1999 spark plug problem
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1999 spark plug problem
Hey, I 'm brand new to this site. I just saw it a little while ago looking for information on my 99 Expedition. Here's the problem. Vehicle has about 69,000 on it and engine has started missing/skipping during acceleration at any speed. My local Dealer's service dept. says that a heater hose is leaking above one of the plug coils which in turn has damaged the #4 plug. I have never changed plugs on anything in my life, but looking at this forum have found some relatively easy instructions to go by. My father in law has a shop load of tools which I could use. He has looked under my hood and doesn't think he wants to mess with it. My main concerns and questions are: 1) If the vehicle had a leaking heater hose should I notice this on any other gauges? (i.e.-temp.) of which I have not encountered, 2) If I have one plug replaced should I have the other's replaced as well?, and 3) The cost the dealership is telling me to repair this (hose, coil, and one plug) is $273.00 plus tax. Does this sound reasonable or should I try this myself. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
1999 spark plug problem
First off, welcome to the #1 Ford site on the net!
Ahh....the #4 plug/coil heater hose problem. The dealer ended up replacing the clamp on that hose with a more reliable type (I think it's now the standard hose clamp) Anyway, they ALL dripped down and destroyed the #4 plug/coil.
To be honest, the $273 for all of that isn't too bad, IMO. I was charged about $250 to replace just the #1 coil (not that I couldn't do it myself; I don't have a code scanner to tell me which one was bad.)
the #4 is a real pain in the butt to get at.
On the other hand, you could do the job yourself for under $10. Are you mechanically inclined at all? If you're not, a hard-to-reach spark plug isn't really the place to test your skills - if you overtighten it, you're in for a world of hurt.
Before we dive into the exact process to get the job done, you have to decide whether or not it's worth $273 to have someone else do it for you. It's not impossible, but it sure is a pain in the rear.
XXL
Ahh....the #4 plug/coil heater hose problem. The dealer ended up replacing the clamp on that hose with a more reliable type (I think it's now the standard hose clamp) Anyway, they ALL dripped down and destroyed the #4 plug/coil.
To be honest, the $273 for all of that isn't too bad, IMO. I was charged about $250 to replace just the #1 coil (not that I couldn't do it myself; I don't have a code scanner to tell me which one was bad.)
the #4 is a real pain in the butt to get at.
On the other hand, you could do the job yourself for under $10. Are you mechanically inclined at all? If you're not, a hard-to-reach spark plug isn't really the place to test your skills - if you overtighten it, you're in for a world of hurt.
Before we dive into the exact process to get the job done, you have to decide whether or not it's worth $273 to have someone else do it for you. It's not impossible, but it sure is a pain in the rear.
XXL
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New User
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1999 spark plug problem
Thanks for your advice XXL. I have dabbled with some stuff like fluids and belts, that type of thing, but nothing like this. It might be best if I leave it to the shop if that price sounds fair. I can't afford to mess up anything else fixing this. Thanks for your input.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
1999 spark plug problem
No problemo. I've been working at this stuff for a few years now (since I was 16; I recently turned 21) and I wouldn't have any problem doing this myself, but then again, I was pulling engines and whatnot when I was a senior in High School (seems like ages ago - I'm "retired" now, meaning I only work on my car and my girlfriend's car. I've got enough experience to know that I don't particularly "love" working on cars)
IMO, you're not getting ripped off, so I would take it to the dealer without fear. Next time, however, we're gonna show you how to DIY and save you some cash. Besides, you're not really a member of FTE until you've broken something on a vehicle while trying to "fix" the vehicle in question. A spark plug/head is not the place to satisfy that prerequisite.
Take care and don't be a stranger!
XXL
IMO, you're not getting ripped off, so I would take it to the dealer without fear. Next time, however, we're gonna show you how to DIY and save you some cash. Besides, you're not really a member of FTE until you've broken something on a vehicle while trying to "fix" the vehicle in question. A spark plug/head is not the place to satisfy that prerequisite.
Take care and don't be a stranger!
XXL
