[Action_B]

You read the title. I bought the motorcraft plugs for the escort ZX2. Put them into the car and now it runs like crap. WHY?!

The old plugs were really bad I can't imagine these would function worse. I hope I didn't mess something up.

 

[madmatt2024]

I have never heard of "motorsport plugs" what are they? Make sure all the plug wires are firmly seated on the plugs and the coil and that they are connected in the correct order to the coil.

 

[Action_B]

I have never heard of "motorsport plugs" what are they? Make sure all the plug wires are firmly seated on the plugs and the coil and that they are connected in the correct order to the coil.

Sorry I was ticked off. Here is the full story.

The plugs in the car appeared really old and were hard to get out. Eventually I got them out with a bit of PB blaster and effort. The old plugs looked pretty crappy but the car was running VERY STRONG. I was just changing them because I like to do maintenance on all cars that I purchase.

I bought MOTORCRAFT plugs from advanced and put them in. Car runs really terrible now and seems like its missing. I was very careful to make sure to do one and a time and press the ignition wires back into place fully.

Still it runs badly. I feel bad about my girlfriends car please help.

 

[Action_B]

I think the car had original plugs and wires from the factory. Perhaps moving around and pulling on the wires has caused an issue with the spark plug wires? Just throwing out a suggestion?

 

[madmatt2024]

Its probably the wires then. I would replace them and if it still runs bad then one of the new plugs is a dud.

 

[Action_B]

Its probably the wires then. I would replace them and if it still runs bad then one of the new plugs is a dud.

I hope its that simple. The wires don't look like they are arcing or anything. I'm not sure what to think of this.

 

[pextor]

a. try putting the original plugs back in, see if it runs any better.

b. replace the wires. this is more likely your issue.

if you want to see something really neat, start the car at night with the hood open and watch all the arcs from the wires to the valve cover. then you'll know your wires are bad.

 

[Action_B]

a. try putting the original plugs back in, see if it runs any better.

b. replace the wires. this is more likely your issue.

if you want to see something really neat, start the car at night with the hood open and watch all the arcs from the wires to the valve cover. then you'll know your wires are bad.

The wires are very old in appearance. This certainly could be an issue. As for the old plugs, they look pretty bad I'd have to clean them up a bit first.

I really hope I can resolve this today. It was running damn fine before I tried to give this car a little love.

 

[EscorGo]

I have seen similar problems when the plug ends of the wires weren't pushed on hard enough to get the metal clip properly onto the sparkplug end.

 

[Action_B]

I have seen similar problems when the plug ends of the wires weren't pushed on hard enough to get the metal clip properly onto the sparkplug end.

I pushed down pretty hard on them I'll try it again though.

I have some frustration because I've never had an issue changing spark plugs. I've changed plugs I'm sure 20 times in my life.

 

[Action_B]

Just used a multimeter and checked resistance on the ignition wires. They seem okay, should I still change them?

 

[fireguy]

May sound dumb, but did you gap the spark plugs? Some brands claim they come pre-gapped, but you should always recheck them yourself. The tool is like a dollar. Our gap is .0052 or .052, whichever one makes more sense.

 

[Action_B]

Alright, problem solved. I went to advance auto and purchased some new spark plug wires.

Popped them on and now the car runs perfect again. I guess moving them around caused a problem even though the resistance was fine. I guess they were arcing or something but I couldn't see it even at night. Either way, all is well now and the car runs strong again!

 

[RoadWarrior]

Yup, or they stretched and broke the cores inside while you were pulling them off.