Hi Folks-

Can anyone tell me how I can get the two spark plugs out of the engine that are on the passenger side in the back?
This is an 01 Ford Ranger with the 4.0L V6 SOHC engine.

The heater box and a bunch of hoses and other things are in the way.
I can't fit my hands in there to get to the back two plugs on the passenger side cylinder bank.

The driver's side bank of cylinders is OK, as is the passenger side front spark plug. I was able to change those.

I'm not sure what to do.
Thanks.

Second question:
The engine is surging at idle only. It runs fine above idle.
(This is the reason I'm replacing the spark plugs.)
But at idle, it has a very rapid pulsating idle. Like it tries to idle at maybe 450 rpm, but it has this very quick repeating surge to it.
I've replaced 4 of the spark plugs, but it still runs like this.

I checked the computer readout.
No comupter codes.

At idle, though, it says that the throttle position sensor reading is 18.
18 what? Degrees?
Should it be 18?
I thought at idle, it would read 0 or 1 or something like that.

What else could cause this surging idle situation?
A bad Mass Air Flow sensor?

Thanks for any ideas or thoughts.

 

The two plugs you're refering to are gotten thru the wheel well. Remove the R/F tire and there they are. My 97 and 00 Explorer sports with the SOHC also had a minute surge while idling. It never affected the operation of the engine, so I left them alone. You could try cleaning the MAF sensor. Injectors cleaned lately? Dribbling instead of good spraying injecters can also causing surging.

 

Thanks so much for the tips.
I will try it this way.
It makes sense. I don't know how else you'd get in there to do this.

What do I clean the MAF sensor with, just use a little can of compressed air (like you use for computer keyboards) or something like that?

I assume you don't want to use liquid or a brush on a sensor like that.

 

CRC makes a cleaner for MAF sensors. This is normally caried by Auto Zone. Pep Boys and such. Have resolved may CEL and drivability issues with its use.