HT lead keeps coming off

[Coaster]

I've replaced plugs and HT leads on a 59 plate fiesta about 3 months ago.
Today it was misfiring and No1 ht lead came loose at the coil end.
Is there anything I can do like nip the metal connectors closer to strengthen the connection?
The plug ends moved in slightly when I pushed them in but No1 lead was coming off at the coil end.

 

[Old Salt]

Photo of the lead inside would help as they do come in different formats now, you may be able to open it up.

 

[Mottie]

Try pulling the rubber sleeve back along the lead, push the lead fully into the coil pack and then push the sleeve back towards the coil. IIRC there are several different types of fittings on the leads for those cars. Did you check that you had the same fittings as the old leads when you changed them?

 

[Coaster]

Think i might be able to. I've a spare I can practice onn

 

[Coaster]

Try pulling the rubber sleeve back along the lead, push the lead fully into the coil pack and then push the sleeve back towards the coil. IIRC there are several different types of fittings on the leads for those cars. Did you check that you had the same fittings as the old leads when you changed them?

No it didn't but I can do as I kept the old ones.

 

[Burnerman]

Are these pattern leads, Mr C?
Maybe the genuine Ford parts would be a better bet!
John

 

[Old Salt]

That out of focus shot looks as if the centre contact is two halves in which case and depending on the part it clips in or on you can either open out the halves or squeeze them slightly so that they grip better.

So if it plugs in open them up a bit and if its into a peg then you could close them up or just put the original back for No. 1 cylinder.

 

[Coaster]

Yes burnermwn : pattern part. Maybe I'll get the proper ones next time.
Yes I gently nipped the contact together VERY gently and seems to have worked.
Also - when I took the lead off, the spark plug end was dripping wet! - flipping coolant.

I syphoned of a good tea cup full off coolant which left a "tide matk' on the lead in where the plugs sit.
After that I dried out the chamber thingy with kitchen roll as I thought that would short the leads.
I just drove it into the garage about 15 feet but the engine sounds a lot smoother. So nex job when I get round to it is gasket - sometime later

 

[Burnerman]

Just a point to ponder, but Fords of this era with the Zetec engine were prone to the ingress of water through the bonnet louvre......soaking the plugs and filling the void with water!
This also had the effect of rusting the plugs big time.
John

 

[Mottie]

Also - when I took the lead off, the spark plug end was dripping wet! - flipping coolant.

I syphoned of a good tea cup full off coolant which left a "tide matk' on the lead in where the plugs sit.
After that I dried out the chamber thingy with kitchen roll as I thought that would short the leads.

Could be a leaking screen wash pipe or more likely, a corroded core plug in the head.

 

[Coaster]

Definitely the coolant leaking . Most likely through the gasket. It's colored and smells of coolant.

I think what's happened is it shorted the HT leads .
The leads I took out have a sticky tide mark and white powder deposits inside the connections.

Could I use a coolant leak product to stop this or is it better to replace the gasket?

 

[Burnerman]

I think you'll need to remove the rocker cover, and expose as much as you can down there.......a core plug failure sounds likely but they aren't always hellish to get to!
A coolant leak product will have short lived affects in my opinion.
I suppose the level in the expansion bottle is also dropping?
John

 

[Coaster]

Yes the coolant goes down to minimum level then appears to stop dropping. Thought it was evaporating but know where it's going now lol.

Never thought about the core plug thanks.

 

[Mottie]

Could be a leaking screen wash pipe or more likely, a corroded core plug in the head.

From memory, I don’t think there’s any gaskets that hold water in that area. I’ve done more than a fair few core plugs though. Very easy to get to with the cam cover off. They are facing upwards. Knock one side in with a screwdriver in the bottom edge of the plug until it turns 90° then pull it out. Clean up the hole and knock a new one in squarely with a bit of sealant on it using a socket and extension of the correct size. Don’t forget to fit a new cam cover gasket.