Three things: 1) The Ford Service Manual recommends blowing out the area around the coils with compressed air, before removing them. To keep any debris from falling into the cylinder when the plugs are removed. Or from falling into the top of the engine when the coils are removed. 2) When tightening the plug, Ford recommends using 9 FOOT-lbs torque. It's good to use a torque wrench for this, because terms like "just hand tight" and "barely tight" are kind of vague, and subject to individual judgement. A strong person can easily overtighten and strip threads. Conversely, you may not get them tight enough. And they can get loose and start leaking. Also a bad thing, that won't be noticed for a long time. These are tapered plugs (not gasketed). And the sealing depends on how much they are screwed into the cylinder head. 3) Ford recommends a dab of silicone grease spread around inside the boot before putting the coils back on the plug. (For better sealing, electrical insulation, and prevent future sticking). 4) Ford recommends 89 INCH- lbs. for the coil retaining bolt. Again for the same reasons as the plugs. These are small bolts and they can easily be twisted or strip threads. Torque wrenches are a good investment. Especially with today's aluminum alloy engines, where bolt torques are critical.

Just a note on the spark plugs I bought that are in this video. They did not work well and had multiple misfires causing my check engine light to go on. I no longer recommend the Bostch 4 prong plugs. I went back to the cheap $2 Autolite copper plugs and my car works great. Just a note in case you are trying to decide on a spark plug to buy for your Focus.

Thank you so much for the video! The guy I just took my car to quoted me $170 to change my spark plugs. I'm going to do it myself thanks to your instructions!

great video easy to follow and straightfoward thanks a bunch i saved money and feel great doing my own work, best wishes have a great day

Coils are $131 Canadian each for an aftermarket part. As for replacing them, it's just as simple as replacing the plug, but the cost prohibits changing them unless they're no longer working. Three out of four are still are original after 268,000 km. My serpentine belt looks to be in good condition. I checked that out after buying a Hayes manual. Once you post that video I'll check that out too.

I have been lucky enough to figure out what happened and was able to avoid changing out any coils. Those suckers are expensive. Anyway thanks for the comment and I will be posting a video on changing out the Serpentine Belt soon. If there is anything else you need to see a video on let me know and I will try to get one out if my car needs it.

Thanks! Really Helpful!

great video man thank you.

Very helpful. Thank you.

Got to use antiseize on the threads on the new plugs when the head or heads are aluminum. Steel and aluminum don't get along and antiseize helps out the relationship.

After the plug is lose use a piece of 3/8 rubber hose and push it down over the plug and it comes right out and put the hose onthe new one and put it in the hole to realign it and screw it in and pull the hose off and tighten it down with the socket it is alot easier then trying to fish it out with a pair of pliers

I am now at 206,000 miles on is. These are bulletproof motors when taken care of properly. I just do oil, plugs, and other fluids and she is purring along for my commute.

how often should you change sparkplugs and how do you know what the gap in the new one should be, also what do sparkplugs do thank you for this video i like everyone else thought bugger that price im sure i can do it myself, it really annoys me how much they charge people for jobs that can be done yourself if you take the time needed to do them

Hello, thanks for your time in the video. Not sure exactly what happened but im running a 1998 Ford escort VII Zetec 1.8 16v. Pulled one plug and the whole plug was covered in oil. Never seen this in my life. Suggestions?!

Justin, I was wondering why you did not put anti-seize on the threads of the spark plug?

First, I posted this video to save some people money which includes not buying a spark plug socket. Most people who use this video will have a deep well socket and a pair of pliers handy to get the job done. Second are you a professional mechanic? I would love to hear of your qualifications that you may or not have to be such a jerk on my video. I will also be happy to let you know of mine as well if you are so inclined.

If I remember correctly, I had a similar problem with my 06 ZX4 ST (2.3L). I've got 268 KM on mine. Recently started having problems with misfiring - seems to be intermittent. Last year (about 60,000km ago) I blew one of the 4prong plugs and had to change a coil as well. Have you had to change any of your coils?

hi justin i bought a used focus and noticed in your video in the engine just an inch to the left of the engine oil cap to the left a connector of the harness that appears to be grounded can u tell me if iam correct because in my car that conector its open wide free and i have months trying to figure out where that connection goes any help would be greatly appreciated

You may want to clean the debris from the top of the motor prior to doing this. You want to avoid dropping dirt down into the plug hole when changing. Thanks for the video.

The Bosch platinum fusion plugs do not need to be gapped for the focus anyways

Hi Justin, thanks for the vid. Im assuming you dont need to undo the battery terminal to proceed further when changing the spark plugs. Many Thanks

There is no proven effect on putting antiseize on the threads so far. It can be done but I never have. It does cause threads to shear in the blocks sometimes when loosening to change. Then it costs more to helicoil the engine block.

That was hilarious he called the coil a distributor cap LMFAO

Do I need 4 spark plugs for my Focus? Or just two?

I'm sure you've already done this but you might want to add coolant

I changed mine at 100,000 about 8 years ago. I'm at 180,000 now and was thinking about doing them again. but should I just wait until I hit 200,000 miles? car is running great. getting 40MPG right now in the summer doing mostly highway driving.

But why are you using long nose pliers to get the plugs out...you're meant to use a spark plug socket so that you can't drop the plugs...

Justin Schoendube PLEASE, PLEASE, HELP!!!!!!!!! If you pause this video @4:01 you will see a rubber cap to the right of the spark plug hole. What is the name of that rubber cap. Mine popped yesterday and it sounds like air is escaping from my engine. Thank you in advance for any replies. HELP, My car sounds like a friggin go kart!

okee dokee... I'm headed out to do my plugs right now... I'm a little nervous, but when you're single and poor... sometimes ya gotta grab the bull by the b***s and squeeze em like they're yours...

if that motor only has 194,000 miles on it it's got a lot of life left in it.

Are you related to Bill Murray? 😆

Water entering the plug cavity can cause rusting around the plugs. Why Ford decided not to put a cover over this type of engine was a really bad idea. Snap a plug off and you will be facing a£500 bill to repair the fault.Come on Ford (can do better).