Ahh, the dreaded Ford "3 Valve" 5.4 V8 and it's ludicrous spark plug design. Available from 2004 (except the Heritage model) through 2008ish in Ford's full size SUVs and F-Series trucks, these engines are overall very durable and reliable. These spark plugs have stricken fear into the hearts of many DIYers (and some seasoned technicians!) … Continue reading Tech Tip Tuesday: Ford 5.4 Triton spark plugs
DIY
Why You SHOULDN’T change your own oil
"But you dedicated an entire post on how to change your own oil. What gives?" You know WHY to change your oil (right?) and probably when (check your owners manual to be sure), but let's delve into the whys and why-nots of the DIY oil change. I'm not saying you should never change your own … Continue reading Why You SHOULDN’T change your own oil
Fuel Filter Replacement – 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
Most people know they need to change their oil and filter and perhaps even their air filter, but there are a number of "forgotten filters" on cars and trucks these days that are often neglected. We'll be focusing on the fuel filter today. Fuel filters should be replaced every few years or about 40-50k miles … Continue reading Fuel Filter Replacement – 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
Tech Tip Tuesday: Pouring Oil
Adding oil to a vehicle's engine is something that nearly all of you have probably done at one time or another. This basic task has been performed countless times by technicians knocking out a routine PM (preventive maintenance) service, DIYers tackling another oil change, and first-timers who just bought their first quart of oil at … Continue reading Tech Tip Tuesday: Pouring Oil
Tech Tip Tuesday: Spark Plug Wires
In this installment of Tech Tip Tuesday (which has been carelessly forgotten a few Tuesdays recently) we'll examine the importance of dielectric grease when installing spark plug wires. This particular example is on a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer 4.0 V6. The customer said he had a misfire, usually under load, but not all the time and said … Continue reading Tech Tip Tuesday: Spark Plug Wires
Basics: Disc Brake Job
I alluded to this particular post in my recent post about rear caliper service, and I feel it will be helpful to someone who is a little hesitant to do a brake job or unfamiliar with how disc brakes work. For a basic understanding of how disc brakes work, you could do a simple Google … Continue reading Basics: Disc Brake Job
The Service Station Blog 