Ford AGSF-22W-MX
Spark Plug

The gap of the spark plug needs inspection to ensure that deposit buildup does not block the electrodes since oil or carbon fouling might be present. Perform cleaning on the spark plug when needed. Assess the spark plug's condition by observing whether oil has fouled its electrodes through black wet deposits while inspecting for excessive oil flow into the combustion chamber triggered by ring/piston wear or valve-guide clearance or worn/broken bearings and resolve any oil leakage before spark plug installation. To identify carbon fouling conduct a visual assessment of black dry carbon flakes on the insulator tips and exposed shell surfaces and electrodes. This measurement happens when the heat range is incorrect or air cleaners need cleaning or fuel mixtures are rich or engines idle excessively. Cleaning the spark plug might be necessary under these conditions. A normal burning spark plug will show its firing tip revealed light tan or gray deposits. Pre-ignition results in melted electrodes as well as damaged insulator destruction and metallic deposits on the insulator that indicate possible engine breakdown from wrong ignition timing or fuel type or unauthorized heli-coil thread installation which requires installing a new spark plug. Check for overheating symptoms that include white or light gray electrode spots along with bluish-burnt appearances because of engine overheating, improper fuel use, loose spark plugs, incorrect heat-range spark plugs, or low fuel pressure or incorrect timing, so replace the plug when overheating appears. The inspection of fused deposits is important because they appear as spotty bubbles or melted formations on the spark plug caused by sudden accelerator actions. If detected you should clean the plug.

Start by removing the ignition coil before extracting the spark plugs while clearing all foreign matter from the wells through compressed air. Scanning the spark plugs shows bridge gaps between electrodes along with deposit collections that prevent electrode contact so clean the spark plug if necessary. An examination of the insulator shell bore electrodes for wet black deposits indicates oil fouling possibly caused by ring and piston wear or valve-to-guide clearance issues or worn loose bearings. Any oil leak issues should be resolved prior to new spark plug installation. Black dry and fluffy carbon deposits on the spark plug tip and shell exterior and electrodes indicate an incorrect heat range, filthy air filters or rich fuel mixture or engine idling for too long. Cleaning these carbon deposits may be required. Normal burning should be checked via inspection of light tan or gray deposits found on the firing tip. Several indicators of pre-ignition exist as melted spark plug electrodes combined with metal buildup on the insulator which needs immediate attention since they point to incorrect ignition timing or fuel type usage or heli-coil installation that requires replacing the spark plug. White or light gray-brown spots combined with a bluish-burnt electrode appearance must be checked because these symptoms indicate possible engine overheating or wrong fuel choice, loose spark plugs, improper heat range, insufficient fuel pump pressure or incorrect ignition timing. Replace the spark plug if overheating is detected. To avoid melted deposits that appear as bubbles and blisters during sudden acceleration perform an inspection followed by spark plug cleaning if necessary. The installment of spark plugs should follow the opposite order of removal while adjusting the plug gap according to specifications.

Adjust the spark plug gap as necessary.

Reverse the removal procedure.

Reverse the removal procedure.

Take out the spark plug and remove any foreign material from the spark plug wells using compressed air.

Tighten them to 34 Nm (25 lb-ft).

Reverse the removal procedure.

Reverse the removal procedure.

They must be installed in the same cylinder from which they were removed.

Proceed to remove the spark plugs and inspect them for any issues.

Use compressed air to clear any debris from the spark plug well.

To install the spark plug, reverse the removal procedure.

Oil or carbon fouling.

Use a slight twisting motion to break the seal, then remove the bolt and the ignition coil.