03 mgm ls..spark plug questions

[89merk]

Im new to the 4.6 engine having box panthers all my life, gave the car an oil change and checked all fluids when I got it last week, now Im interested in changing the spark plugs and have a few Qs.

am I seeing correctly that this car has no spark plug wires?

are platinum plugs the way to go?

I think I may have an idea how to change the spark plugs but any pic/diagram anyone can post it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Also does this car have an in line fuel filter? my 89 had it in front of the rear passenger tire..

[88grandmarq]

Im new to the 4.6 engine having box panthers all my life, gave the car an oil change and checked all fluids when I got it last week, now Im interested in changing the spark plugs and have a few Qs.

am I seeing correctly that this car has no spark plug wires?

are platinum plugs the way to go?

I think I may have an idea how to change the spark plugs but any pic/diagram anyone can post it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Also does this car have an in line fuel filter? my 89 had it in front of the rear passenger tire..

Correct, there are no spark plug wires. it uses a system called COP (Coil on plug) individual coils sit on top of the spark plugs.
to change the spark plugs, you have to remove the 7mm screw holding the coil to the intake manifold. then pull the coil off the plug. its not as difficult as it appears. Ford specifies platinum plugs, but you can get away with normal copper plugs. I used them on my 2003 town car and it performed well.

Your 2003 should have a removable fuel filter in the same or similar location the 88/89 car does.

[miamibob]

Not sure where the Fuel Filter is on an '03 but on my '95 it is near the rear DRIVER's wheel.

[sly]

yeah... aeros/whales is on the driver side... same location as the passenger side on boxen.

[SVT98t]

Fuel filter is on the passenger side after 03.
The COP info is correct.

-ryan s.

[Piece-it pete]

How many miles on her? I had the slightest hint of a stumble on the 03, I changed the COPS, boots, and plugs and it purrs now. Take a look, it is easy. I've heard tell that the clips on the harness to the COPs are easy to break but I didn't break any.

COPs are PN DG508. Common consensus is use Motorcraft. Even if she's running good I would at least replace the boots/springs. They're cheap on ebay ($20.50 del'd, search for 4.6 boots). And if I would've caught it I would've replaced the fuel injector orings and filters, and cleaned up the fuel rails while I was there.

Pete