Author Topic: $320+spark plug change-ouch (Read 2370 times)

gypsyman · « **on:** September 03, 2009, 01:22:06 PM »

Well, in the not to distant future,within the next month, I have to bit the bullet. My 2004 Ford E-150 is going to need a plug change. I've got 77,000+ miles on it, and the owners manual says to change at 75,000 miles. So I took it to my friendly mechanic, had the tranny oil changed, and asked him to do a regular plug change. Well, it seems that in 2004, Ford had a change over, somewhere in the middle of the year. And I have one of the new ones. My friendly mechanic, who really is a nice guy, wouldn't touch this job with a 10' pole. So I called the dealer where I bought the van.
The $320 was what the service man said,IF, everything goes well. He said, if a plug gets snapped, they have 2 different tools they might have to use, to get the broken ones out, if that occurs. And of course, being a van, the center 2 plugs on both sides, are somewhere sandwiched in between the frame and the heads. I took one look, and I don't think I could even get my fat hands in there. The price could go up, if they get into problems. Great!!
I guess the only saving grace is, the service man said, the new plugs would be double platinum tipped, and should last 80,000 to 90,000 miles. About 4-5 years worth of driving for me. Oh well, cheaper than a new van. gypsyman

30-30man · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2009, 01:27:48 PM »

Yeah these new vehicles are tough to do a plug change. I was quoted about the same thing for my Hemi. I decided to do the 16 plug change myself. It was worth the $300 when I got finished. Never will I do it again.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2009, 03:41:07 PM »

Quote from: 30-30man on September 03, 2009, 01:27:48 PM

Yeah these new vehicles are tough to do a plug change. I was quoted about the same thing for my Hemi. I decided to do the 16 plug change myself. It was worth the $300 when I got finished. Never will I do it again.

Really? I'm getting close to doing mine. I know it's gonna be a pain but it isn't worth $300?

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2009, 03:44:03 PM »

I never change plugs.

ToadHill · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2009, 04:10:54 PM »

When I was a kid I worked in a repair shop and we had a guy come in with a DeSoto. He needed a tune up and to change the plugs we had to cut holes in the fender wells. We found that the dealer actually had a "Repair" kit that consisted of rubber plugs to fill the holes with.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2009, 04:30:50 PM »

Had a GMC Jimmy and the starter went bad. Had to unbolt the motormounts and jack up the motor to get the starter out. They must completely assemble the motor before they put it in the frame. I would imagine it is the same with the plugs. I had a ford ranger that I could only replace 5 plugs on it.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 03, 2009, 04:33:14 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on September 03, 2009, 03:44:03 PM

I never change plugs.

If you have nothing to say about a subject, then don't say anything!

mechanic · « **Reply #7 on:** September 03, 2009, 05:03:26 PM »

Most likely your vehicle was shipped with double platinum plugs, and unless you do a lot of city driving or stop and go, I wouldn't get in too big a hurry to change them. We have service vehicles in our fleet with well over 200,000 miles on the original plugs. If gas mileage suffers, or if when in a hard pull or climbing you feel a miss, change them. The easiest way to change the plugs is to loosen both motor mounts, and lower the engine slightly on one side by jacking the other. I know it sounds odd, but it worked for me.

By the way, the price is not that excessive. This ain't no easy job......and the plugs are over $6.00 each wholesale.

Ben

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** September 03, 2009, 11:33:16 PM »

My point is they don't need changing.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #9 on:** September 04, 2009, 04:33:06 AM »

My car is just about ready for a plug change, once in a while it will run a bit rough, with 90,000 on it... With gas prices the way they are, if your milage goes down much, your better off to change them out. I change rotor, cap, plugs and plug wires when i do it, and by the time it needs it again, it's someones elses car!

DM

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #10 on:** September 04, 2009, 04:12:08 PM »

I went to Nappa last Friday and bought platinum tipped plugs,wires,cap roter and O2 sensor. It cost me $85.00 there I took the bag of goodies to the guy that works on my truck and asked what it would cost for him to install these items in my truck. He said he would do it for $50.00. It really only took him about an hour and a half. The thing is I drove it home and parked it. I only live a couple miles from there. I had to go to Pittsburgh the next day and the service engine soon light come on about half way there.

I gave him a call and he said to bring it in and he would take a look as to why. Well tomorrow I will be taking it in. He must have done something wrong for this to happen. I just don't know what. Dale

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #11 on:** September 05, 2009, 05:08:12 AM »

Oddly enough I agree with swampman. The best thing you can do to a SOHC Ford truck engine is to NEVER change the plugs. You don't want to trust ANYONE with this job without literally standing over thier shoulder watching all 8 or 10 plugs getting changed. The plugs in this engine should be good for close to 200k if it's not missing and your mpg hasn't dropped off I'd do my best to pass the buck on this one to the next owner

don't believe me? Just google "ford blowing out plugs"

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #12 on:** September 05, 2009, 06:28:58 AM »

Remember the 1980's Pontiac Fiero with the V6? you needed to loosen a motor mount and tip the engine to get to a spark plug

BBF · « **Reply #13 on:** September 05, 2009, 06:57:19 AM »

I've got a 08 Canyon with the 2.9 liter engine. Without dismantling something I haven't even seen the spark plugs

oldandslow · « **Reply #14 on:** September 05, 2009, 12:46:19 PM »

My little SUV just rolled up 120,000 miles and that is time for it's first set of plugs according to the owner's manual. They have to be iridium plugs, whatever the heck that is. I can't see anything but a great big cover over the engine and a little bit of one exhaust header. I can't bend over long enough to work on anything anymore so off to the mechanic it goes. I can't tell any difference in the way it runs except it's mileage as dropped off a little in the last three months. Guess I'll get them changed pretty quick.

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #15 on:** September 05, 2009, 02:21:54 PM »

Apparently swampman has never owned a ford taurus. Ours bucks and cackles everytime the plugs are going bad.

In our '98 f250 we change them every 150k like the manual says to do. That ones not hard once you figure out the tools you need.

30-30man · « **Reply #16 on:** September 05, 2009, 03:50:44 PM »

The hemi has 16 plugs and 8 of them are underthe coil packs. Dodge doesn't use platinum plugs in the hemi. The front ones are easy to get out, but the back ones are a pain. There is just not enough room...If i didn't have my extensive sort of tools, i would not have been able to do the job. The plugs are about 5 inches down in a hole and you only have about 1/2 inch before you hit the fire wall. I have some very thin finger ratchets that saved me. If I didn't have those I don't know how I would have changed them.....I will never do that again...My poor back can't lean that far over a motor anymore.

BBF · « **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2009, 08:14:50 AM »

I've had an older Caddy, without an airtool I doubt you could get the rear plugs out.

mauser98us · « **Reply #18 on:** September 06, 2009, 09:15:42 AM »

2 words---diesel power

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #19 on:** September 06, 2009, 09:41:14 AM »

Quote from: mauser98us on September 06, 2009, 09:15:42 AM

2 words---diesel power

There is a lot to be said about black smoke

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #20 on:** September 06, 2009, 04:34:04 PM »

Quote from: mauser98us on September 06, 2009, 09:15:42 AM

2 words---diesel power

That'd be nice but i seen to darn many problems with diesels around here. Injectors are failing left to right.

Swampman · « **Reply #21 on:** September 06, 2009, 04:42:36 PM »

Quote from: bigblock455 on September 05, 2009, 02:21:54 PM

Apparently swampman has never owned a ford taurus. Ours bucks and cackles everytime the plugs are going bad.

In our '98 f250 we change them every 150k like the manual says to do. That ones not hard once you figure out the tools you need.

Antiques may be a different story.

ihookem · « **Reply #22 on:** September 09, 2009, 03:27:39 PM »

05 gmc diesel, 119k on it. Have not changed the plugs yet. I have an 05 Sunfire with 99k and can't even see the plugs but it runs real good. I never knew you could go that long without new plugs. Thanks you all might have saved me 320 bucks.

30-30man · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2009, 11:15:49 AM »

A diesel has glow plugs and that is very different from a spark plug. The glow plug just heats the combustion chamber. Combustion happens because of compression and heat. That is why diesels get much better mileage when running hot..That is why you see them idling all the time at truck stops. Glow plugs can go much longer than spark plugs.

yooper77 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 10, 2009, 11:27:39 AM »

I never let any service center work on my vehicles.

If they can do it so can I, all it takes is patience and know-how. I have both fortunately.

yooper77

Drilling Man · « **Reply #25 on:** September 10, 2009, 12:47:31 PM »

Quote from: 30-30man on September 10, 2009, 11:15:49 AM

A diesel has glow plugs and that is very different from a spark plug. The glow plug just heats the combustion chamber. Combustion happens because of compression and heat. That is why diesels get much better mileage when running hot..That is why you see them idling all the time at truck stops. Glow plugs can go much longer than spark plugs.

UNLESS you get a REAL diesel.

My Cummins doesn't have glow plugs, and i'm HAPPY it doesn't!

DM

1marty · « **Reply #26 on:** September 10, 2009, 02:49:05 PM »

I don't change the plugs until the vehicle starts huffing and puffing or gas milage really gets bad. Some of these mechanics are over the top with "preventive maintenance"

30-30man · « **Reply #27 on:** September 10, 2009, 04:01:47 PM »

The newer direct injection diesels don't. I just didn't want the poor fellow ruining an afternoon looking for something that wasn't there.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #28 on:** September 11, 2009, 04:57:04 AM »

Quote from: 30-30man on September 10, 2009, 04:01:47 PM

The newer direct injection diesels don't. I just didn't want the poor fellow ruining an afternoon looking for something that wasn't there.

HUH? Only the Cummins doesn't have glow plugs, the rest ARE DI, but still have glow plugs...

DM

jiminpa · « **Reply #29 on:** September 11, 2009, 06:31:53 AM »

my 2002 f250 changed the plugs automaticly.shot 3rd back on right side,then 3rd back on left side.didn't have to tuch them!!! ford wouldn't stand behind their product and wanted $3000.0
0 per head to fix it.i put inserts in and sold it.never will my buttcheeks ride in a ford product again!!!