Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Water in plugs

Still not worked out how to add a photo in a message so will post one of what I did in the Gallery

Hi Colin, what are the issues with coil packs and Iridium plugs?

Also what is a good engine service book for the Ford Sigma in a 2011 4/4 ?

Sorry for the semi thread drift .

Not really drift.....;-)

OK, Ford wanted to extend service intervals when costs of service were included in the J D Powers cost of ownership surveys became relevant (they owned us, Volvo, at that time and we went through the same). They extended the plug service interval to 60K miles and to do this started fitting Iridium tipped plugs set at 1.3mm plug gaps. There never was much of an issue with the plugs but coil packs started burning out (think back to Ford Focus/Mondeo issues of the day). This was traced back to the following scenario, whilst the plugs were lasting 60K the gaps were increasing but not by much, however plug firing voltage (KV's) were significantly increased as the plugs reached higher mileages, this is normal. What is not normal however is how high the KV's reached, higher KV equals heat and the coil packs started overheating and failing.

Ford reduced the plug gaps in a TIB (Technical Information Bulletin-sent out to all dealers and so to us in Dealer Training) to 1.0mm and the problem was greatly improved. Later they sent a 'Red Top' (immediate action required) to all dealers stating that plugs should be changed at 40K miles, they did not mention increasing the gaps again back to 1.3mm?

The problem with coil packs stopped almost overnight for regular service cars, problem sorted. From this the advice we gave out at training (at that time I was responsible for Ford and Volvo training at Daventry) to dealers was its clear a belt and braces would be wise so leave the plugs at 1.0mm and change at 40K miles. Given the way we all over service our cars, and the difference is costs, I have for years (my Morgan and both Tin-Tops) fitted Platinum tipped plugs which are significantly cheaper, set them at 1.0mm (but that may be overkill) and changed them at 20K miles (definitely overkill)....coil packs remain cool.

Not sure about the Sigma service book, don't see it as very different from the Duratec as its just the clever cam gear that's different, I would use the same process as a Duratec so Magnatec 5/30, quality oil filter and NGK spark plugs. never been let down by that lot, there is not a lot else to do on the engine, valves don't need adjustment, fuel and ignition timing is ECU map controlled.....

Cheers Colin, thanks for the explanation and service tips much appreciated as I will be doing my own simple servicing tasks largely as I did with the Elise and am with the Elan. My wife got a four post hoist for her last birthday and I am loving tinkering and working on the cars with it

My pleasure, except I hate you! With worn out knees (1 already replaced) I crave a 4 poster.....don't tell me you have a wheel-free or jacking beam or I will give you duff advice in the future....

Sorry Colin - it'd be lying if I said I did not have a jacking beam too. But if it means I'll still get good advice - nah alas no Jacking beam



If you come to Tassie though you're welcome to use it.

Be careful what you offer...have toolbox will travel

Colin,
That's very interesting, as when I got my car MOT'ed the other day I did mention the wet plug issue. The MOT man said it was a problem in some Ford Fiesta's and Focus's and that often after the plugs have been wet the coil packs fail.


Yes, great aren't they! No more crawling about on the floor.

Cheers
John

Hi John

Given the amount of rust and corrosion on the outer body of the plugs there is clearly a lot of water getting into the plug wells, having them under open louvers is the cause of course and anything that can reduce this can only help.