Great teaching vid! I start the engine before reassembly of wiper parts
though, in case there’s a problem with new plugs and wires… saves having
to disassemble wiper parts again if there’s some problem with the new spark
plugs that needs addressing. I put 3 in 1 oil on the 8 bolt’s threads and
underside of washers to make reinsertion now and removal the next time that
much easier. I also put a light coat of Vaseline on the washer hose nipples
so hose slides on and off easier.
Real-world scenario, doing this in your driveway, the only things I would
note: 1) If you get stuck at Step 1 [pull the wipers off], don’t get
disheartened and think you need a “wiper arm removal tool.” You just need
to close the hood, flip the wipers into their vertical positions, and pull
them straight off. Easier than with the tool anyways.
awesome video thanks for the tip to remove the wiper assembly i was
treading getting to back plugs and wires but now im happy to know i have an
easier way to this !!!
Thanks for your help. That’s a good idea with the plywood. I’ll be giving
that a try one of next few weekends coming. I may video it so I can show
others the positioning.
HELL YEAH! I’ve been hesitant to doing this on my GF’s vsn- but I can’t
have her go spending money she doesn’t have just for spark plugs- I just
had to see it done- so I could realize how easy it is to do- THANKS 2001
Windstar – in dire need of a tune up
It should be noted that dielectric grease is an insulator, not a conductor
and should not be allowed to get between any of the metal surfaces. Its
sole purpose is to prevent water intrusion and keep silicone parts from
bonding to the porcelain of the spark plugs. In other words, WAY too much
silicone grease was used here. It will probably do more harm than good.
2) If you get stuck at Step 3 [disconnect the windshield washer line], my
washer hose certainly didn’t pull off like it shows in the video (is that
not glue residue you see when the tube is pulled out?). After pulling for 5
minutes I found that there is nice soft tubing that comes off the base of
the nozzle itself in one pull, and slips back on just as easy. Aside from
hitting and overcoming those two roadblocks, this was a great little job
that went just like in the video. Thanks again!
From what I’ve been told, it IS hard to see what your doing on the back
three plugs. So you’ll have to replace them more by feel than sight. I lay
right on a small piece of board or plywood on a blanket resting on the top
of the engine. It’s like working on your stomach.
Not bad, but there is an easier way to it. My mechanic put the van on the
lift and changed the rear spark plugs from underneath. No need to take the
wipers/cowling off.
Thanks for the thorough video. Did this job this afternoon on my 02
Windstar. Sooo glad I didn’t listen to the hundreds of scaredy cats on the
internet saying you need a hoist or just let your mechanic do it .. it was
a totally fun little 2-hour job. It took 30 minutes to take the cowling
off, and another 20 minutes at the end to put it back on (and a partner is
not required). Much faster than building a hoist in your driveway.. and I
would still rather work in the sunshine 🙂
Agree about the dielectric grease and also the anti sieze that was used. We
I was working for a living we had a rep from Loctite come in to our shop.
we ashed him ‘hom much loctite, anti sieze and dielecric grease shoyld be
used” He said and I quote “USE IT LIKE YOU WERE PAYING FOR IT OUT OF YOUR
POCKET” more is not better…
Of all the things I truly wanted to see is how to physically get to the
rear plugs on my wife’s 99 Windstar, like where do my hands go and how well
can you see what you’re doing. Do I need a step stool or do I climb into
the engine bay…. WHAT? The video doesn’t show this and it’s the whole
reason I watched it. UGH!
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Great teaching vid! I start the engine before reassembly of wiper parts
though, in case there’s a problem with new plugs and wires… saves having
to disassemble wiper parts again if there’s some problem with the new spark
plugs that needs addressing. I put 3 in 1 oil on the 8 bolt’s threads and
underside of washers to make reinsertion now and removal the next time that
much easier. I also put a light coat of Vaseline on the washer hose nipples
so hose slides on and off easier.
this video help me on my 2000 windstar ,,,thanks guys
just did mine. took me two hours to do it. it is really tight in the back.
that was the hardest part. you only got a couple on inches the play with
Thanks for posting this. I was staring at my engine trying to figure out
how I was supposed to get behind that engine.
Real-world scenario, doing this in your driveway, the only things I would
note: 1) If you get stuck at Step 1 [pull the wipers off], don’t get
disheartened and think you need a “wiper arm removal tool.” You just need
to close the hood, flip the wipers into their vertical positions, and pull
them straight off. Easier than with the tool anyways.
Thank you for posting this, was very helpful!
awesome video thanks for the tip to remove the wiper assembly i was
treading getting to back plugs and wires but now im happy to know i have an
easier way to this !!!
Thanks for your help. That’s a good idea with the plywood. I’ll be giving
that a try one of next few weekends coming. I may video it so I can show
others the positioning.
Gonna give it a shot on our 2000 Windstar this weekend…
HELL YEAH! I’ve been hesitant to doing this on my GF’s vsn- but I can’t
have her go spending money she doesn’t have just for spark plugs- I just
had to see it done- so I could realize how easy it is to do- THANKS 2001
Windstar – in dire need of a tune up
It should be noted that dielectric grease is an insulator, not a conductor
and should not be allowed to get between any of the metal surfaces. Its
sole purpose is to prevent water intrusion and keep silicone parts from
bonding to the porcelain of the spark plugs. In other words, WAY too much
silicone grease was used here. It will probably do more harm than good.
Thank you guys just save me $120 bucks!!
Agreed. A LITTLE dab will do ya.
2) If you get stuck at Step 3 [disconnect the windshield washer line], my
washer hose certainly didn’t pull off like it shows in the video (is that
not glue residue you see when the tube is pulled out?). After pulling for 5
minutes I found that there is nice soft tubing that comes off the base of
the nozzle itself in one pull, and slips back on just as easy. Aside from
hitting and overcoming those two roadblocks, this was a great little job
that went just like in the video. Thanks again!
From what I’ve been told, it IS hard to see what your doing on the back
three plugs. So you’ll have to replace them more by feel than sight. I lay
right on a small piece of board or plywood on a blanket resting on the top
of the engine. It’s like working on your stomach.
Not bad, but there is an easier way to it. My mechanic put the van on the
lift and changed the rear spark plugs from underneath. No need to take the
wipers/cowling off.
Thanks for the thorough video. Did this job this afternoon on my 02
Windstar. Sooo glad I didn’t listen to the hundreds of scaredy cats on the
internet saying you need a hoist or just let your mechanic do it .. it was
a totally fun little 2-hour job. It took 30 minutes to take the cowling
off, and another 20 minutes at the end to put it back on (and a partner is
not required). Much faster than building a hoist in your driveway.. and I
would still rather work in the sunshine 🙂
Agree about the dielectric grease and also the anti sieze that was used. We
I was working for a living we had a rep from Loctite come in to our shop.
we ashed him ‘hom much loctite, anti sieze and dielecric grease shoyld be
used” He said and I quote “USE IT LIKE YOU WERE PAYING FOR IT OUT OF YOUR
POCKET” more is not better…
it does help us for the back plugs
Of all the things I truly wanted to see is how to physically get to the
rear plugs on my wife’s 99 Windstar, like where do my hands go and how well
can you see what you’re doing. Do I need a step stool or do I climb into
the engine bay…. WHAT? The video doesn’t show this and it’s the whole
reason I watched it. UGH!
I found it easier to remove & replace the metal screws using a cordless
drill with the correct socket and extension.