right there too...
Thank You Very Much for this video. I am going to work on my 2001 Windstar Van this weekend. You both made it look so easy. I feel confident now on what to do. - Brian Bower Las Vegas. 😀
Great teaching vid! I start the engine before reassembly of wiper parts though, in case there's a problem with new plugs and wires... saves having to disassemble wiper parts again if there's some problem with the new spark plugs that needs addressing. I put 3 in 1 oil on the 8 bolt's threads and underside of washers to make reinsertion now and removal the next time that much easier. I also put a light coat of Vaseline on the washer hose nipples so hose slides on and off easier.
Agree about the dielectric grease and also the anti sieze that was used. We I was working for a living we had a rep from Loctite come in to our shop. we ashed him 'hom much loctite, anti sieze and dielecric grease shoyld be used" He said and I quote "USE IT LIKE YOU WERE PAYING FOR IT OUT OF YOUR POCKET" more is not better...
Thanks for the thorough video. Did this job this afternoon on my 02 Windstar. Sooo glad I didn’t listen to the hundreds of scaredy cats on the internet saying you need a hoist or just let your mechanic do it .. it was a totally fun little 2-hour job. It took 30 minutes to take the cowling off, and another 20 minutes at the end to put it back on (and a partner is not required). Much faster than building a hoist in your driveway.. and I would still rather work in the sunshine :)
Thanks for the great video, not a lot of room in this engine compartment as compared to rear wheel drive cars I am used to. Replaced my Windstar plugs at about 100k (!). The car was running fine though. I was worried about them being hard to remove so I sprayed "a bit" of "PB penetrating catalyst" and let them soak overnight. Plugs were indeed easy to remove, however, when starting the engine after plug replacement ...there was a lot of smoke from the PB combustion...a bit scary, but all was fine in the end. I am a shorter female and "a couple of hours" including cleaning around the plugs in the back would be an underestimation. It helped to use a mirror to see what you are doing exactly although the back plugs are placed by touch mostly.. Also I used the OEM plugs. I like to do my own maintenance if I can.
awesome video thanks for the tip to remove the wiper assembly i was treading getting to back plugs and wires but now im happy to know i have an easier way to this !!!
Thanks for your help. That's a good idea with the plywood. I'll be giving that a try one of next few weekends coming. I may video it so I can show others the positioning.
HELL YEAH! I've been hesitant to doing this on my GF's vsn- but I can't have her go spending money she doesn't have just for spark plugs- I just had to see it done- so I could realize how easy it is to do- THANKS 2001 Windstar - in dire need of a tune up
2) If you get stuck at Step 3 [disconnect the windshield washer line], my washer hose certainly didn’t pull off like it shows in the video (is that not glue residue you see when the tube is pulled out?). After pulling for 5 minutes I found that there is nice soft tubing that comes off the base of the nozzle itself in one pull, and slips back on just as easy. Aside from hitting and overcoming those two roadblocks, this was a great little job that went just like in the video. Thanks again!
Good video for the novice, but to much tear down just to change spark plugs & wires , when all you have to do go from underneath and they are right there ......... I'm a seasoned technician with 45+ years in a brick n mortar shop and time is money , money is time , so I always went from underneath to change mine , 190 thousand miles on my 99 windstar......... happy motoring and keep up the good videos!
Real-world scenario, doing this in your driveway, the only things I would note: 1) If you get stuck at Step 1 [pull the wipers off], don’t get disheartened and think you need a “wiper arm removal tool.” You just need to close the hood, flip the wipers into their vertical positions, and pull them straight off. Easier than with the tool anyways.
Awesome demonstration, thank you .had a question, I changed the plugs and wires last year , and drove about 8000 miles, but # 2 and 4 plugs started to miss fire. When I took it out had lots of deposits on them . What causes miss fire please?
Leave it to modern Engineers to design an engine compartment so that something as simple as a quick spark plug or oil change turns into a car tear down and rebuild. I hate modern cars.
It’s all a scam… or the design engineers have the mechanic and car maintenance industry considered. It’s all an elaborate economy. You ever seen that documentary about the ice cream machine at McDonald’s and why it’s always broken? I’d watch it if I were you. I’m sure you already know but McDonald’s and the companies they are in cahoots with are super greezy… on some mob kickback sweetheart deal type stuff.
Cars should be arrow-dynamic, function physically, protect you from the elements. Nothing more nothing less. I feel like 95% of a car is meaningless and unnecessary to get a human body from A to B and back to A. I hate cars. All of them. Even though I currently own a 99 windstar. I wish cars were as simple as a hammer.
It should be noted that dielectric grease is an insulator, not a conductor and should not be allowed to get between any of the metal surfaces. Its sole purpose is to prevent water intrusion and keep silicone parts from bonding to the porcelain of the spark plugs. In other words, WAY too much silicone grease was used here. It will probably do more harm than good.
To all of the wind stars owners. Yes, is a pain in the neck. Putting the rear spark plugs. So it appears to. I have a 2003 Windstar. The rear spark plug is very easy to take out if the van is lifted up on a bay. There the mechanic can easily remove them. I personally, do the front and the rear I bring to some local mechanics where I can see what they are doing. I pay them $30 to $40. to do the back. But, is more of a pain putting a new heater core. They wanted $300.00 to install. I didn't have that kind of money. I viewed a few youtube video on that job. And went and tackled the job Took the passenger sit out so I can lay there more comfortable do to my back pain. Took consul out and all the stuff needed get there. There are like 5 little bolts at the bottom of that box holding the heater core on a 2003 Windstar Take them out pry open that flap and the heater core is there. Just reach in and grab it. As long as you have disconnected the hoses by the firewall. I also did the isolating bolt and the intake gasket in the engine. They wanted $800. The kit cost me $90.00 plus my work.
you dont have to pull the wipers or cowl on the windstars only the freestar. you just have to get the wind tunnels loose from the top clam and then wiggle the top clam piece out. we sell those quite often including the freestars at the dealership i work for. just did intake manifold gaskets on a 2000 freestar 3.8 today. the nylon bushings on the control arms were bad and one was missing for quite sometime. they are 8 dollars each at the dealership today. we needed 3 for 24 bucks plus tax. you have to insert the bushing first then the arm and are common to go bad. plus you have to do the manifold gaskets top to bottom in on those around 100k miles with the tune up. the intake manifold gaskets on those goes to trash about that time trust me ive done quite a few of em, takes about 5 hours top to bottom. and they are common to throw the lean or rich codes as well. ford slapped the cheapest trash in there they could find
+Anthony Wakeland I think their engines look a bit different. I would recommend you to go to your local junkyard and practice on a windstar there. These days I had the luck, my local junkyard had a Windstar fuck fest. They were so many.
From what I've been told, it IS hard to see what your doing on the back three plugs. So you'll have to replace them more by feel than sight. I lay right on a small piece of board or plywood on a blanket resting on the top of the engine. It's like working on your stomach.
Good Lord, thats enough tools to rebuild the Space Shuttle. I did all that with 4 tools, no need to remove both wipers, no need for the wiper arm tool. I understand this a an instructional video but you do not need 150.00 in tools.
Of all the things I truly wanted to see is how to physically get to the rear plugs on my wife's 99 Windstar, like where do my hands go and how well can you see what you're doing. Do I need a step stool or do I climb into the engine bay.... WHAT? The video doesn't show this and it's the whole reason I watched it. UGH!
You should try changing out the AC compressor, you have to practically tear the engine apart, and you have to UNBOLT THE ENGINE itself from the frame so you can lift the engine enough to give you room to remove the compressor. Modern car Engine compartment design sucks!
John Norris Damn....I could't imagine......Ive got a 98 Windstar 3.8....Everytime it goes to the shop its expensive to work on.....Like you said...How hard it is to get to evetything....I just dropped $600 into the front end and its still making noise when i go over bumps or turn the steering wheel.....It only has 114k on t....Hoping the a/c compressor doesnt go out...haha....I just spent $200 getting the rear a/c fixed.....
I hope this guy will procure some power tools. Watching this video is like SLOW MOTION. I was going to send this video to my nephew so he could see how it's done, but this looks like it is a lot more time consuming than just removing the engine cover on the inside of the vehicle, like I do which is a lot easier than this crapolla. Maybe I should start making video's I've got real tools and a real video camera.
Not bad, but there is an easier way to it. My mechanic put the van on the lift and changed the rear spark plugs from underneath. No need to take the wipers/cowling off.
What you Did Not Show and explain was exactly HOW you removed the plugs after tearing down half the friggin engine! Size of ratchet, approach, etc. Even after the tear down it's not simple to get the angle on removing the plugs. That would have saved a heck of a lot of time and frustration. You just skipped to doing spark plug gap???? And only needed to see that once!
Hello 99-02 windstar owners. the following years are all the same. never remove all this stuff like they are showing to remove rear plugs. thats insane!. put the vehicle up on ramps. get them out from under the van.
It would be great if you guys didnt make a real time video showing every single twist for every bolt. for example you could just pull the bolt and is obvious that you untwisted before. that way you save like 45 minutes of boring video. :P
![Jordan Adetunji - KEHLANI REMIX (feat. Kehlani) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EeJ8n5PxFGE/mqdefault.jpg)
Thankyou for your help. Helping my grandma out while visiting. God Bless You
When I change the rear plugs on my 2002 Windstar, I just run the front wheels up on ramps and slide in under the front bumper. Look up through the frame and the plugs are right there, easy! Just make sure the vehicle is cool because the exhaust is right there too...
Thanks for posting this. I was staring at my engine trying to figure out how I was supposed to get behind that engine.
Thank You Very Much for this video. I am going to work on my 2001 Windstar Van this weekend. You both made it look so easy. I feel confident now on what to do. - Brian Bower Las Vegas. 😀
Thanks a lot for this thorough video. I thought I would need a mechanic to change my spark plugs. Instead I did it myself and saved a lot of money.
Thanks guys! Great help, after watching this I tackled the job on my 2003 Windstar.
Great teaching vid! I start the engine before reassembly of wiper parts though, in case there's a problem with new plugs and wires... saves having to disassemble wiper parts again if there's some problem with the new spark plugs that needs addressing. I put 3 in 1 oil on the 8 bolt's threads and underside of washers to make reinsertion now and removal the next time that much easier. I also put a light coat of Vaseline on the washer hose nipples so hose slides on and off easier.
Thanks, I'm doing my plug / wire change tomorrow. Very helpful video !
Agree about the dielectric grease and also the anti sieze that was used. We I was working for a living we had a rep from Loctite come in to our shop. we ashed him
'hom much loctite, anti sieze and dielecric grease shoyld be used" He said and I quote "USE IT LIKE YOU WERE PAYING FOR IT OUT OF YOUR POCKET" more is not better...
Thanks for the thorough video. Did this job this afternoon on my 02 Windstar. Sooo glad I didn’t listen to the hundreds of scaredy cats on the internet saying you need a hoist or just let your mechanic do it .. it was a totally fun little 2-hour job. It took 30 minutes to take the cowling off, and another 20 minutes at the end to put it back on (and a partner is not required). Much faster than building a hoist in your driveway.. and I would still rather work in the sunshine :)
Good video . It amazing how much has to be done when a shade tree mechanic could do is less than 30 min. But your video is educational. Thank you
Thanks for the great video, not a lot of room in this engine compartment as compared to rear wheel drive cars I am used to. Replaced my Windstar plugs at about 100k (!). The car was running fine though. I was worried about them being hard to remove so I sprayed "a bit" of "PB penetrating catalyst" and let them soak overnight. Plugs were indeed easy to remove, however, when starting the engine after plug replacement ...there was a lot of smoke from the PB combustion...a bit scary, but all was fine in the end. I am a shorter female and "a couple of hours" including cleaning around the plugs in the back would be an underestimation. It helped to use a mirror to see what you are doing exactly although the back plugs are placed by touch mostly.. Also I used the OEM plugs. I like to do my own maintenance if I can.
I have to do this very job today. Very informative and helpful video! Thanks :)
awesome video thanks for the tip to remove the wiper assembly i was treading getting to back plugs and wires but now im happy to know i have an easier way to this !!!
Thanks for your help. That's a good idea with the plywood. I'll be giving that a try one of next few weekends coming. I may video it so I can show others the positioning.
Gracias por tu vídeo, se me asia muy difícil por abajo cambiar las bujías, pero hoy aprendí cómo cambiar las bujías, gracias.
Thank you for posting this, was very helpful!
Nice video, thank you. Mine is a 2001 LX.
Love these videos!!!! The real real !!#
thank you guys! life savers
Gonna give it a shot on our 2000 Windstar this weekend...
This seems to work also for 2003 Ford Windstar. Thanks!
piece of cake thanks bro!!!
Very helpful, Thank you!!
great video. Thank you!
Buen trabajo lo entendí todo.. mil gracias
I would have to sit by the pool and have a pina colada after all that.
Very helpful guys tank you 👍
thank you this is extremely helpful
HELL YEAH! I've been hesitant to doing this on my GF's vsn- but I can't have her go spending money she doesn't have just for spark plugs- I just had to see it done- so I could realize how easy it is to do- THANKS 2001 Windstar - in dire need of a tune up
2) If you get stuck at Step 3 [disconnect the windshield washer line], my washer hose certainly didn’t pull off like it shows in the video (is that not glue residue you see when the tube is pulled out?). After pulling for 5 minutes I found that there is nice soft tubing that comes off the base of the nozzle itself in one pull, and slips back on just as easy.
Aside from hitting and overcoming those two roadblocks, this was a great little job that went just like in the video. Thanks again!
Good video for the novice, but to much tear down just to change spark plugs & wires , when all you have to do go from underneath and they are right there ......... I'm a seasoned technician with 45+ years in a brick n mortar shop and time is money , money is time , so I always went from underneath to change mine , 190 thousand miles on my 99 windstar......... happy motoring and keep up the good videos!
But can they be removed from the bottom if it's a 98 Windstar with the 3.8 AND AC lines to the rear of the vehicle???
Nice Video, Thanks !!!
Wow amazing you don't even have to remove the old plugs!!!!!
Real-world scenario, doing this in your driveway, the only things I would note:
1) If you get stuck at Step 1 [pull the wipers off], don’t get disheartened and think you need a “wiper arm removal tool.” You just need to close the hood, flip the wipers into their vertical positions, and pull them straight off. Easier than with the tool anyways.
it does help us for the back plugs
This seems to work also for 2002 Windstar. I will try. Thanks.
Thank you guys just save me $120 bucks!!
good vid thanks
Awesome demonstration, thank you .had a question, I changed the plugs and wires last year , and drove about 8000 miles, but # 2 and 4 plugs started to miss fire. When I took it out had lots of deposits on them . What causes miss fire please?
Hi yuo vídeo is verry good, thanks.
Leave it to modern Engineers to design an engine compartment so that something as simple as a quick spark plug or oil change turns into a car tear down and rebuild. I hate modern cars.
John Norris right. Ridiculous. Use to take 30 min or less
@@lescap3384 well when you take a v6 and transverse mount it for fwd...
It’s all a scam… or the design engineers have the mechanic and car maintenance industry considered. It’s all an elaborate economy. You ever seen that documentary about the ice cream machine at McDonald’s and why it’s always broken? I’d watch it if I were you. I’m sure you already know but McDonald’s and the companies they are in cahoots with are super greezy… on some mob kickback sweetheart deal type stuff.
Cars should be arrow-dynamic, function physically, protect you from the elements. Nothing more nothing less. I feel like 95% of a car is meaningless and unnecessary to get a human body from A to B and back to A. I hate cars. All of them. Even though I currently own a 99 windstar. I wish cars were as simple as a hammer.
Thanks Fellas....👍
Thank you for teaching us how to replace the spark plugs of the 1999 Ford Windstar, just ask what is the order of the cables? Thank you.
Going heavy on the anti-seize on those plugs; aren't you afraid of spark jump?
excelent
Changing the spark plugs and wires on my 2003 Windstar
It should be noted that dielectric grease is an insulator, not a conductor and should not be allowed to get between any of the metal surfaces. Its sole purpose is to prevent water intrusion and keep silicone parts from bonding to the porcelain of the spark plugs. In other words, WAY too much silicone grease was used here. It will probably do more harm than good.
Thank You Guy's...👍
I found it easier to remove & replace the metal screws using a cordless drill with the correct socket and extension.
Thanks
How many hours?
just did mine. took me two hours to do it. it is really tight in the back. that was the hardest part. you only got a couple on inches the play with
What is the easiest way to get to the back three? from the top or bottom
Underneath
To all of the wind stars owners. Yes, is a pain in the neck. Putting the rear spark plugs. So it appears to. I have a 2003 Windstar. The rear spark plug is very easy to take out if the van is lifted up on a bay. There the mechanic can easily remove them. I personally, do the front and the rear I bring to some local mechanics where I can see what they are doing. I pay them $30 to $40. to do the back. But, is more of a pain putting a new heater core. They wanted $300.00 to install. I didn't have that kind of money. I viewed a few youtube video on that job. And went and tackled the job Took the passenger sit out so I can lay there more comfortable do to my back pain. Took consul out and all the stuff needed get there. There are like 5 little bolts at the bottom of that box holding the heater core on a 2003 Windstar Take them out pry open that flap and the heater core is there. Just reach in and grab it. As long as you have disconnected the hoses by the firewall. I also did the isolating bolt and the intake gasket in the engine. They wanted $800. The kit cost me $90.00 plus my work.
What are the best spark plugs & wires ?? I as well have a 2003 lx
I did my 2001 windstar the hard way, did not removed anything but the plugs and wires. The one plug most difficult is behind and to the left.
you dont have to pull the wipers or cowl on the windstars only the freestar. you just have to get the wind tunnels loose from the top clam and then wiggle the top clam piece out. we sell those quite often including the freestars at the dealership i work for. just did intake manifold gaskets on a 2000 freestar 3.8 today. the nylon bushings on the control arms were bad and one was missing for quite sometime. they are 8 dollars each at the dealership today. we needed 3 for 24 bucks plus tax. you have to insert the bushing first then the arm and are common to go bad. plus you have to do the manifold gaskets top to bottom in on those around 100k miles with the tune up. the intake manifold gaskets on those goes to trash about that time trust me ive done quite a few of em, takes about 5 hours top to bottom. and they are common to throw the lean or rich codes as well. ford slapped the cheapest trash in there they could find
Omg it comes off.
hi guys!, this instructions apply on windstar 2003? BTW the video is great!! thanks!
MoSkiTa72 yes
why would anybody design a car this way? Ford is ridiculous
its ridiculous. What is normally a 10 minute job or less, has now become an hour job.
Is this 3.5 litre engine or 3.8, like in mine 2003 Windstar??
Eero Laukkanen, the indestructible Vulcan 3.0 v6, developed in1985 for 86 FWD sable/taurus is the economy engine
OK, so 1999 =) Similar, but bigger !
I meant 2003 ;o)
It’s a 3.8
Where did you start changing the rear ones? You showed the front ones 3 times? Why repeat? Other than that it's a good video.
I have a 2003 windstar, is it the same process as the 1999?
+Anthony Wakeland I think their engines look a bit different. I would recommend you to go to your local junkyard and practice on a windstar there. These days I had the luck, my local junkyard had a Windstar fuck fest. They were so many.
From what I've been told, it IS hard to see what your doing on the back three plugs. So you'll have to replace them more by feel than sight. I lay right on a small piece of board or plywood on a blanket resting on the top of the engine. It's like working on your stomach.
Agreed. A LITTLE dab will do ya.
Good Lord, thats enough tools to rebuild the Space Shuttle. I did all that with 4 tools, no need to remove both wipers, no need for the wiper arm tool. I understand this a an instructional video but you do not need 150.00 in tools.
Change the fuel filter
A little anti sieze good Lord
Of all the things I truly wanted to see is how to physically get to the rear plugs on my wife's 99 Windstar, like where do my hands go and how well can you see what you're doing. Do I need a step stool or do I climb into the engine bay.... WHAT?
The video doesn't show this and it's the whole reason I watched it. UGH!
Looks like a real pain in the ass...lol
You should try changing out the AC compressor, you have to practically tear the engine apart, and you have to UNBOLT THE ENGINE itself from the frame so you can lift the engine enough to give you room to remove the compressor. Modern car Engine compartment design sucks!
John Norris Damn....I could't imagine......Ive got a 98 Windstar 3.8....Everytime it goes to the shop its expensive to work on.....Like you said...How hard it is to get to evetything....I just dropped $600 into the front end and its still making noise when i go over bumps or turn the steering wheel.....It only has 114k on t....Hoping the a/c compressor doesnt go out...haha....I just spent $200 getting the rear a/c fixed.....
chess1458 you thank
I hope this guy will procure some power tools. Watching this video is like SLOW MOTION. I was going to send this video to my nephew so he could see how it's done, but this looks like it is a lot more time consuming than just removing the engine cover on the inside of the vehicle, like I do which is a lot easier than this crapolla.
Maybe I should start making video's I've got real tools and a real video camera.
wtf is a whoapper arm???
it is the arm that performs the Whooping.
Not bad, but there is an easier way to it. My mechanic put the van on the lift and changed the rear spark plugs from underneath. No need to take the wipers/cowling off.
RMasters2007 great!
I have been doing it the hard way by first removing the bonnet, wipers and others
What you Did Not Show and explain was exactly HOW you removed the plugs after tearing down half the friggin engine! Size of ratchet, approach, etc. Even after the tear down it's not simple to get the angle on removing the plugs. That would have saved a heck of a lot of time and frustration. You just skipped to doing spark plug gap???? And only needed to see that once!
Bella Jones. lmfao that's funny
This is shit!
A real fucking punishment!
I have been doing this for some times now by first removing the bonnet, wipers and others
Hello 99-02 windstar owners. the following years are all the same. never remove all this stuff like they are showing to remove rear plugs. thats insane!. put the vehicle up on ramps. get them out from under the van.
Jim Prahst how easy will it be by removing the spark plug from behind?
Dude why do you keep saying whopper instead of WIPER!!?
It would be great if you guys didnt make a real time video showing every single twist for every bolt. for example you could just pull the bolt and is obvious that you untwisted before. that way you save like 45 minutes of boring video. :P