[Kasey]

I just bought a 2000 GT with 152000 miles on it. When driving by a large flat builing I can hear a tapping sound echo off the wall. I pull over and let it idle and I can hear it seemingly through the wheel well. It's not a low frevency tap, so much as it is a tick (somewhere arbitrarily in between). I've put the 'ol screwdriver to the ear on both valve covers, the intake and both fuel rails. The sound doesn't seem to be coming from there (can't hear it all). Are these models known for exhaust leaks? I intend to get her to the shop for a close inspection for a whole host of issues (I just bought it).

The old girl needs a little TLC but is in overall great condition. She drives straight as an arrow, responds to readily steering input, body is straight, paint is grat, no modifications, and has a "lord have mercy" amount of power left. That's compared to my Grand Caravan and late 4.3L S10. I think with proper care she'll go another 150K. Then maybe my boy can have her. Maybe...

 

[Kasey]

Update. The sound was coming from a passenger side spark plug, second one from front (i don't even know cylinder numbers yet). I started if to leave work and it began popping (back fire type noise). I popped the the hood and cauld see the coil pack popping back and forth. Luckily I work in the oil fields and I worked with the mechanics. We got the plug out by simply lifting the coil pack out. Plug came out and all, it wasn't in the threads of the head. The head threads were just a little boogered up and the plug wouldn't go back in easily. We found a 14mm x 20 tap and retapped without effort. The plug went back in easily, the sound went away and I drove it off (owing beers to these guys of course). About 1 mike away it seems the sound has returned.

Are these engines known for impacting plugs in certain conditions? All I can think of is a rod bolt being stretched or broken allowing some extra travel. I'm at a loss. Taking it to the shop tomorrow to have the whole car looked over.

 

[Kasey]

Son of grrrr... I wish I would have known to look for this issue. Before I bought. It looks like someone burned all of these spark plugs down into the heads. They are all the wrong stink ing plug. Mother Love Bone... So angry. $1200 for all 8 to get repaired (Time Sert). I called all over town. That's the going rate it seems. 2 hrs a hole plus new plugs. Burnt.

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[stang2003NY]

Yea these motors are very sensitive to plugs, torque and correct plug.

The newer Motorcraft plugs have more threads on them and are the ones you should be using. A torque wrench is a must when installing plugs in the 4.6l motor. Do it cold, blow out the cavity with compressed air before removing the plug and take your time. Do NOT over torque but don't under torque either as you will probably experience a plug blowing out of the hole.
A little Never Seize on the threads (yea I know it skews the torque setting a little) and start the plug with nothing but a small rubber hose attached to the nipple. Once started in the threads, CAREFULLY use your socket with extension and your HAND. NO RATCHET yet.
If you encounter force, reverse (counter clockwise), back out a little and then go clockwise a little again. NEVER FORCE!
When bottomed, use your torque wrench to torque to proper value and move on to the next one.

Just my 2 cents!

P.S I once had a dealership cross thread every single plug in my 1987 Camaro Z28. Fortunately I saved the receipt......... Learn to do the work yourself and enlist your local Mustang club for help if you need guidance.

 

[Kasey]

I'm feeling better. The shop said that only 3 of the threads were gaulded. They're going to make the repairs and it should be done by Monday. Let us hope they don't screw it up. I don't know what I'll do then.

As far as changing plugs go, that's good advice. I planned on doing it all myself, until this happened. At this piont I have to pay someone to change the plugs. I don't have time to tinker on this car. I bought becuase I need a daily driver. When it started it purred, the engine didn't shake, the exhaust had a nice even tone, it revved withought any shake or shimmy to it. I thought, "man these modulars run smooooz". When I drove off it accelerated nicely and pinned me back in my seat a little (not like my friends Skyline GTR, but it felt similar). I'm hoping this thing turns into a good DD. I'm not wanting to mod it or hot rod it. I just want it to deliver the reliability, fuel mileage, safety and a little fun here and there. I drive up a windy hill with oncoming crane trucks and following gang trucks. I need something that's not a coffin, can accelerate up hill, handle the turns and avoid the various oil field debris.

I got hit by a 7 foot kelly bar extension flying from the bed of a crane truck once.

 

[crazycrave]

No way i would spend $1200 to repair them as new heads would be in order for that kind of money..

 

[SoCal2V]

Yeah $1200 to Timesert 3 plug holes is a bit steep, considering the kit costs about $300 and the work could probably be done in an hour. But, if you don't have the time to fudge with it then they got you by the balls I guess.

 

[stang2003NY]

Glad it's working out for you!

 

[Kasey]

Yeah $1200 to Timesert 3 plug holes is a bit steep, considering the kit costs about $300 and the work could probably be done in an hour. But, if you don't have the time to fudge with it then they got you by the balls I guess.

The $1200 dollar quote is for all 8 holes at a 2 hour per hole shop rate (that seems to be the going time on this job) plus the parts. Essentially it's $150 per hole. I should be out the door for less than $700 which includes the time to diagnose this all new plugs, new fuel filter and what not. That leaves me with enough cash to have the transmission serviced, the registration done and the California smog doone on it.

I have 4 kids, two with autism, so my gear head days are behind me. I just need a car that performs like my previous post stated. Plus I felt so good driving that car through town. Does anyone else try to find a reason to go do something around town just to drive their car, or is that the newness of having one of these things? Time will tell I guess.

 

[FishSkier]

... Plus I felt so good driving that car through town. Does anyone else try to find a reason to go do something around town just to drive their car, or is that the newness of having one of these things? Time will tell I guess.

Nope, I miss just taking mine for a drive even if I had nowhere to go!

It's sitting in the garage now because of a knocking noise. It turned out a crank bearing got spun and worn down causing the piston to slap the head. Hopefully yours gets fixed easily though.

 

[Kasey]

What's that smell? Smells like burning latex and vaseline. I'm out a grand but the car is running. So far so good. Let her warm up and gave it a good listen through the wheel well and under the hood. That really cut into my budget for getting this thing road worthy. When he quoted me $200 and change to do the wheel bearing I figured my sweet gingery hiney had enough. I guess I'll take these easier repairs from here. I can replace suspension components and wheel bearings myself. I figure for the prices he's charging I can retool my shed and save in the long run. :banghead:

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