Ford equipped the 2002 Windstar's 3.8-liter V-6 engine with platinum enhanced spark plugs for longer life. When looking in the engine compartment, three of the Windstar's six spark plugs are in the lower front of the engine behind the radiator. The other three plugs are found in the lower rear side of the engine. Replace the spark plugs at 100,000-mile intervals to meet Ford's maintenance schedule for your 2002 Windstar.
Gap the new spark plugs with the spark plug gauge to .052 to .056 inch or 1.3 to 1.4 mm.
Wipe dirt away from the area around the spark plug wire boots with a shop rag. Grasp the plug wire boot with the spark plug wire remover. Twist the boot back and forth a few times, then continue to twist while pulling the boot off the end of the spark plug.
Remove the spark plug with the spark plug socket, ratchet and ratchet extension. Do not allow dirt to enter the spark plug hole.
Thread a new spark plug into the hole by hand until it is snug. Torque the spark plug to 11 foot-pounds with foot-pound torque wrench, spark plug socket and ratchet extension.
Apply silicone grease to the inside of the plug wire boot, then press the boot onto the end of the spark plug until it snaps into place.
Repeat steps 2 through 6 for each of the other five spark plugs. Replace each spark plug individually to avoid getting the firing order confused.
