So I am on a project away from my home in Idaho and working the Eagle-Ford Oil & Gas pipeline work near Floresville, Texas. I had previously priced a plug change at 2-3 Ford dealerships and also a couple of private auto fix places. Most all were over $700 and cost per plug was $23-31 each. The Floresville Ford quoted me $400 with all parts and labor. I had them change my plugs today. The actual charge came to $368 total. The mechanic that did the change showed me my old plugs. They were totaled with no full circle electrode left. It's a wonder my truck was running at all not to mention my pistons being burnt through. The Ford mechanic said on the 3-valve V-10's that one should change the plugs at 60-65,000 miles to be sure they are changed before they could go bad. He got my attention.

Pap

 

That’s great news that none of them broke off. Would you mind posting the build date of your engine. It is on the left side valve cover on a big white sticker. According to the wikapedia page engines built After 10/09/07 don’t have the issue of breakage. Also are your plugs different than the long shaft style ( or high thread style as they are also called).

 

Pappy even though Ford claims plugs can go nearly 100K miles in the modular engines every thread I've read here strongly suggest anything over 50K miles is not advised. Even if the plug tips are in good condition the issue of seized plug bodies is the biggest potential problem that can be avoided by a lower mileage change interval.

Your cost of $368 is a screaming great deal for a shop----glad you could find such a fair price!!

 

The tag was buggered up and I didn't see the date. I know my truck was one of the first Job 2 trucks in August 2007. Even though I saw the plugs he took out, I couldn't tell you which type they were. He did say that my plugs were the most common ones used.

Pap

 

Thanks for checking. Once again I'm super stoked none broke at 98k! good for you. Cheers

 

Pappy, you've moving along in mileage at 98000 for a 2008 model truck. My X is a 2002 and I'm at 100500 miles. By reading all of your other posts, your truck has been problem free which is a great thing! At the cost of these new trucks, one would expect for the vehicle to work right in its stock condition.

 

My 2008 V-10 has been totally trouble free from day one. I added the DiabloSport Predator after I had 5,000 initial miles, and programmed it on the 91 octane 50/50 performance-tow setting. I added the Airaid intake filter system at 30,xxx and the Magnaflow exhaust at 65,xxx miles. I tow heavy and my rig with me, a full tank of gas, and all my off road bumpers/crap weighs in at 8100 lbs on an F-250 shortbed 4X4 SC. As I have said before, this 2008 V-10 has been the very best truck I have ever owned. Since I am 67 years old and I have had quite a few 4X4 vehicles(that's the only type of vehicle I have owned) that's saying something.

When you consider that my wife's 2007 Lincoln LT has 42,xxx and my 1996 Bronco has 61,xxx miles, my 2008 has been the main travel vehicle and the major tow rig for our 2002 30' Airstream. Too bad that Ford dumped the V-10 since the Class C motor homes will also suffer.

Pap

 

i have to wonder at that price if the mech. actualy torqued the plugs to spec.

it takes extra time, and since the charge was so low $$$, i wonder if he just did em "wrench" tight method.

might be worth asking what torque they set em to.. if they dont know, or give you the wrong answer, well there you go..

personaly i'd want to know for sure the plugs were set in there correctly. or i'd be losing sleep over it.

 

I told the mechanic before he started, to work on my truck like it was his own mother's and that I was very particular about who touches my truck. He smiled and said that he loved his mother, so I am thinking he did the job right including the use of anti-sieze and torque. I also gave the mechanic a $20 tip.

Pap

 

Pappy on our '08's we will have either brown boots or black boots for the COPs and that tells which plug the truck gets, mine had the brown boots that took the newer plugs. Pics of plugs in my gallery. Which reminds me that I probably should change my plugs again before the weather turns to total crap. At 164,000 miles i guess it's getting close.

 

Mine is fixing to turn 100k this weekend, these trucks LOVE to run!! Pappy. thanks for the report, I'll add that to my list along with a million other things.

 

That's for sure. It has been the one reason I was reluctant to change my plugs since it was running so good, but I am glad I went and had it done. I have seen no real difference in the way it is running; maybe a little SOP, but could be my imagination. No difference in mpg but my right foot is the cause.

Eat a bunch of ribs at Bill's for me there in Chiefland, they are some oof the best I have tasted.

Pap

 

Bill's is my home away from home!! As sad as it is, I love the salad bar there! If you're ever in the area, look me up, I'm about five miles from Bills.
Ben

 

Hey thanks for that info. My 250's engine production date is 10/18/07 so I thought I was in the clear. But i think the coil packs are black . That truck is on the west coast and I won't be able to look at it for a few weeks. The 150 is June of '08 Thats in Florida I'll check that next Teusday.

 

I couldn't find plug pics in your gallery, any hints as to what I'm doing wrong