Coil replacement question
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 80
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From: New England
Coil replacement question
I posted below about possibly buying a 97 F-150 but during the test drive the check engine light came on. Well... we got it scanned and it is the #2 coil that is bad. The truck is about 1.5 hours from here and the guy who wants to sell it wants me to worry about the repair if I want the truck (he doens't want to put more money into it at the price he is selling for). I priced the coil and it is only about $50 so I will buy the truck. I need to know from you experts here though what I need to change the coil on the truck when I get to his place (and also if it's reasonable to assume I can do it easily). I need to know what tools to bring (1/4" drive, 3/8" drive, deep sockets/shallow sockets things like that) I assume it's all metric. Also I need to know whta coil is the #2 coil (looking from the front of the truck twards the windshield). I hope this is an easy and quick job to do! The plugs are olny a few months old so the plug boot should come off easy enough. Thanks in Advance!
-Steve
-Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Coil replacement question
You're in luck....#2 coil is probably the easiest one to replace on the truck 
It is the second one from the front on the passenger's side.
The coil is held on with one 7mm or 9/32 head screw and has one connector. Unplug the connector, unscrew the screw and then just pull the coil out. You might find it easier to get at if you turn the fuel injector a bit to get it out of the way. You'll see what I mean when you start.
I would take along a new plug for it too and probably replace that while I was in there. It just takes a long extension or 2 and a 5/8 plug socket.
Let us know how it goes.
It is the second one from the front on the passenger's side.
The coil is held on with one 7mm or 9/32 head screw and has one connector. Unplug the connector, unscrew the screw and then just pull the coil out. You might find it easier to get at if you turn the fuel injector a bit to get it out of the way. You'll see what I mean when you start.
I would take along a new plug for it too and probably replace that while I was in there. It just takes a long extension or 2 and a 5/8 plug socket.
Let us know how it goes.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 80
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From: New England
Coil replacement question
COOL! Sounds easy enough. I hope to hear from the bank tommorow about the loan. I shouldn't have any problems though. As for the coil I did some looking around on this site and see that dealers get about $45 for the coil. Autozone sells them for $55?? Thats stupid! After working at a parts store for almost 3 years I know that happens sometimes though. People always think that dealer is ALWAYS more when sometimes they are less or comparable. Factory parts always seem to fit best too. I'll let you know how it all turns out.
-Steve
-Steve
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 222
Likes: 4
From: NE PA
Coil replacement question
If your talking about the 5.4L engine (I assume you are) I think the bolt holding the coil down is 8mm and not 7. I could be wrong, but I'd hate to have you drive all that way without the right socket. Good luck!
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 80
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From: New England
Coil replacement question
I think I'll just bring both metric and standard 1/4" drive socket racks I have. I'll just make up a little toolbox and bring it along. I guess if I have 1/4" drive sockets/racket/extensions and some 3/8" drive with some sockets I'll be fine. I'll of course bring screwdrivers and some pliers "just in case" since you never know when you might need them. Thanks again for the replies. I hope to know about the loan tommrow and hopefully Wed or Thursday I can pick it up.
-Steve
-Steve
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Coil replacement question
If you replace the sparkplug, be sure and use compressed air to blow any loose stuff out before removing it. Sand and rocks have a way of getting inside that area. Take a good look at the plug when you do, it will give you a indication of how the others are wearing.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 80
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From: New England
Coil replacement question
Well I guess dealers in my area are EXPENSIVE! I went to pick up a coil today after reading here that you an get them for $45 at the dealer. I went in and asked for the price just to make sure and he said $97!!!! I repeated it to make sure and he said again $97. Well I thanked him and went to a different Ford dealer about 10 min away. Same deal... $97! I ended up getting one at Autozone for $55. It has a warranty (only 3 months).... I hope Wells stuff is OK. If not I'll have to spend more next time. Do Ford dealers price themselves or is it set by area or corporate etc? I was shocked when he said it was $97. I know some people here work at dealerships so I'm eager to hear how the pricing structure works. On a more positive note I got the loan so now it's just a matter of time for the paperwork to go though! WOO HOO my 1980 F-150 can be replaced!
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Coil replacement question
Ford does set the "suggested" list price but the dealer can sell parts for whatever he wants. Quite often good customers will get a break and get parts at wholesale prices. Other times the dealer will add on to the suggested list price if the part is something that he knows you can't get anywhere else. I guess the moral of the story is to shop around. In my opinion most of the time the genuine Ford parts are better and might be worth paying a bit extra for...as long as you're not getting gouged.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 80
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From: New England
Coil replacement question
I guess that explains it. I'm not a good customer (never been there before) and honestly hope not to ever be a good customer because that means that I am having problems with the truck. I'll have to talk to a friend that is a wrench next time to see if he can help me out. I know he gets good prices from dealers. He also has a '98 Expy so he may have replaced a few coils already.
-Steve
-Steve
