OEM 2000 Ford Ranger Spark Plug

2000 Ford Ranger Spark Plug Parts Q&A

• Q: How to inspect a spark plug for an abridged gap and identify potential issues on 2000 Ford Ranger?

  A: Examine the spark plug for a damaged gap by inspecting the electrodes for formation of deposits that press the gap shut due to oil or carbon fouling. Perform cleaning of the spark plug if needed. The presence of wet black deposits on bore electrodes of the insulator shell indicates excessive oil entry into the chamber through defective rings and pistons or high guide-to-valve clearance or worn or loose bearings. Fix all oil-related issues before a new spark plug installation. Black dry fluffy carbon deposits on insulator tips exposed shell surfaces and electrodes warn about incorrect heat range along with a dirty air cleaner and rich fuel mixture and too much idling; cleaning the spark plug becomes necessary when these conditions exist. A properly burning spark plug produces light tan or gray residues which should appear on the firing tip. Spark plug checks should feature evaluations of melted electrodes and damaged insulators with metallic deposits that point to engine damage due to incorrect ignition timing and fuel type selection or heli-coil thread insert replacements requiring a new spark plug installation. The inspection of overheating shows itself through electrodes displaying white or light gray spots and a bluish-burnt appearance and the primary causes include engine overheating and using incorrect fuel types and loose spark plugs and spark plugs with the wrong heat range and low fuel pump pressure and incorrect ignition timing. New spark plugs must be installed when necessary. The presence of fused deposits leads to spark plug updating since these deposits appear as bubble-like or blister-shaped melted areas that usually form during fast accelerations.