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Spark plugs last about 20,000 - 30,000 km on average, after which they need to be replaced. If you fill the Ford Focus 3 with high-quality fuel and do not give it excessive loads, then they will work the entire period without problems. However, in the case when the motor began to function incorrectly, then you should not wait - their replacement is required. In our article we will talk about how to change candles correctly, when to do it and what signs you should pay attention to.

In many ways, the life of the spark plugs depends on how the Ford Focus 3 was operated. For example, if you constantly drive in low gear and low revs, when the engine receives an increased load, then the carbon deposits will be much greater than under normal conditions. The quality of the fuel also affects, as mentioned above. If you take care of Ford Focus and maintain it correctly, then the candles can last up to 40,000 km, after which they will be replaced according to the regulations. You can self-detect faulty spark plugs if the Ford Focus begins to behave differently than usual. The main signs, after the appearance of which it is worth changing the candles, are:

1. Increased fuel consumption in all driving modes.
2. The engine stalls at idle speed.
3. The engine does not start well (the starter motor works, but the engine does not start).
4. The motor is trotting and unstable.
5. The dynamics of the car deteriorates, it accelerates poorly and slowly gains momentum.

Preparatory work

If the above symptoms appear on your Ford Focus 3, it means that you need to change the spark plugs. If carbon deposits or cracks are found on the ceramic parts, replacement will also be required. Periodically, you need to check this part for a breakdown using a special device. Ignoring this can lead to a more serious problem - the ignition coil will fail, and its replacement will cost much more (more than 5 times).

At Ford Focus 3, replacement of spark plugs should be done either on a cold engine, or slightly warmed up. The fact is that on a hot engine, they should not be twisted. If this happens, then most likely there is some problem with the thread of the cylinder head, which is made of light and not very strong metal and will need to be changed.

Before you start changing candles to Ford Focus, prepare all the tools that you may need in your work. It is also recommended to have special tools for determining the gap of the spark plugs. So, you need the following tools:

• Candle wrench for 16 (you can choose any, but quality options are 3122B or Hazet-900 / AKF keys);
• Unscrewing pliers;
• Gap measuring device.

Among other things, you will of course need a set of 4 spark plugs. As for the specific choice, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer and buy the products of reputable firms.

So, the most correct option for a Ford Focus is to purchase a set of spark plugs, check their gap and adjust them one by one for further replacement. Once you get everything you need, you need to wait until the motor has completely cooled down and only then start working. This is enough time to check new spark plugs and determine the gap. A special device must be used to measure the gap.

Features of replacing candles

Let's get down to work on replacing the spark plugs. To do this, turn off the ignition and follow these steps:

1. Remove the Ford Focus engine cover by unscrewing the mounting bolts.
2. We remove the connections of the plugs of the ignition coil. This can be done by pulling the special brackets up.
3. We unscrew the bolts securing the coils to the cylinder head and lift them up. It is also necessary to inspect the place of attachment of the cylinder head and coil for damage to the seal. Change if necessary.
4. We unscrew the candles using the key. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the ceramic case, using the special keys mentioned above.
5. We check the new candle for the interelectrode distance. As a rule, manufacturers set everything correctly, but if there is any discrepancy, it must be eliminated. To do this, bend the mass electrode by tapping on it from the side. Again, it is strictly forbidden to lean on the central electrode. The thread edge can be used as a stop.
6. We spread a special compound with a high copper content on the threads.
7. Install the spark plug in the Ford Focus cylinder head and screw it in with your fingers, then fix it with a spark plug wrench. (To avoid improper twisting, place a plastic tube or rubber hose over the shank that will act as a hinge and align the spark plug with the socket without breaking the threads.)

As you might have already figured out, changing spark plugs is a fairly simple affair at a Ford Focus. It remains to connect the high-voltage wires. Before doing this, they must be carefully examined. If everything is in order, then with a rotational movement we put the BB wires in place. We carry out the same steps for each candle. When you learn how to do this, then there will be no problems and the process will not take much time. The last - stage - we install the Ford Focus engine cover and that's it, the replacement is over.

On Ford Focus 3 cars, by default, one electrode spark plugs (hereinafter referred to as SZ) are installed with an electrode made of heat-resistant metal. Over time, erosion and melting forms on the surface. Due to the budget cost, availability, they are especially popular. In case of failure, it will not be difficult to buy a set of new ones. The same cannot be said about the more expensive options with two or three electrodes made of iridium, yttrium, tungsten, platinum, palladium.

The main criterion by which the division takes place is the potassium number. The higher it is, the longer it takes for the spark plug to ignite, spark, ignite the fuel mixture. This type is called cold, hot, on the contrary, has a minimum interval.

The owner independently chooses which spark plugs to install in the car. For the average driver, there is no fundamental difference which SZ is screwed into the block. Provided that parts with original catalog numbers are installed, the average service life exceeds 30,000 km, the replacement frequency is tripled when using iridium spark plugs.

When to Replace Spark Plugs

There are external and internal signs that determine the need to replace the SZ Ford Focus 3. The first type includes:

• increased fuel consumption;
• difficulty starting the power unit, especially in winter;
• operation of the motor with a violation of the stroke;
• detonation;
• drop in power, when driving downhill, the engine systematically "requires" the transition to lower gears.

These signs are identified during the operation of the motor. The presence of special skills is not required, every driver is able to notice changes in the car and its components. Replacing spark plugs Ford Focus 3 with your own hands will take no more than 10 minutes of time. If you doubt your abilities, you have never encountered such a repair - contact the specialists of the auto repair shop for help, where a quality guarantee is provided for the block of work performed.

During a major overhaul, do-it-yourself SJ replacement, always pay attention to the following:

• the presence and thickness of carbon deposits on the candle electrode;
• soot color: gray, brown, black, white. Colors other than brown indicate fuel system failure, rich, lean;
• excessive oiliness, reflections are signs of deformation of the gasket, the throw of engine oil into the system;
• the smell of burning in the engine compartment - damage to the electrical power system;
• deformation, cracks on the body of the candles. Also, melting, yellow carbon deposits, oxidation.

What factors accelerate the wear of the ignition system

• continuous operation of the machine at medium and low speed modes;
• low-quality fuel with a low octane number, an excessive content of chemical impurities, which have such a detrimental effect on the operation of the engine as a whole;
• systematic temperature overheating;
• mechanical damage to the electrical circuit, coil, wells, battery.

The choice of candles on the Ford Focus 3

At the initial stage, inexperienced owners make typical and typical mistakes when choosing spare parts and consumables for repairs. Lack of experience "promotes" the purchase of unsuitable goods, as a result of which a replacement, return is required.

In order to avoid gross "blunders", we present below a list of the best products with original catalog numbers:

• for Ford Focus - 1.6 l / 105 hp, article 1685720, price from 450 rubles;
• for Ford Focus 3 - 2 l / 125 hp, 5215216, price from 450 rubles;
• CHAMPION, OE031T10, from 350 rubles;
• BERU, Z177, from 350 rubles;
• DENSO (iridium candles), TV16TT, from 550 rubles. The replacement interval exceeds 100,000 km;
• NGK, 4559, from 400 rubles;
• CHAMPION, EON4286, from 400 rubles;
• DENSO, T16VRU10, from 400 rubles;
• WEEN, 1230002, from 400 rubles;
• NGK, 94769, from 400 rubles;
• ASHUKI, B23586, from 400 rubles;
• NGK, 95688, from 400 rubles;
• VALEO (American), 246890, from 450 rubles;
• WEEN, 1221487, from 450 rubles;
• Turbo, 0242235756, from 400 rubles;
• FORD, 1525910, from 500 rubles.

Based on the given catalog indices, the owner can confidently purchase (change) consumables, components, without worrying about quality, identity.

In order to avoid the purchase of fakes, drivers practice ordering parts with subsequent installation at service centers. Thus, you get a quality guarantee, professional installation, a flexible system of discounts, a wide range of products, and the possibility of post-warranty service.

Replacing spark plugs Ford Focus 3

To change the spark plugs to Ford Focus 3 yourself, prepare new consumables in advance, a special "spark plug" key for "16", rags.

The sequence of actions in accordance with the regulations:

We screw in new Ford Focus 3 spark plugs, assemble the structure together with a moderate tightening torque.

Which spark plugs to put on the engine of your car - this question is of interest to many owners of Ford Focus 3 cars, and not only. Undoubtedly, at the present time on the market for the sale of spark plugs, unfortunately, there are companies manufacturing candles of not the desired quality. And most importantly, these candles, along with quality spark plugs, are sold for almost the same price. Therefore, below are the brands of spark plugs specified by the manufacturer and the brands of spark plugs that are installed instead.

What spark plugs do Ford Focus 3 owners install?

Of course, almost any car engine can be found and supplied with analogues of the original spark plugs specified in the documentation. Therefore, the following are spark plugs that can be substituted for the above. But remember that it was not in vain that the manufacturer indicated the brands of spark plugs in the Owner's Manual.

OPEL: 1214013 (1214013)
CHAMPION: RES9PYP4 (RES9PYP4)
ACDELCO: 41-981 (41981)
NGK: ILTR5A-13G (ILTR5A13G)
NGK: PTR5A-10 (PTR5A10)
SPLITFIRE: SF534D (SF534D)
BOSCH: HLR8STEX (HLR8STEX)

On average, a candle should move 30,000 km, but experience shows that in practice this resource is almost twice as large and reaches 50,000 km. Ford recommends changing the candles regardless of their condition, that is, 45,000 km.

Ford 1493001 - original spark plug for 1.6 (85PS, 1005PS)

It is better to change the candles on time, especially if there are suspicions about them.

Different candles are placed on Ford Focus 3 depending on the volume and power of the engine:

• 1.6L Duratec Ti-VCT (105PS) - 1493001 , the cost is 150 rubles;
• 1.6L Duratec Ti-VCT (85PS) - 1493001 ;
• 1.6L Duratec Ti-VCT (85PS, 105PS) - 1787829 ;
• 1.6L Duratec Ti-VCT (125PS) FFV-Sigma - 1680032 or 1698597 , the cost is 250 rubles.
• 2.0L Duratec TIVCT (154PS) - 5115895 (production date: to 2011/07/07) or 5211024 (production date: from 2011/07/07). Price RUB 370

Candles are sold per piece. To replace candles in Ford Focus 3, 4 candles are required. It is best to use original candles that match your power unit. Externally, the candles may be similar, but their characteristics are different and are fine-tuned for a certain power.

Due to the low cost of original candles and good quality, as a rule, everyone uses the original. Replacement options are also possible, they go universal for all types of motors, for example NGK TR5B13 or NGK 96463... Price 120 rubles.

NGK spark plugs are of good quality and they make official Ford spark plugs. These candles have similar characteristics to the original ones and a similar price. Here you should choose solely from your preferences.

NIPPON DENSO TV16TT- another analog quality spark plug. The original can be inferior only in terms of service life, but insignificantly. The cost is similar to NGK, from 120 rubles / piece.

Universal spark plug NGK 4559

Qualitative analogue of Nippon Denso TV16TT

Each candle manufacturer uses its own technologies and materials, but the general characteristics and their service life are approximately the same. You can highlight the original candles, they are matched to a specific car, due to which the greatest positive effect is achieved. While the analogs are universal, for different models and brands with similar characteristics, therefore, their properties are averaged for the selected model range, which reduces their effectiveness.

The price is relevant for Moscow and Moscow region at the time of this writing, autumn 2016.