Changing spark plugs

Tiny
RAGGAEMON
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 MERCURY SABLE
I have a 2002 Mercury Sable LS with 74,000 miles, I need to change my spark plugs but I'm not sure how to get to the plugs facing the passenger compartment.
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 9:41 PM

31 Replies

Tiny
REYNOLDS810
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
A spark plug socket 3in ext. and a flex head ratchet for two of them stand on drivers side and reach between the master cyl and engine the last one do from passenger side they are not too bad to do but not easy.

Here is a guide that should help.

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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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
RAGGAEMON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the info, I can see how to change the plugs facing the front of the car but it's the one's facing the passenger compartment were tough but got it done. Thanks for the guide I love this site.
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Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 AT 10:44 PM
Tiny
DJC53187
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 56,000 MILES
I need to change my spark plugs+ignition wires and I am not sure how to do this? The 3 plugs and ignition wires on the backside of the motor are really hard to get to. Do you need to take part of the motor off or what? The reason I am changing them is because whenever I drive up a hill or try to increase my speed show and steady, the car starts hesitating and it feels like a plug is misfiring or it is not getting enough gas. Then it goes away if I step on the excelerator pretty good.
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Yes you need to remove the upper plastic intake off

to gain access to the spark plugs
also check the coil too
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GINO46
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
I want to know what I have to remove to change the rear 3 sparkplugs on a 24 valva dual overhead cam engine
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FAIRRACING31
  • MECHANIC
  • 150 POSTS
You can get to them by removing the coil pack, but unless you got the hands of a five year old it will be tuff. The fastest and easiest way is to remove the plentum. Consider replacing the plug wires at this time!
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGBOY76
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 MERCURY SABLE
If the same sparkplugs that went bad before went bad again after being replaced what would cause that?
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Possible. Need to re-scan it and pull the plugs and look. Most likely the rear were bad due to lazy, they are harder to change than the front. See if you get any new codes out of it
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LUNDY76
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
My 2001 Mercurry Sable has been having a issue lately. I run the car for a little while then the car begins to shake and the check engine light flashes. I changed the spark plugs and spark plug wires and it helped for half of the day and it has started again. Anyone know what could be the cause of this issue
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine management system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis, finding out what's going on.
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DHAYCOCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,300 MILES
I need to take my air intake manifold off and I took out 6 screws but there is something hanging up and it won't come off, I don't want to ruin anything. Can you help me
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAMERONY670
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
My mercury sable is not starting. Engine turns over, but no spark. I have changed the ignition coil, ignition control module, distributor head, and most recently the pickup coil inside the distributor. I have had the starter checked and replaced spark plugs. But I believe the only issue is that no spark is leaving the ignition coil when I'm turning the key. I test 12v on the ignition coil tower when the car is on, so it is getting power. I am thinking it could be some bad wiring from the pickup coil to the ignition coil but I don't know where to start. Please help! Thanks.
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Did you replace the crank sensor?
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CDNDRY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
Sounds like it has a miss replaced spark plugs ran smooth then it started to miss again. Itll run smooth at a light some times then other times it run rough and when I steep on the gas while driveing it will stumple but when driveing on the highway it runs fine as long as I dont step on it. Could it be a bad wire and if so hould I check to see which wier it is thank you for any help you can be
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do you have a check engine light?

Check the fuel pressure/idle air control valve/TPS/MAF/MAP sensors-

Misfires can be caused by worn or fouled spark plugs, a weak spark (weak coil, bad spark plug wire), loss of compression, vacuum leaks, anything that causes an unusually lean fuel mixture (lean misfire), an EGR valve that is stuck open, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, or even bad fuel.
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOUG MORLAND
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • MERCURY SABLE
Just bought a 1998 Mercury Sable LS: v6 Durotec, 3.0l, 111km. I want to change the plugs (which I've already bought) and I see the front 3 plugs. Where are they hiding the rear 3 plugs and how on Earth do I get at them?
My first question here, thank you.
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
They are between the firwall and the opposite side from the front! Reach around and use your plug socket!
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOUG MORLAND
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks, I figured that part out. I'm not sure if your intent was meant to be sarcastic or something?

I HAVE tried "reaching around", looking around, trying a mirror, even up from underneath and I did get a practical solution from someone who said to undo the R. Cowl Screen, R. Cowl and the ignition coil. I'm reluctant to try that as there seem to be a lot of connections that I'm afraid to disturb without me really knowing a lot about the whole thing. It's amazing how difficult it seems to be to make an attempt to do these repairs by yourself?
Any other ideas out there?
Thanks again. Doug M.
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
All I can tell you now is it IS possible! Follow the plug wires, that are tucked in a conduit that guides them around. Take the air plenum off for more access!
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FAIRRACING31
  • MECHANIC
  • 150 POSTS
Doug, you can reach your plugs by removing the coil pack, but even then it's a very tight fit.I find it just as easy and quick to remove the plentum as Merlin says and gives you plenty of room. If you do remove the plentum, you might consider to replace your plug wires if they are original. It really sucks to do all that work and then a month later have a plug wire go bad.
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Monday, November 26th, 2018 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)

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