That sounds about right for the dealer to do a full plug change. Make sure you change the boots on the COPS when you do the plug change. The dealer will charge you about $6 per boot and there are 8 of them. The plug change is time consuming, do a search and you'll see lots of posts.
Wow, I can't believe it's that much to change plugs.
I have two questions though.
Should they charge for the diagnosis if I do the work there? They charged me $188 to diagnose the problem. Going back for the plugs so should they credit this back?
Also, what about the COPS themselves? I hear a lot about the COPS but fortunately I haven't had any problems.
I'm no expert on dealer practices, I expect they won't credit you for the diagnostics although $188 seems really high. If the hesitation is more of an occasional stumble you are probably experiencing a short from the COP (coil on plug), Usually the COP is not bad but the rubber insulators (boots) crack and allow the spark to arc to the block. Replacing the boots solves that problem.
It will really get expensive if they start wanting to change COPs, you have 8 and they go for about $80/ea at the dealer.
Many people on this site have changed the plugs theselves and there are lots of good DIY instructions if you search, you could save $400 if you're handy enough. Your other option is to let a private garage do the work, they are usually cheaper but if there is an issue you don't have the dealer to fall back on.
If you plan on doing the COPS, there are aftermarkets available for around 80 per set on ebay. There are discussions going on about them now, search around. Pretty good results and very favorable pricing.
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2003 Expedition EB 5.4, 4x4 now @ 121k miles on our 6th anniversary
2004 Expedition EB Premium 5.4, 4x4 now @ 64k miles
Gone but not forgotten;
1995 Bronco XLT 5.0, 4x4, 15k miles
1996 Explorer XLT 5.0, AWD, 75k miles
1999 Expedition EB 5.4, 4x4, 95k miles
If you will do it yourself I would say go and buy E3 spark plugs, I have a 5.4 expedition and it took the E353 plug. They are about 6 dollars a piece and I love them. The engine was a little more responsive. They are really high quality plugs and as a first time user of them I have to say they are awsome. I recomend them for anybody that plans on putting plugs in their vehicle.
As for the dealer, the price sounds about right. Don't forget the dealer always bumps up the price on the parts. I say if you are able to do the job yourself do it and use E3 plugs, they are just overall better. You can look up the specific plug for your vehicle on their website.
The only reason I'm even considering the dealer is because it's still under warranty. So if something else is wrong besides the plugs, it should be covered.
I'm going to ask if that price includes new cop boots, maybe they'll throw them in.
Does anyone have the cop boot part number and where to buy?
The dealer doesn't always bump up the price on parts. I say this because i work in parts at a ford dealer. Most sell parts trough the shop at list. That is the same price the most local garages sell parts that they buy from the dealer for. When you go to the dealer and have work done you are paying for warrenty. All work done at at the dealer has a 12m/12k parts and labor. That is worth something.
The dealer doesn't always bump up the price on parts. I say this because i work in parts at a ford dealer. Most sell parts trough the shop at list. That is the same price the most local garages sell parts that they buy from the dealer for. When you go to the dealer and have work done you are paying for warranty. All work done at at the dealer has a 12m/12k parts and labor. That is worth something.
That is such a bunch of baloney. Yes, the dealer discounts the cost of parts to garages then the garages bump the price back up to what the dealer would sell it for. However, The price of the dealer part was hyper-inflated to begin with. Take a look at something as simple as an alternator or starter. You'll find the one from the dealer is about 4X more expensive than an aftermarket one that lasts just as long, if not longer. This paying for the warranty is a gimmick as well. Work done on a vehicle, along with the parts used should last the 12m/12k anyways. So over-inflating the price of parts to cover warranty work is just another way of saying, "we don't back up our own stuff, the customer does."
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Talk to anyone who works where they build parts. My brother work were they build radiators, and he will tell you that the radiators that are not good enough to meat oe specs are sometime sold to the aftermarket. My father in law bought an autozone started because it was cheaper than my motorcraft. After 3 starters in 3 months later he put a motorcraft starter on and 2 years later it is working just fine. A guy had a truck towed in because his truck wouldn't start. After it was all said and done he needed a new battery and starter that were both put on the day before. I can go on and on. When you see things from my side of the counter and have the very local shops you all talk about tell you that they would rather use your parts because they work the first time. Or the guy that has had to replace timing belts on his 2.0l zetec 2x because the parts failed and now he wants to spend the money. As for the warrent i have stated several cases and can state many more were people would have benefited from that type of warr. Sure there parts were covered but not the labor. Plus that is good at any ford dealer any where.
From your side of the counter, those are the only stories you're going to hear. When was the last time someone came up to you to say the starter they bought at Autozone 3 years ago is still in their truck and running strong? Never, not because it's not true, but because that's human nature. No one is going to bitch and moan about a part they didn't have any problems with. Do you really think Autozone or any other part store is going to stay in business if they have to hand out 3 starters, alternators, etc. for every one that is purchased? How about those spark plugs that cost $2 aftermarket but the dealer charges $20 for? I suppose all of those with the name brands on them are junk too?
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I have never charged $20 for a spark plug and have never seen a $2 plug. Plus you are now compairing a platnum ford only 3v plug to a common plug used in everything. Nobody said that anything was junk i am just say you sometimes get what you pay for. No i don't here everything but i have been on these boards for a while and have been doing my job for 10 years now. I would say that i hear more than most people.
The only reason I'm even considering the dealer is because it's still under warranty. So if something else is wrong besides the plugs, it should be covered.
I'm going to ask if that price includes new cop boots, maybe they'll throw them in.
Does anyone have the cop boot part number and where to buy?
Thanks again.
I think we went a little off topic. Can someone answer the questions above?
i don't think that the price is bad. the would not cahange the boots unless they were bad. if it were mine and still under warr. i would let the dealer do it. that way if there is another problem it will be taken care of, ir if a problem rises latter there is no chance it will void warr.
Plus, if you are mechanically inclined, changing plugs on a 3V is something I suggest you do. It may look intimidating, but it's really not. After unplugging a few connectors and removing the computer/bracket on the passenger's side, you can get to the plugs pretty easily.
One comment I'll make is that removal of the plugs can seem.....uncomfortable. With ~73k on the clock, my plugs came out with resistance/drag all the way. I was a little worried with the first 2, but I was good with the rest.
And a suggestion, have a Lisle 65600 spark plug removal tool handy ( Amazon.com: LISLE 65600 5.4L Broken Plug Remover: Automotive ). I was fortunate not to need it, but I bought one just in case. Nothing worse needing a tool/part in the middle of doing a job.
Last but not least, torque spec on the plugs is 25lbs. I'm not use to such a high torque amount for plugs, so I triple checked with a repair manual, Ford tech connection I have, AND TSB 06-5-9.
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How much for plugs (P&L) on a 2005 Expedition?
