Bought a set of Bosch from eurocarparts a few weeks ago, only just had the time and nice weather (not raining and freezing cold) to service the car.

As I understand it the recommended plug gap is now 1mm, not 1.3mm? I've got a set of feeler gauges to check when I go out to do it. I did read that this was only applicable after a software upgrade from Ford? Or is it 1mm regardless? I don't know if my car has the software upgrade or not.

Secondly. what torque should they be tightened to?

Unrelated, but the air filter box has a siezed bolt (spins in its hole with the nut spinning too). I'm open to drilling it out, but do I have to use a specific fitting to replace it with, or can I use any stainless steel nut and bolt to prevent further rusting? I didn't do the air filter last year, haven't got one this year either due to this problem, but I may as well do it as its cheap.

Thanks! :)

Torque to 15Nm (11 lb-ft)

I definitely noticed an improvement after re-gapping the plugs to 1.0mm, No more stuttering when pulling away.

It is supposed to increase the life of the coil pack too.

Cannot see any reason why a software update would be required just for re-gapping.

1.0mm is recommended. 1.3mm was recommended when the engine was first launched many years ago. It gave a fatter, better spark but was found to put too much load on the coil pack and HT leads so now its 1.0mm.

The software update isn't necessary that was simply to iron out the idling on the car as said 1.0mm as for the airbox the easiest solution is get a few long thin bolts with nuts and use them the threads are just plastic on the airbox and can start to wear

Any recommendations on spark plug gapping tools? My dad can't find his one, I don't mind buying one myself if its only a few pounds, just using the old plugs for now.

I changed the oil yesterday, managed to drop the sump plug right into the small hole of the tank collecting the old oil. It was rather awkward finding containers to pour it into to dig out the sump plug