first oil change on Marauder

[88LTDCV351]

Did my first oil change on my Marauder. 2nd oil change I've ever done myself, first time I've done my Marauder myself. Figure its cheaper than taking it to a mechanic. It only took 5 quarts. Is that OK? The drivers manual indicated that its supposed to take 6 quarts.

Also, where are the spark plugs? The spark plugs I replaced on my old vic were easy to find and replace. However, I was thinking ahead about doing a tune up on my Marauder myself but didn't see spark plugs sticking out in the usual places. Are their covers that need to be removed in order to see them? I figure they have to be under these valve cover looking things but didn't want to start taking things off without knowing what I'm doing. Also noticed that there is no distributer cap, rotor..but I figure I'm just used to looking at old technology under the hood of my Vic.

[RR|Suki]

Did my first oil change on my Marauder. 2nd oil change I've ever done myself, first time I've done my Marauder myself. Figure its cheaper than taking it to a mechanic. It only took 5 quarts. Is that OK? The drivers manual indicated that its supposed to take 6 quarts.

Also, where are the spark plugs? The spark plugs I replaced on my old vic were easy to find and replace. However, I was thinking ahead about doing a tune up on my Marauder myself but didn't see spark plugs sticking out in the usual places. Are their covers that need to be removed in order to see them? I figure they have to be under these valve cover looking things but didn't want to start taking things off without knowing what I'm doing. Also noticed that there is no distributer cap, rotor..but I figure I'm just used to looking at old technology under the hood of my Vic.

Buy a service manual :D but yeah if you drained all the oil out it should of taken 6... check your stick again. Second, the plugs are under the coil covers (the little covers on the valve covers). There is no distributor etc. it's coil on plug ignition IE every plug has it's own coil. Also be careful and mindful, it's an Aluminum head so take care pulling the plugs out, and use anti-seize when putting them back in... also do not muscle them tight, snug is better than too tight... if you have a tq wrench, use the specs in the book.. it's not much 12ft/lbs maybe

[SID210SA]

Yes...she does take six quarts....did you have one end of the car up or was she level while you were draining the oil...and the plugs are under the coil covers that are on the valve covers...our cars are coil on plug or referred to as COP's....no distributer

and remember it is better to underfill than overfill

Oh I see some one beat me to it

[UncleLar]

Don't change the plugs with the engine hot. let it sit until it's ambient temperature.

[MitchB]

Don't change the plugs with the engine hot. let it sit until it's ambient temperature.

Let it cold soak overnight.

Mitch

[fastblackmerc]

And blow out any debris that might have found it's way in to the plug wells before you you pull out the plugs.

[RF Overlord]

2nd oil change I've ever done myself, first time I've done my Marauder myself.Congrats...welcome to the club! Feels good, doesn't it?
It only took 5 quarts. Is that OK? No, it is not. You will get various answers as to the precise quantity, but it's at least 6 quarts. Check again after it's cooled down and be sure the car is level.
Also, where are the spark plugs?Under the smaller covers that are part of the cam covers. Changing the plugs in this car is very easy, but be sure the motor is COLD, and be sure to use a torque wrench set to 11 ft/lbs when installing the new ones (aluminium heads). If you use anti-seize, use very little.
Also noticed that there is no distributer capThat's because this motor uses a COP system (Coil On Plug). You'll see them when you remove the covers. Just unplug the COP connector and pull the COP straight up. Spark plugs are down inside the tube.

[GetMeMyStogie]

It only took 5 quarts. Is that OK? The drivers manual indicated that its supposed to take 6 quarts.

I just went through the owners manual myself. IIRC (it's at home, and I'm not) it says 5.7 liters/quarts *including the oil filter*. Before installing the new filter, did you fill it up with oil? If not, and you fired up the engine, you probably heard quite a bit of racket from under the hood. Once the filter became full of oil, only then did the oil get to the rest of the engine, quieting things down. That would have happened fairly quickly - about 1 second.

I've been doing my own oil changes since forever, and the QS2 filter used on my '94 Grand Marquis (that's one name I'd rather not abbreviate, ever), and apparently also on the MM, hold at least 0.5 liters before I screw it on.

[88LTDCV351]

No, I didn't fill the oil filter. But didn't notice any unusual noise when I started the car back up. Dipstick looks fine between min and max so I'm sure I must have left a quart in the car. The car was parked on the court in front of my sisters house and looked level but must not have been. Poured in 5 quarts and refilled those same quarts with the used oil.

Doing my own oil change felt good. I'll get the hang of it eventually. I'll never waste money to have a mechanic do it again.

I recon I can get a service manual from Ford parts department? What is the publication/manual number? Volume A? Do I have a choice of hardcopy or softcopy (CD)?

[88LTDCV351]

I went to the Helm website for the manuals. Which one should I get? I'm just interested in doing things like changing spark plugs, tune up, clean Mass airflow sensor, oil change, etc.

[MitchB]

I went to the Helm website for the manuals. Which one should I get? I'm just interested in doing things like changing spark plugs, tune up, clean Mass airflow sensor, oil change, etc.

Really, just go on ebay and do a search for Ford, manual and your year. You want the Ford shop manual for the Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis. Manuals in good condition are usually available for a fraction of the cost new from Helm.

Mitch

[Vortech347]

Okay these cars baffle the hell out of me. Using the dipstick and level ground after oil changes... Some need 5qts, 5.5, and other 6.

Don't really understand what the difference or even why....My wife's cobra is the same way.

The old pushrod in my stang is 5 quarts dead nuts on every time. Becareful not to overfill.

[Bradley G]

My take on this phenomenon is, that the heads are so large on these 32V 4.6L motors that a good bit of oil stays up in the top part of the motor.
My new deal if I change my own oil is, letting it drain for extended time.
Last time it was overnight til I pluged it and topped off.
Tomorrow, I might get to doing just that.

[fastblackmerc]

Before I change oil I get the engine up to operating temperature. Then I put a jack & jack stand under the right side - opposite the drain plug and drain away. Of course this is done on a level surface.

[Black bart]

:burnout:Just follow the advice given here as I did. Plugs are much easier to change out than on the Town Car.

I change the oil/filters on all of my vehicles. The MM takes 6 quarts of (synthetic) oil and use a WIX oil filter for peace of mind.

I purchased a MM CD from e-bay but it is a PITA to locate info and then have to print out pages when wrenching on the car as opposed to a hard copy services manual

[Hotrauder]

Did my first oil change on my Marauder. 2nd oil change I've ever done myself, first time I've done my Marauder myself. Figure its cheaper than taking it to a mechanic. It only took 5 quarts. Is that OK? The drivers manual indicated that its supposed to take 6 quarts.

Also, where are the spark plugs? The spark plugs I replaced on my old vic were easy to find and replace. However, I was thinking ahead about doing a tune up on my Marauder myself but didn't see spark plugs sticking out in the usual places. Are their covers that need to be removed in order to see them? I figure they have to be under these valve cover looking things but didn't want to start taking things off without knowing what I'm doing. Also noticed that there is no distributer cap, rotor..but I figure I'm just used to looking at old technology under the hood of my Vic.

Did you change the filter?