coil replacement tips

[taurusman97]

Good morning. Purchased a 2001 LS6 last month with 118000miles, very smooth and strong. car threw a #2 misfire this weekend, idleled a little rough. check for valve cover leakage and found the wells to be nice and dry. ordered new coils this morning and will change plugs at the same time. my Ford manual indicates that the coolant must be drained, is this necessary? can I simply plug the coolant lines to the throttle body? Does anyone have any tips that would either make the job easier or faster? Thanks in advance!!

 

[gcwimmer]

On top of the page is TECH ARTICLES, go down on the left to LS, there are articles on both changing coils and spark plugs.

 

[JWerner2]

Have you checked all the plug wells?
I ask only cause I have seen posts in threads that state you could get the wrong number coil. If it is bone dry it may be a different coil that needs the replacement.

Edit: Reading your post a second time it seems as if you did check all of them and could be replacing them all.


Good luck and read that article!

 

[taurusman97]

I was able to check #3 through #6 spark plug wells. just seems as if you are going to go through the trouble of removing the upper manifold, too also replace all coils and plugs. I have a Ford service manual, just asking the members that have done this repair for advice to make it either easier, faster, or complete.

 

[milehighmikey]

Get a new PCV valve and hose, you can only change them with all of the manifold and fuel injector package off.

Go ahead and plug your coolant lines at the end of the hoses where they come off the throttle body, most definitely. I used bolts for mine, 5/16" longer bolts without thread all the way to the head, allows for a clean seal while it's apart.

Watch the bolts for the shock tower brace, you have 2 on each side and three in the middle of the firewall. They have a tendency to shear off from corrosion, if you live in a salt belt (for winter precip) area. Be prepared to drill out the old bolts and tap threads for new ones. Don't put it back together without all 7 bolts firmly in place.

You may also need to remove the harness hold downs on the body near the pass side rear of the cylinder head, to allow better manipulation of the connectors that you have to undo. That large 20-pin (approx) connector can be a real biotch to get apart and can drain some serious time off your hands while you "richard" with it.

Use a quality torque wrench for the plenum bolts, they only require a small amount of torque and you could easily over-tighten them.

After you do this, if it has never been done to that car, you should see increased low-rpm torque and 1-2 mpg better fuel economy for a while.

Enjoy your V6!

 

[jiggajatt]

easy to do bro good luck!

 

[taurusman97]

is the PCV hose a dealer item? my experience with this type of part is that it cannot be bought at Autozone. Is it common not to have the shock tower brace? my car looks as if it never had it.

 

[milehighmikey]

Hose is dealer item, at around $24.

The brace is hidden by the cowling that covers the wipers mechanism. Very stealth.

 

[gcwimmer]

Use OEM PCV hose, the auto parts store are for the most part lesser quality if you can find them.

All LS have a brace that runs at the top of the fire wall just under the cowl. A brace that runs from the shock tower would have to be custom made.


milehighmikey is faster on the draw.......this time.

 

[taurusman97]

thanks for all the good advice!!