I am going to tackle this tomorrow. I searched to see if there were tips or hints, everything I found seemed to be talking about 5.5 Gen. I am very mechanical and figured I should do the spark plugs too while back there. Anyone have any pointers to make this easier?

 

there's a write up in the 4th sections w/ pics that can help you out, engines are the same besides the upper intake really. also if you dont have the FSM or haynes you need to get one so you can torque the VC, upper intake, and TB(if you disconnect it from the upper intake) down CORRECTLY. Main this is to take your time and label things you remove. What I did with bolts was when I removed the part I put the bolts back in that part so I would know exactly where it went. You should be fine if you are mechanically inclined. Good Luck

FYI: You have access to the plugs and coils with a 3.0 with the upper intake on the engine. Its the 5.5 gen that you have to take the upper intake off to get to plugs and coils.

 

Yea I used the 4th gen how to. The upper intake is slightly different but if I remember correctly only the EGR tube area was a bit different. I made sure to label all my vacuum hoses as you can lose track of them quickly. I also took pics just for some added insurance.

 

Remember that the torque values for the valve covers is in inch pounds.

 

I don't disagree on using a torque wrench. However every vehicle I have worked on I would just basically tighten everything down as tight as I found it.

 

well I started to tackle getting the UIM off and decided to quit for the day. There is so much crap in the way! The 4th gen instructions seem to be quite different. I'll try again tomorrow, it was a long crappy day at work.

 

YES! there is a lot of stuff in the way, but that's why it takes so long to remove the UIM. I was overwhelmed with so much to remove but after I just jumped in and started unplugged/removing/labeling stuff, it wasn't that bad at all.

That's why I don't think there is a legit "how to" for the 5th gens(00-01) because its just a 4th gen with a lot more cables/hoses/sensor in the way.

 

It took me about an hour to take mine off...including labelling and taking pics. A lot of the stuff don't even need to come off fully just unbolted or unplugged and moved out the way

 

yup I never fully removed anything except the airbox and UIM. Everything else was just moved aside really

 

Well I finally did it today. I hate those damn clips that hold the harnesses in place and those spring loaded pigtail clips.....Beginning to end, it took right about 4 hours. That was with a few beer breaks in between. I started it up and she just purred. I let her idle as I cleaned up tools etc, all of a sudden it started mis-firing. I revved it up a few times and it cleared.....wonder what that was all about.

 

could of been the coil seating itself properly on the spark plug or a dying coil

 

Maybe it was the junk that i cleaned out of the EGR moving through the system.