Actually, I own a 1998 Ford Chateau, which must be the same as an E-150, for tune-up purposes. It has a 5.4L V8 engine. This is a "half-ton" rated vehicle. It has operated wonderfully.
The engine sputters a bit now, noticeably when starting up from a standing stop. It isn't a "flat spot," but almost. The sputter has no rhythm to it. Engine temperature seems to have no relevance. I visited New Mexico one month ago with this vehicle, and the "service engine soon" light still shows on the dashboard. Years ago, when visiting Flagstaff, AZ, the same thing happened. I stayed an extra night in Flagstaff, just so I could visit the Ford Agency the next day, and was told the light was a red herring, caused by high altitude, and of no consequence. Several weeks later, back at sea level, the light finally went out. The car never sputtered in those days.
So I'm still waiting for the light to go out, since my recent drive at
7000-foot altitude in New Mexico.Anyway, the car sputtered as soon as I returned to sea level, and it does so occasionally ever since. (It might have sputtered on the drive back from NM, but I wasn't paying attention.) I changed the air filter, to no avail. I thought I'd change the spark plugs, which have never been changed. The car has about 75K miles on it. The service guide that came with the vehicle calls for a plug change at 100K miles.
I bought a CD that containing a maintenance manual for this vehicle. I found the specs for the plugs. The cylinder heads must be aluminum, because the torque specification is only 9-20 Nm; i.e., 7-14 lb ft. Can anyone corroborate this...is it aluminum?
I have never worked on a van's engine before. I've worked on many other types of vehicles, and I own tools. I have seen the van go up on a rack several times for tires, lube, etc. There is a doghouse inside the cab, which I've never removed. Can anyone advise how I'm supposed to access the spark plugs? This ain't no flat-top 4!!
I should change the PCV valve. The service guide said to do that at 60K miles, and I didn't do that. I wonder where that thing is?
Geez. How does anyone work on this thing?
I'm sure someone who reads this petition has changed the spark plugs and PCV valve in a Club Wagon! Your help is most appreciated.
John B