OEM 2005 Ford Ranger Spark Plug

2005 Ford Ranger Spark Plug Parts Q&A

• Q: How to inspect a spark plug for issues such as bridged gaps, deposit buildup, oil or carbon fouling, and signs of overheating on 2005 Ford Ranger?

  A: Determine if a bridge exists between spark plug electrodes while examining the plug to detect build-up that restricts the electrode gap because of oil and carbon contamination. The presence of deposits requires spark plug cleaning procedure. Oil fouling appears as wet black deposits on the insulator shell bore electrodes which results from excessive oil entering the combustion chamber because of worn rings, pistons or excessive valve-to-guide clearance or worn or loose bearings. Address these oil leak concerns before replacing the spark plug. Black flaky carbon deposits on insulator tips and shell surfaces together with electrodes indicate improper heat range setting or a soiled air cleaner or excessively idled engine or incorrect fuel mixture; proper cleaning will remove the carbon deposits. A normal spark plug firing condition presents itself through tiny strips of light tan or gray substances found on the firing tip region. Engine damage through preignition becomes evident when electrodes show melting and the insulator demonstrates damage while metal deposits highlight the potential issues stemming from incorrect timing or wrong fuel along with unauthorized Heli-coil usage in spark plug threads thus requiring new spark plug installation. Check for overheating indications through white or light gray spots and bluish-burnt electrodes because these symptoms occur when the engine overheats with wrong fuel or loose spark plugs or inappropriate heat-range spark plugs or insufficient fuel pressure or improper timing. Installation of a new spark plug becomes necessary. If fused deposits appear as melted or blistery bubbles on the spark plug surface then cleaning or replacing the plug may be necessary.