I would like to change the spark plugs on my 98 explorer with the 4.0 sohc engine the problem is that I can't seem to find a access point to get to the passenger side plug that is close to the fire wall. I was wondering if anybody has done this and how they got to that plug. Thank You for any help.
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Remove the right wheel and splashguard.
Roy
I copied and pasted what I wrote a couple of months ago after changing mine out:
I just changed out the plugs on my 99 XLT and here is what I came up with on how to get out each plug on the passengers side:
Remove the inner fender skirt by popping off fasteners.You don't really need to remove the tire. Just turn it to the left when getting out the rear plug then turn it to the right when taking out the middle and front plug. It's a lot safer to work with the tire on the truck. At 100K miles, those plugs are really stuck in there. Spray them with some liquid wrench or WD-40 and let it sit for a while. You don't need any swivel ratchets. And plus I used a regular 5/8" deep socket, not a regular spark plug socket with the boot inside. I found out that removing that type of socket from the spark plug after you tighten it is hard to get out because the plugs are hard to get at with not much space to remove the socket. You could also remove the boot from the spark plug socket to eliminate this problem.
Rear plug: When I tried to remove this plug with just a 5/8" spark plug wrench and a 3/8" drive ratchet, it did not budge. Then I used a
1/2" breaker bar with a conventional 5/8" deep socket. This will give you enough leverage and torque to loosen the plug. Plus the way the breaker bar can swivel also helps. Once you get it loose, you can go back to the conventional ratchet.Middle Plug: You have the transmission dipstick tube in the way. The best way to get it is to put the ratchet (with or without an small extension,can't remember) between the exhaust manifold and the dipstick tube. If you can't get it loose, get out the breaker bar again. Then go back to the regular ratchet, but be careful. As you loosen the spark plug, the ratchet will start to hit the A/C evaporator box, so at a point you will have to remove the ratchet and loosen the plug by hand, which is a pain because your hand will pretty much be scraping on the evaporator box, but don't be discouraged, you will get it out.
Front plug: Same thing. If it does not come loose with a regular ratchet, use the breaker bar.
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