Do you NEED to replace those intake gaskets when you change the spark plugs? Is there some kind of grease you could use instead to seal them properly? I see most places sell one set, but they don't seem to carry the other set (the lower ones or something). Where can I find all these gaskets reasonably if they need to be replaced?

 

Zach, must you replace the o-rings. NO!!!!!! They are re-useable and will seal just fine as long as they have their elasticity still. If you go to the local auto parts store, you can ask for the upper and lower intake gaskets for the same year Lincoln LS 3.0L motor and those will work on your car. They are like $25 a set (so, $50 total). I would just call up your local parts store to see if they have them in stock or if they don't, how long it would take to get them in. If you are into the motor that far, it would not be a bad idea to change them anyways. Saves a lot of questions later though too.

Your call. If you need the part numbers, I will see what I can do for you. If you do some looking, I have posted the part numbers for the Fel-Pro gaskets that are available at your local Advance/Kragen/Checkers parts store.

 

I agree with Thermo it is probably optional but it is quite a bit of work to get there so for peace of mind change them. I did replace mine at 100k miles although they were still quite flexible. I bought from Autopartswarehouse.com for just over $20 a set of six. The Jag dealer only wanted $20 each of six!

Brian

 

Ok! Thanks! Good to know! $20 is not bad but an extra $50 would make a spark plug change pretty expensive. So they share motors with the Lincoln? I read in another post they had Porsche engines. I will probably just check the o-rings and try to reuse them. Car isn't that old yet. Next spark plug change be a good time to change them if I could get by for now. I'm sure the car would like a nice new set of new plugs when I can get around to it.

 

What kind of spark plugs are you guys putting in anyways? In another car I put in the NGK laser iridiums and those things were pretty sweet. Don't know if they would work for x-types though.

 

04xtype04, Jaguars from the era that you have share motors with the Ford line of vehicles. There are slight variants between the Lincoln, Ford, Volvo, and Mazda engines, but a lot of the parts are interchangeable. So, some research is needed to make sure what is different between the different blocks.

As for spark plugs, stick with a brand name (Bosch, NGK, etc) and stick with a double platinum plug. Do not go for the "special" (aka, power adding" plugs like the Bosch +4's, the Splitfires, etc as they do nothing for modern day cars (they already have high energy coils and the "multi-spark" plugs do nothing for improving the situation. I have Motorcraft plugs in my car right now.

 

Yea, I found out that those +4 tips don't help unless your car is designed for them. For most cars the normal ended spark plugs with one tip are actually better. I might try those NGK laser iridiums. They last 100,000 and are the top of NGK's line. I think my car could use a new set of plugs. Engine runs pretty well but I think new plugs would add a little extra umpff. The laser iridiums are little pricey but you can find good deals on them on ebay if you know the part number.