I called my local mechanic and he said he won't do the tune up on my 1999 Expedition because it took him 3 hours on a previous Expedition he did. Something about the spark plug or wires taking to long to change due to the akward position they are in.

I am to dish out $850 for a change of coils and wires at the local Ford dealer.

So does anyone know a HONEST mechanic in North Jersey who take pride in his work, has the equipment and gives Dealer competition?

M

 

You just want the plugs and wires changed?

There's no reason to replace the coils unless you're having a problem, even though some dealers say otherwise.

The plugs are difficult to get to but not impossible. That's what access panels and fancy wrenches are for.

 

I had a check engine light on and he said the codes indicated the coils where bad. The truck was bucking and my regular mechanic refuse to check it out because he said it was a pain.

M

 

It would have been nice if he told you which one's were bad, so they could be replaced and not having to replace all of them.

If you knew which ones, that would be much easier to approximate what it *should* cost. $850 dealer price tells me they are looking to replace about four of the eight coils and the plugs. If you had four dead coils you wouldn't get bucking - it wouldn't even catch when you try to start it.

How far north are you, did you go to Mahwah Ford on Franklin Turnpike? Or are you more south?

 

I took it to Wayne Ford...

In in the Passaic/Bergen Borders...

M

 

Plugs do show up as 3 hours labor so the guy isn't wrong on his labor. The last one I priced out was 3 hours labor.

 

and 3 hour labor run how much?

M

 

$85 per hour. If replacing coils along with plugs there shouldn't be any extra labor for coils. At least I would hope not from a reputable place. Are you sure you need coils?

 

I'll find out on Monday if I decide to take my car to the dealer.**I'm inquiring with buddies of mine to see if anyone knows a good mechanic locally.

M

 

what about attempting to do yourself? Save some cash if you got the time to do it. It's a bit of a pain but it can be accomplished in driveway

 

I dind't do well diassembling my toys car and putting them back together when I was younger. Always had extra piece which I didn't need. So I rather leave it to the experts.

M