Ford Ka, Fiesta 1.3 – Seized Spark Plugs

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Fri 3 Jan 2003 11:13
Ford Ka, Fiesta 1.3 – Seized Spark Plugs - IKM
I recently came upon this site and read with interest the problems with seized spark plugs on the Ford Ka. and Fiesta with the 1.3 engine. Unfortunately it was too late to save me the £200 it cost to remove seized plugs on a 2 year Ka which had been serviced at 10000 and 20000 miles by a Ford dealer.

The Ka is an excellent car to drive and is very reasonably priced but owners should be aware that the Ford service schedule does not include removing the spark plugs until 30000 miles or 3 years by which time they will almost certainly be seized. From now on I'm getting the car serviced at a local garage which changes the plugs at the 10000 mile service.

The same comments for seized spark plugs apply also to the bolt which secures the spare wheel. It's a good idea to remove the spare wheel and grease the bolt once a year otherwise it may be impossible to remove the spare wheel when it's most needed.
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Fri 3 Jan 2003 11:28
Ford Ka, Fiesta 1.3 - Seized Spark Plugs - M.M
Iain,

Yes you're right..this does come up a great deal.

On a broader point you will see heated discussions as to the motives of those garages/mechanics that go against makers advice and change the oil at 6K, cambelt at 40-50K etc etc.

You may be interested to know that I convert any car's service schedule back to the "old fashioned" 6K small service, 12K medium and 24K major regardless of these daft extended periods.

So for your car I would be doing an oil change and safety check (tyres/brakes/lights) at 6K/6mths plus removing the plugs and replacing with anti-seize compound.

Even with modern oils extended changes can ruin an engine such as yours....particularly as Ka's are often shorter run vehicles.

MM



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Fri 3 Jan 2003 19:48
Ford Ka, Fiesta 1.3 - Seized Spark Plugs - Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up)
Good man all day Middleman!!




Happiness is a T70 at full chat!
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Fri 3 Jan 2003 20:11
Ford Ka, Fiesta 1.3 - Seized Spark Plugs - jc
Just remember there's no cambelt on a Ka.
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Sat 4 Jan 2003 12:33
Ford Ka, Fiesta 1.3 - Seized Spark Plugs - Dude - {P}
This problem was covered very fully in an earlier thread, - just do a search "Ford Ka seized spark plugs" where there are approx 70 replies.
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