Good Point

 

So finally a result on my spark plug issue. The plugs all came out but had to have 6 of them extracted. 2 of 8 came out with a regular wrench. I removed the truck from the shop I thought I trusted. They were unable to remove the plugs and were talking to me about removing the heads. I didn't like that idea so I took it to a Ford dealership 60 miles away for a fee of $300 with a tow truck. It took all day and a night of soaking to remove everything for a fee of $1000.00. I got it back and it runs new again. That's good news but I'm still not happy with the huge financial burden it left me with.

 

Let me get this straight it cost $1000 to extract 6 plugs???? I got a quote from my ford dealer of $300 to replace all 8 and that includes labor and parts.

 

That is IF nothing goes wrong!
I talked to my ford dealer about the cost and they said if anything breaks it is my expense.

 

I may be wrong but as a business I don't beleive that would everhold up in court they have a responsiblity as a qualified dealer to stand behind their work, but we did discuss that possibility and they said they have done quite a few with no problems???? I am a bit nervous though am going to do mine at 50K if I don't get rid of the truck in 08.

 

I think the same way except that before they start work they disclose the issues and possibilities. Otherwise, they don't do the work. I am trying to make a good argument for this for myself. I also have a problem with another shop that started the work. They couldn't get them out in the beginning and charged me $200.00 labor for failed work at which point I had to have the truck towed to the dealership at a cost of $300.00. So, I am also trying to form a good argument for this one as well. OUCH!!!

 

Well my lease is up in dec, and the truck is going back to them. I absolutely love the truck, but, for fear of these plug issues, I am going to buy a used Superduty, at least they make a timesert kit for the "blowing plug" issue. don't get mem wrong I still love my Ford's. Also according to Dateline NBC the other night, Ford has a 72% customer satisfaction rate, the others are only around 48%

 

I saw the same thing. I have thought about another truck but really, I like my F150 a lot. For the last 2 weeks, I've been driving around an '02 Ranger and an '04 BMW 325ci, I am happy to put those away and get back in my truck. I've also considered a Super duty even though I don't really need one.

 

I've been waiting and I'll say again, "the crap is about to hit the fan". Once all the 04' and 05's reach critical mass(100k), Ford is going to be in deep doo doo. People aren't going to agree to pay these "Ford Service Departments" 1-2000k bucks to fix something that should be and is classified as "Maintanance". I've been rebuked on here for making threats, but the actions will speak for themselves. It's insane that it will be allowed that Ford has been pushing these 5.4 3v stickers since 04' without having a resolution to this situation other than, "Oh well, if they break, you pay". Like I've said before, this will make(if Ford has a way of making sure this is resolved fairly) or break Ford. Who in their right mind will trust an automaker who knowly mass produces engines that result in owner catastrophe with routine maintanance? Not me or anybody else I can tell/persuade. I have 40k on mine and the clock's a ticking........................................... ...............................

 

Tom: I am with u 100% I don't see how at some point in time ford isn't going to have to do wlhat is right and it is just a matter of time a lot of people are getting to the magic number like Kevin above I really feel bad for him it just isn't right!!!!

 

I'll second that!! I'm with all of you guys. Its just a waiting game now. I also feel bad for guys that are buying these trucks used with almost 100k on them and then they try to do a simple plug change.

 

I do plan to dig a little deeper this week. Whatever information I get that might be helpful or insightful, I will post it. I can tell you that moving forward, I was told to remove apprx. every 30k to apply anti seize on the plugs is probably a good idea. Interesting huh.

 

what "blowing plug" issue? the 97-04 2v 5.4 and 2v 4.6 had plug blowing issues.

the 3v 5.4 and 3v 4.6 have since been fixed. non-issue for the 2004+ vehicles

it's nice to hear/see people love their Fords.

 

Wow I can't believe it cost you $1000. I have said it once on this thread but I'll say it again...Omeara Ford in the Denver, CO area quoted me $25.00 a plug "IF" they have to extract it. A normal plug change is $189 so even if they had to extract all 8 it would only be $389 plus tax. Don't get me wrong $389 for a plug change is insane but it sure beats $1000.

 

To KevinAH - That was all unfortunate for you. Sorry to hear about the time and expense that you went through to get new plugs. Glad you have it back now and it's running great.

To TomClem - I have a 2005 3V 5.4L SuperCrew with 111,000 miles on the clock. I changed the plugs and boots for the FIRST time over a week ago. I carefully followed the TSB on the procedure except that I did not buy the AeroKroil in the TSB since it was an on-line purchase. I, instead, went to Advance Auto and bought SeaFoam Deep Creep. I removed the COP/boot assembly on each plug, sprayed out the well with compressed air to remove dirt and debris, and then sprayed some Deep Creep into the well. I let this sit for about 45 seconds and then put on the proper socket and backed out the plug about 1/8th turn. I then waited about 10 minutes for the Deep Creep to wick down the plug threads to the ground shield and to soak into the carbon deposits. Next, I put a torque wrench on the socket and watched the torque while I backed out the plug. Ford says it will make some noise but should not require more than 34 pounds or so of torque. I heard all the creaking and groaning (very scary considering the cost of removing broken plugs) but the torque wrench did not register more than 34 foot pounds. There was a lot of carbon on each ground shield but the Deep Creep had soaked in very well and made the deposits very oily to the touch.

I replaced the plugs with the newer specked plugs for the 5.4L and put a little high heat anti seize on the ground sleeve only, not on the threads! I torqued the new plugs to 25 foot pounds as per the TSB. I put dielectric grease in the new boots, slid them on to the COPs and installed them.

No plug breakage and the truck runs like new. Took me about 3.5 hours. Cost of plugs = $65.00. Cost of boots = $64.00. Cost of Deep Creep = $4.00. Cost of anti-seize $3.00. Cost of dielectric grease = $2.00.

Comparable cost to have a dealer do this at shop rates = $600 (quoted price with no plugs breaking off).

Was I lucky. Don't really know. But, I do know that I took my time and followed the directions. Oh, and I warmed up the engine before the job and again after I had replaced numbers 5 through 8. The slight expansion of the aluminum apparantly helps as well.

I think countless others will have similar results. They just cannot cut corners in the process.

DMAC