Going to the dealer. Any pointers?
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Going to the dealer. Any pointers?
So, I'm taking our 2000 F-250 SD to the Ford dealership on thursday for a tune-up. Mechanic says there are two options, regular tune-up (does not include plug change (what??? Silly me, I thought plug change was part of EVERY tune-up...)), and a maxi tune-up which includes a plug change. Cost $300 vs $400. Our truck, which we bought about a month ago, has 167k on it, so I opted for the maxi version, since I want a reset on the "plug timer". However, when I asked about the COP getting changed, he said "No, there's no need for that, and that'll get very expensive if we do that". I seem to remember you guys saying "change the COP's when you change the plugs".
Being a rookie, I'm not sure what to do here. Anyone have any ideas on what I should insist on regarding this tune-up? I think our truck has short thread plugs (at least originally, not sure what's in there now). Should they put longer thread plugs in? Will they use those zinc plated (or whatever is not steel) plugs, or is there a chance they'll use steel still?
Any input is very much appreciated!
Being a rookie, I'm not sure what to do here. Anyone have any ideas on what I should insist on regarding this tune-up? I think our truck has short thread plugs (at least originally, not sure what's in there now). Should they put longer thread plugs in? Will they use those zinc plated (or whatever is not steel) plugs, or is there a chance they'll use steel still?
Any input is very much appreciated!
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Pa
You don't have to change the COPs when doing a plug change however it is a good idea to change the COP boots that provide the seal between the COP and the plug.
I get the plugs and COP boots changed. Use the plugs that are direct Motorcraft replacements.
I get the plugs and COP boots changed. Use the plugs that are direct Motorcraft replacements.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: NE Texas
If you know the techs, or at least the tech that will be working on your engine, then by all means let him do the plugs. Hopefully he has the latest intel on it and does it properly - you might want to ask him about that.
As far as the newer, plated plugs: I can't imagine them not using the latest design. It's not that the extra threads will actually help you, it's the plating that does the trick.
COPs - they are either bad or not - there's no in between. If they are working fine, then don't change them yet. They're easy to replace and are not as expensive as they once were. I would hope that they check the boots, however. This is something you might have to ask him to do. Not everyone can actually see the damage in a boot, so it could save you time and a headache or two of you just replace all the boots and be done with it.
How many miles on the truck?
Oops - on edit - I see dkf has filled you in already.
As far as the newer, plated plugs: I can't imagine them not using the latest design. It's not that the extra threads will actually help you, it's the plating that does the trick.
COPs - they are either bad or not - there's no in between. If they are working fine, then don't change them yet. They're easy to replace and are not as expensive as they once were. I would hope that they check the boots, however. This is something you might have to ask him to do. Not everyone can actually see the damage in a boot, so it could save you time and a headache or two of you just replace all the boots and be done with it.
How many miles on the truck?
Oops - on edit - I see dkf has filled you in already.
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Well, I just got a phonecall from the dealership. 3 boots are bad and need to be replaced. I remembered what you guys said about changing all while you're at it, so I asked how much for all, and he said "Well, it's $24 per boot, so $240 for all 10...". Needless to say, I told him to change the 3, cause I remembered someone here talking about even $12/boot being expensive.
Maybe I'll brave changing the rest myself... Sheesh.
Maybe I'll brave changing the rest myself... Sheesh.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Brazoria, Texas
Man I am really a rookie... what is a COP... I beleive I have leared reading past spark plug ploblems and have learned each plug has a coil.. I assume thats what the COP is??? I know what they say about assuming as well... I need to change mine as well and guess I am going to change the ten boots as well.. How hard is it to change the boots??
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: NE Texas
Yes, the COP is the coil. Changing the boots is easy - just remove one screw that holds the COP, disconnect the COP, replace the boot.
Boots can be bought for as little as $8.50 to $9.00 each.
Boots can be bought for as little as $8.50 to $9.00 each.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Pa
Originally Posted by rem260man
Thanks a lot!!! What does COP stand for???
Make sure to put a bit of dielectric tuneup grease in each end of the COP boot as well as put nickel anti-seize on the plug threads. The grease helps seal the boot to the coil and the plug and helps to provide a moisture resistant seal. The anti-seize helps prevent galling in the aluminum heads.
I paid $9.00 per boot. 10 MC platinum plugs and 10 boots was $191.00 with tax. (From the local Stealership)
Last edited by dkf; Sep 6, 2007 at 05:25 PM.
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From: NE Texas
Originally Posted by mrnolmts
Well, I just got a phonecall from the dealership. 3 boots are bad and need to be replaced. I remembered what you guys said about changing all while you're at it, so I asked how much for all, and he said "Well, it's $24 per boot, so $240 for all 10...". Needless to say, I told him to change the 3, cause I remembered someone here talking about even $12/boot being expensive.
Maybe I'll brave changing the rest myself... Sheesh.
Maybe I'll brave changing the rest myself... Sheesh.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Brazoria, Texas
price of plugs
Thanks a lot guys.. I have another question.. I can add a little and $9.00 for boots is $90.00.. I was told by a fellow the plugs I wanted were about $5.00 a peice. I went to an O'Reily's just to check and the motoecraft plug they showed me was $2.99 ea. The plug was motorcraft and it did actually say PLATIUM on the plug. The number matched what my owners manual says use.. Is this the wrong plug or a really good price? The $90 for boots and the $30.00 for plugs is $120.00.. Thats a ways from the $191.00. I don't want to get the wrong plugs!!! What do ya'll think???
Originally Posted by dkf
COP = Coil On Plug
Make sure to put a bit of dielectric tuneup grease in each end of the COP boot as well as put nickel anti-seize on the plug threads. The grease helps seal the boot to the coil and the plug and helps to provide a moisture resistant seal. The anti-seize helps prevent galling in the aluminum heads.
I paid $9.00 per boot. 10 MC platinum plugs and 10 boots was $191.00 with tax. (From the local Stealership)
Make sure to put a bit of dielectric tuneup grease in each end of the COP boot as well as put nickel anti-seize on the plug threads. The grease helps seal the boot to the coil and the plug and helps to provide a moisture resistant seal. The anti-seize helps prevent galling in the aluminum heads.
I paid $9.00 per boot. 10 MC platinum plugs and 10 boots was $191.00 with tax. (From the local Stealership)
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From: Long Island USA
I payed $3/each for Standard-brand boots, jobber price (basically wholesale).
The Standard boots were identical to the stock ones I pulled out, except for a breather of some sort that went up to the top of the boot - probably to vent pressure/vacuum outside instead of blowing the seal at the hole and sucking in water/dirt when cooling off.
Anyway, you should be able to find those boots for less than $9 ...
Motorcraft plugs are not a whole lot of money - the plain-jane platinums are what you should put in there. If the number matches, so much the better!
The Standard boots were identical to the stock ones I pulled out, except for a breather of some sort that went up to the top of the boot - probably to vent pressure/vacuum outside instead of blowing the seal at the hole and sucking in water/dirt when cooling off.
Anyway, you should be able to find those boots for less than $9 ...
Motorcraft plugs are not a whole lot of money - the plain-jane platinums are what you should put in there. If the number matches, so much the better!
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Pa
Just make sure the numbers are the same. They charged me $6.00 for each single platinum MC plug. I wanted to get everything at once. The price is why I refer to the dealership as the Stealership, markup and they know how to use it.
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Just picked up the truck. Seems to run just fine. They charged me $6 per plug as well.
So, since my truck has a K&N air filter, which apparently was a bit dirty, they told me they took that out, and put a stock filter in. So, off to search for a topic on cleaning up my K&N filter, I guess
Or, should I just leave the stock filter in?
Again, thanks for all the info. It's appreciated.
So, since my truck has a K&N air filter, which apparently was a bit dirty, they told me they took that out, and put a stock filter in. So, off to search for a topic on cleaning up my K&N filter, I guess
Or, should I just leave the stock filter in?Again, thanks for all the info. It's appreciated.
Last edited by mrnolmts; Sep 6, 2007 at 09:20 PM.