Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
In transverse V6 engines like your Escape, where getting to the rear bank is impossible, use iridium plugs that last longer; they're good for 100k.
My recommendation is the Denso Iridium TT "Twin Tip" part number 4713.
The Denso TT is the only good iridium plug available for your engine, since the Denso Long Life and NGK Laser Iridium don't appear to be available for your application. The "performance" iridium plugs (Denso Iridium Power and NGK Iridium IX) aren't that great and will only last 40-60k.
Should you decide to stick with platinum, the best platinum plugs for your application are the NGK Laser Platinum (part number 93858) and Denso Double Platinum (part number 5091). However, these are only good for 60k.
How many miles on your Escape? Because it seems early for a 2012 car to need new plugs already, as most modern cars come with iridium that are good for at least 100k. But if you do have high mileage, and you need to pull the intake, consider replacing the valve cover gaskets while you're in there (and Rock Auto has the valve cover gasket set cheap on clearance right now).
Is there any access for the rear plugs? Some of those engines have cutouts in the intake, allowing plug/coil access without having to remove the intake (an example is the 95-99 Maxima).
Most Motorcraft plugs are made by Autolite, but they're not the greatest.
Thanks for the info!
It has right at 60k, and I plan on changing them soon before I go back to work/school/life and dont have time anymore.
The OEM plugs are platinum according to the Ford Manual.
I plan on changing gasket(s) and other things while I am in there since it is a pain to get to those back 3.
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
I had a Duratec engine and I changed plugs at around 70-80k even though they were supposed to last 100k. The reason you change them is so that they don't get completely rusted to the block. Gas mileage did improve afterwards and even though they were platinum plugs, the gap did open up a little over time.
I have noticed that the gap varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. I thought this kind of went by the wayside in recent years for new vehicles?
Originally Posted By: punisher
Some gave good advice....stay OEM when possible. The replacement plug is a double platinum anyway.
OEM is regular platinum not double (as specified by Ford)
Nowadays there are only a few plug manufacturers, so why is going OEM still the best idea?