My Tribute has just over 100k miles on it. Just recently (last two days) it has developed a very noticable engine mis-fire. The check engine flashes several times. After looking at the manual it indicated an engine mis-fire. With this being said I know that it is due for a set of plugs and need advice on how to change them out. The front three are a given, however the back three are under the intake manifold?????With the mis-fire being inconsistant I am thinking it may be a bad coil or maybe the crank sensor???? I don't have access to a scanner. Any help is VERY much appreciated. Thanks on advance for your help.

Matt (Dred's Tribute)

 

Usually (at least on GM products that is) a flashing SES means multiple misfires, not just one.
But Ford/Mazda products might be different. I haven't looked at ours in regards to how to change the plugs (ours only has 61,000 miles on it), so I can't help you there, but I would figure out how to get to the back 3 and change the plugs and wires first. If that doesn't fix the problem, look into a coil pack problem as 1 coil pack typically controls 2 plugs.

 

I would stop by an mechanic or auto parts store with an OBD scanner to see if they can pull any codes from the CEL that may be able to help pin point the exact issues. Let us know how you made out.

 

Can't tell you much except that each cyclender has it's own coil and can be replaced individually. And for those rear cylenders, good luck. The intake manifold has to be pulled to get at them. Mechanic wants 3 hours labor to do the whole job. My guy charges $80 per hour. Now throw in the parts, NOT CHEAP. I just did the front bank 4,5 & 6, because of a problem, and that was $80 plus $70 parts.

Think I'll buy and old muscle car.

BTW: There are no 'plug wires' on the Tribute.

 

Check this thread to a link to change the spark plugs (3.0L V6 is basically the same engine in both the Tribute and the Mazda6)

https://www.mazdaforum.com/m_85127/tm.htm

The rear 3 are a bitch.

 

you have to remove the intake to access the rear 3. You might what to replace the rear coils as well since they are so inaccessible. It takes me about 1.5 hours to do this job but I have air tools and the most important tool experence.

 

Just got done doing exactly that tonight. Facing the car from the front, you need to dismount your air hose assembly, then next your Idle Air Control valve which is the next one up, then dismount this other thing that looks like it's got a coke bottle top for a cap. (it's big and black). Then go directly to the back and unplug three small hoses from the engine cover. After that, you will need to dismount the throttle plate and all that that sits right on top of your engine cover to get to the screws that you need to loosen to get the cover off. On mine you just loosened them. You can't take them all the way out. After that, you'll barely have to pull on your engine cover to get it to come off and then the 3 back cylinders 1 2 and 3 will be exposed. If you need more help after that, you can email me at cbenjamin03@hotmail.com

The front cylinders are 6 5 and 4. I know the middle one in the front is 5 for sure.

Oh yeah, don't forget to unsnap the little electrical plugs of off the air hose assembly. No tools, they should pop out okay.

 

I went to replace the plugs on my Tribute today and got halfway into the job of removing the Intake Manifold..wow, is that a pain! Anyway, I tried several links in this and other forums trying to find a step-by-step with pictures to no avail. Anyone have some pics or can you point me to where I can find some? Thanks in advance...

 

Yeah man, what a pain. I just did my '02 Escape (same engine..why am I here? I have an '01 Tribute) today. I have a Haynes Ford Escape & Mazda Tribute repair manual and the only picture it has is the upper intake manifold bolt tightening sequence. The removal and installation sequence is all text. Unfortunately I have no links to pictures on this. The manual is $25 and worth it.