Hi I'm new to this forum. I think my Durango needs new spark plugs. It fouled one a year ago and I've been meaning to get them changed but haven't had a chance or have forgotten. My truck is 2003 with the 5.9L 4WD SXT. My ex used to do all this and bow I have no idea. I was wondering what spark plugs to buy and do ya'll have any installatio tips? And no, I'm not going to do it myself haha!
Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

use champion copper cores gapped to .040. you can get them at almost any auto parts store

 

I use the champion copper, cheap and work fine. A few good tips are, remove one at a time, not a good idea to pull all the wires, then try to remeber where they go. I use a long socket with the rubber boot in it, I put a drop of 3 and 1 oil in the socket. They job is rather easy, and can be done for under 20 dollars. Just make sure not to let anything drop in the block, I lost a tip of the plug in the motor, I was lucky, I used a shop vac, with a long tube to pull it out. Good luck.

 

Thank you guys! My ex used to do all the work on it and I'm clueless

 

As to the fouling issue, do you know if the plenum gasket in the bottom of the intake manifold has been looked at or possibly repaired? If that gasket is bad...and they usually are unless they've been previously fixed, oil gets sucked up into the intake, and travels with the charge of air into the cylinders. Eventually this leads to the fouling of the rear plugs, possible CAT clogging, and overall poor running from vacuum leak.

 

Hi! All I really know about the fouling issue is that my motor eats oil and I have to keep putting oil in It, and one time it started running bad and I took it in right away and they found a fouled spark plug and that was like 6 months ago. I bought the Champion spark plugs and am going to change em out and see what happens.
I highly doubt that any seal has been changed. Is this a difficult fix or is it easily done?

Thanks!

 

The plenum gasket isn't horrible but it requires some accessories and harness be removed so you have access to removing the intake manifold. The plenum plate and gasket are literally on the bottom side of the intake manifold. You can retain the stock metal plate and use shorter bolts to lengthen the new gasket's life, or you can purchase an after market aluminum plate to replace the stock steel plate so the aluminum from both plate and intake expand and contract at the same rate. This is one reason why the stock gasket failed so fast.

Either way, it's a fairly involved process. It's also a good time to replace the timing gears and chain.

 

Thank you so much for the tips. I LOVE my truck...my ex hated it....I appreciate every bit of advice on how to keep it going - I don't want a new car/truck! It now has 150K on it, and eats a quart bout every month. Its the 5.9L. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to fixing it. I'm goin to look into the plenum gasket thing and see what can be done. Its exciting to think my gas mileage might improve! I want to keep it healthy. I'm very intune with it...I can feel when something isn't right. (You prolly know what I mean) Lately I've noticed it being sluggish when I start it up and put it in gear and press on the gas.....its like it misses just a bit. Was thinking that could be the sparkplugs. This is a great forum!

 

Here's the best way to verify the integrity of the plenum gasket and it's not too hard to do even for a novice.

First, remove the air cleaner and the four bolts that hold the throttle body down on top of the manifold. You may be able to move it out of the way a little bit without disconnecting any wiring, fuel line, or throttle and detent cables.

If you can get it moved away from the barrel openings into the manifold, peer down in with a flashlight. You're looking for pooled oil. That surface you see down in the manifold is the plenum plate. If it's clean and dry then the gasket is fine.

I doubt it though.

If you see oil pooled in the center or off to the sides and in the corners, then the gasket is blown and it's sucking oil up and sending it through the combustion process.

That will tell you if the gasket needs to be replaced, and yes, pulling the intake manifold is the only way to do that.

The oil consumption may also be related to other issues, but that can be addressed separately once you've determined if you have an issue with the plenum gasket or not.

Where are you located? Maybe if you're close to a friendly forum member they may be able to offer you help. I know if you were near me I'd be happy to help with some of the repairs.

 

I'm in the upper part of the lower peninsula of Michigan. I do have some guy friends that will help me out with this.....and its cool, u cuda said "chick" instead of novice! Haha. I'm excited to check this all out. Thank you a zillion!! Once I get a looky, I'll post back and lectha know what I found out. :-D. Now its just a waiting game for when I get a chance to do it.