My check ingine light came on while I was on my last vacation. I had the code checked at the local dealer while some other work was being done. I was called a few hours later with the results,,,,
$510.55 to replace the plugs and wires!
There is no way in H_LL it could be that hard to do this job that it could possibly cost that much for a spark plug job could it?
I have always done this work myself but with this now at hand I am curious if any of you have done this yet and can give me some tips on getting it done.
Thank you

 

Ya, I just replaced mine the other day for about $12. That's for the plugs. The wires should cost about $10 to $15. Considering how extremely easy the spark plugs are to access, I would no way in hell pay that much for someone to do it for me. If you know what you are doing it will probably take you about a half hour at most to finish the job. I strongly recommend not having the dealer do it for you.

 

ya that was my thought as well but I keep reading on this site how difficult it is to get to the plugs/wires due tothe fuel rail system. Did you have any trouble with that?
I have the 4.6 v8- don't think I mentioned that before, maybe it will make a difference, I don't know. I have always worked on my own trucks/cars but after my control arm broke while changing out the shocks, (which is why my truck is at the dealer) I was thinking of having them do the plugs-especially after reading about how some people's plugs are blowing out of the engine!
HOWEVER, at over $500 for the job I told the dealer no thanks-

 

keep in mind that the dealer (or any repair facility) will charge you for the parts in addition to labor (by the hour). a job that may take you 2-3 hours to complete on your own, a shop wil charge for those hours even if the tech has it down to a 1 hour science.

 

here's a great Diy tech article on how to change your plugs on a 5.4/ 4.6L motor.
http://www.fordtrucks.com/forums/sho...2B%25252Bplugs


I used these directions, and many others have as well. Thanks Racerguy!

Here's my reccomendations.

Use only a double Platnium plug (unless you like to change plugs)....Motorcraft is best, but autolite will work.

A jointed spark plug socket is a must, in addition to 3/8'' and 1/4'' u joints in my opinion, as well as a number of extentions, 1/4 and 3/8 both.

Take your time do not force any thing at all!! It took me about 2.5 hrs.

Also make darn sure all dirt is gone from the spark plug wells, I hooked up a hose to my vaccum cleaner and that worked well for me.

 

Used the same set of direction this last week. Use it liberally and don't be afraid to use what works. Example: on the 5.4L COP engine, the third plug back on the driver side, I used a 1/4" drive 7MM with a 1/4" u-joint and a 1/4-3/8 male-female adapter into a 4" long 3/8" extension to the 3/8" drive wratchet to pull out the coil hold down screw. It was ugly, it worked, and that's all that matters.

Took me around 3 hours, but I didn't want to screw things up and I had the help of my 8 and 10 year old ("Hey Dad, Cam's got your socket!" "PUT DOWN THE ANTI-SIEZE BEFORE YOU HAVE IT ALL OVER YOURSELF!" "DAD, I'M BLEEDING ALL OVER FROM THE STICKER BUSHES" ). Man I love my kids.... keeps me on my toes.

Take note... just like the install directions here at the site say: you don't have to remove the fuel rail. I did have a few of the boots off the COP's on my 5.4 come off, but they can be easily reinstalled.

Product note: The autolites don't sit with the shoulder of the thread all the way down. I don't have a clue as to why they are designed with the long thread... box says OE. The autolites are about 1/4" longer. The OE single platinum motorcrafts definitely needed a change.

$510 is way out of line. I'm thinking $75US for labor an hour and $50US for material. At the most your looking at $225... still wouldn't pay it myself.

-Kerry

 

I'm not sure about US prices but in Canadian dollars the plugs are around $5 each, plug wires are $140 (ouch) for genuine Ford wires and the flat rate is around 2.5 hours to replace plugs and wires....I think.
f150-az your 4.2 is waaay easier to change plugs and wires than a 4.6. You're lucky

 

You are on a V6 with 1/4 of the parts less and you must have bought cheap non OEM stuff. No way you will get motorcraft wires for $15, even for 2 less cylinders. I wouldn't put any wire that's $15 on my truck. You get what you pay for and you will be in there changing wires in a year.

If you use the platinum Motorcraft plugs, they should be about $7.50 at the stealership? The wires, when I bought them were over $100 for a regular customer IIRC. So, there you have it, that's already about $150 in parts.

While there is no magic to it, this operation is rather involved, even for a trained mechanic. There is no true shortcuts. You have to fiddle with 2 feet of extensions and swivels in front of you ratchet. I am pretty sure it pays a technician 3-4 hours to do this job. And yes, most places, the technician is paid by job, not by the hour. If it pays 4 hours, that's what you will come up with and that's what the technician will see on his paycheck.

I think $500 is steep, but I don't think it is nuts either. I would consider paying someone to do this. I thought it was a huge PITA with much potential to mess up. Go to another stealership and compare.

George

 

i had a mechanic (not a dealer) replace the plugs on my '97 e150 with the 5.4 a while back. it was over $500. besides all the problems you guys have changing plugs on your f150s, on the van the engine sits about 3 inches below the dashboard. from the outside of the van the engine sits too far back for easy access, and from the inside it's too far forward to get to. i hated to pay for this (i've always changed my plugs myself) but there was no way i was going to be able to do this. the mechanic told me you wouldn't believe how much stuff he had to take off to get enough room to get to the plugs. he put in ford platinums, so hopefully i'll never need to change them again.

 

thanks to all for the great information. I have placed a call to Ford on this. I can't believe that they would create a design situation in which they could even justify charging someone over $500 for a freaking plug job.
I am going to give it a go- hell even if I fail its worth the 5 bills to try. Thanks again for the proceedure posting, my only concern at this point is do I have enough socket elbows to cover my needs on this job... ahhhh
love my truck--- hate the new complicated crap

 

I have to agree that the thrid plug back on the drivers side was a bear.....but a trip to the hard ware store for a 1/4 u joint and i was in buisness.....basically i did it as kerry stated it.

My Auto lites were identical in design and length compared to the old oems...I'm not sure what is up on that deal.

Just take your time and it will work out fine.....good luck!

Total cost for 8 Autolite DPs and 3/8 and 1/4 u joints came to about 50 bucks total.

 

That's what I like about my 4.2..............really easy to work on. Especially the oil change

 

Yes, but wait until the head gaskets pop!! Can you say cracked head?? 4.2 is a gloryfied old 3.8 head popper in disguise.
Jimmy

 

First, I would like to thank everyone for posting to this request.
I would also like to let everyone know that this was by far the easiest plug change I have ever done. I have no idea why the dealer would even try to charge me over 5 bills to do this. I would like to think that Ford would check up on the dealers from time to time to make sure they are no ripping off the same people that keep this Company alive by repeat purchasing.
I will say that because my truck is a 4x4 my chest was sore when I was done, I bet the 4x2 is even easier.
ONE BIG HINT- Follow the posted insturctions from this site and HAVE LOTS OF SWIVEL SOCKETS- If you can do those two things, you can do this job!
One last question/comment. All 8 of the plugs I pulled out of my truck were gapped at 45? and man were they ugly no wonder my check ingine light was on!
Why would someone place the wrong gapped plug into this truck? They were not even close to factory spec of 52-55. They were the correct plug if that counts for anything.

ANYWAY , thanks again to all-this is a great site...HAVE A GREAT DAY

 

Some people just take them out of the box and stick-um in without checking the gap. 45 may be right for something else that they also fit.
I always check mine before installing them. Doing it once is quite enough.
Jimmy