Need to know spark plug gap

Tiny
DEBID12
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 300,000 MILES
I would like to know what the spark plug gap would be on my 3.6 litre engine.
I'm going to change them but, need to know gap to reinstall.
1998 ford windstar
Friday, January 27th, 2012 AT 10:58 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Our reference shows a 3.0 and a 3.8.
Gap for the 3.0 is .042 - .046
Gap for the 3.8 is .052 - .056

Here is a guide to help you install the spark plugs correctly.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-spark-plugs

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

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Friday, January 27th, 2012 AT 11:02 PM
Tiny
MISSKYGRL27
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 3.8L
Where are the plugs 5 and 6 located and how do I change them?
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hello,

Spark plug # 5 and 6 are the last two on the drivers side. Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-spark-plugs

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNIS FONTENOT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
I have a 96 windstar and it has a engine service light coming up with a P0301 misfire code I am trying to change the sparkplugs the three in the front are easy but the three between the fire wall and the engine can't see how to get at them.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FLEXY5
  • MECHANIC
  • 512 POSTS
There are two methods to the madness. 1st: you can attempt to reach them from underneath (I rather hate that method and therefor have never used it). 2nd: remove the windshield wipers and the wiper assembly cover. Underneath the cowel you will find a tray that holds the wiper transmission. Unplug the wiper motor and unbolt the tray. There are a total of five bolts holding the tray and three holding the vents. Remove all of these and lift out the tray. You can then get to the #1 plug from the passenger side and #2 and 3 from the drivers side. You may also want to remove the main intake tube to give yourself more room. It sounds like a lot, but you can remove it all in under ten minutes. It then doesn't cause near as much frustration.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNIS FONTENOT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hey thanks for helping me with getting at the plugs that worked great, but I still have a P0301 misfire error code any Ideas what normally causes that code to pop up I checked the resistence on the fuel injecters all about the same, did not see any vacuum leaks? Thanks again for your help!
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FLEXY5
  • MECHANIC
  • 512 POSTS
You may try tapping on the fuel injector. Sometimes they have trouble sticking.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STOCKMAB
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 FORD WINDSTAR
Engine Mechanical problem
1995 Ford Windstar 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I have all the spark plugs out and turn motor over with key. And one of the cylinders fill up with gas and runs on ground it is alot of gas. I have replaced the Injector for that cylinder and and that did not fix it. What can causes this Thank Bobby.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

I would have all the injectors tested and or serviced, also check the fuel rail pressure. Do this first.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STOCKMAB
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi Mark thanks for your response. I checked the fuel pressure it's good And I replaced all the injectors. Did not take care of the problem. I have the intake plenum off and when I turn the key on I can see fuel filling up around the valve of the number 3 cylinder. Is it possible the driver in the PCM is bad if so how do you test it. Or do you have any more suggestions. Thanks Bobby.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

What I would do next is try and isolate where the fuel is coming from, clean it up and disconnect all injector connectors and see if you get fuel welling again, if not repeat with one injector connected at a time. See how you go.

I will check out the injection system in the data base and see if I can cone up with something more to go on.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GODSEND
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD WINDSTAR
Engine Performance problem
1996 Ford Windstar 6 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 220000 miles

I have TWO Ford vehicles. I was blessed to say the least to come into two Ford vehicles BOTH with problems.

My car is also a 96 Contour GL, and since the day I bought it I have had the check engine light on. The same goes with my 96 Winstar.

The car shakes, and I do not get much power when taking off at a stop or going up a hill. Every now and then the check engine light flashes and the code they say has soemthing to do with the EGR system. The O/D light flashes once I am driving steadily expecially when I get onto the highway. This is not mentioning how ungodly expensive the parts are. Let alone the spark plugs in this car! Sometimes I can get a whiff of plastic/rubber burning and it freaks me out to say the least. When I first bought it, I had to get the rear axles replaced bcos they were literally TWISTED!

The van is making a really horrible and un natural sound when I try to start it, almost like there is soemthing caught in the starter, this noise and the white smoke just started last week, but the engine light comes on and flashes, and sometimes goes out completley for days. White colored smoke comes out the exhaust now, and the person who gave it to me said it is famous for having to replace the spark plugs. I have an anti freeze leak, and that has been like that since I have had it, and the old owner says they had to keep putting the gunk stuff in since they were always paying to get these things repaired! There is a piece on the engine having to do with the oxygen flow that the engine apparently keep sburning off?

I need a miracle.I dont think I could in good conscience sell these pieces of crap like they are! I need to sell them, but I know I won't get much for them, and until then I need vehicles to drive myself!

HELP!
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WINDSTAR96
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hello, my guess is your van is having same problem I recently had on my own Windstar 1996; which is water getting to the Cylinder Head chamber, you can tell by checking the oil, if it looks like creamy then certainly there is water mixed with oil, my suggestion, better don't run your van until it is fixed, your CH will need to be checked for no futher damage. According to my mechanic the problem started because the water thermostat was installed backwords (I bought my van used) causing overheat and getting a gasket blown.
Hope this help you.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FVIET
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD WINDSTAR
Hello
My van has been having Check engine light on, I took it to the parts store to get the trouble code read, I got P1537, P1538 intake manifold runner control open bank 1 and bank 2 I also got P0303 cyl #3 misfire detected. So I changed spark plugs and spark plug wires, checked coil pack everything looks good and I still have the same trouble codes. The problem with the van is when I back up or going forward at very slow speed like slowing down in parking lot or to a stop sign it would quit and at slow speed it seems missing or a bit jerky, put it back
to neutral start it and rev it up then it goes again and again at slow speed it would stop once in awhile.
Thank you for helping
Ford 97 Windstar 3.8l
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALDO
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I'm not a mechanic but I had a similar problem and I found a faulty iddle control. Anyway it is always cheaper and wiser checking first the simple things. I would check the air filter first. I hope this help you.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKEGSXR1127
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 98 and twice when it came time to smog and the van would die at low idle it was a vac leak to the pcv vavle
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)

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