How to Do a Tune Up on a 2002 Lincoln LS
- 1). Wait for the engine to cool completely. Removing the spark plugs from a hot aluminum engine can result in damage to the cylinder heads. Pull up on the back plastic engine cover to remove it from the engine. No tools are needed to remove the LS engine cover; it simply snaps into place on pins bolted to the engine.
- 2). Unplug the electrical connectors on the individual coils by squeezing the locking tabs as you pull each connector from the coil. The coils on this car are located under the black plastic cover on the outer edges of the intake manifold.
- 3). Remove the small 7 mm screws that attach the coils to the intake manifold using a 7 mm socket, long extension and ratchet. Be careful not to drop the screws, as you remove them, because it is difficult to find replacements. Twist the coil as you pull it from the cylinder head and lay the coil aside in a safe place. Remove all eight coils.
- 4). Unscrew the spark plugs from the engine using a 5/8-inch spark plug socket on a long extension and a ratchet. Apply a small dab of anti-seize compound to the threads of the new spark plug and screw them into the engine until snug. Tighten them an additional 1/4 turn to seat the sealing washer on the plugs.
- 5). Push the coils onto the new spark plugs. The flexible rubber ends of the coils are spring-loaded and do not snap into place like traditional spark plug wires. Install the 7 mm screws by hand to prevent cross-threading them and tighten them snugly. There is no load on these screws; they only keep the coils from moving around so be gentle, when tightening the screws, to avoid damage to the intake manifold.
- 6). Plug the electrical connectors into the coils and reinstall the black engine cover. Start the engine and take a test-drive to verify the engine runs smoothly.