Spark Plug HELL
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New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
well got the truck back and there gonna get it back tomorrow and repair the fuel injector......plus put the 16 gallons of gas i lost in bout 10 miles of trying to get it home..........man im so (&^(*&^T* 
i only had the truck 2 hours and maybe 20 mmiles
i only had the truck 2 hours and maybe 20 mmiles
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I just bought a 99 with a blown out plug. My brother in law works for the local dealer and they let us use the tool they use. You do it with the head on the truck. First you basically clean out the hole, the use a large drill with grease on it to catch the shavings, then blow out the cylinder, then tap the hole larger, insert this goofy allow threaded insert/heli coil that Ford approves, then drill two tiny holes on each side of this insert, loctite it, then drive two pins in those holes. My brother in law has done 100s and never seen a problem again. It'd cost a normall customer a few hundred I think. The kit sells for $1000! Thank god for relatives!
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 3
From: WARRINGTON, PA
i'm never gonna change my plugs. cost me $127 from ford to diagnose a bad #7 coil. they wanted almost $700 to change 1 bad coil and replace all 10 plugs. i bought 2 motorcraft new coils from ebay with 2 plugs for $70. i didn't change the plug though. now i have another coil for the next time that one goes bad. it took like 4 minutes to replace it. not bad since this is the first thing that went wrong with my truck in 107,000 miles.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, NC
My local ford stealership wants almost $500 plus parts to change the plugs and boots. That is why I went and spent $60-$80 and bought all the parts myself at the local parts store. I still haven't changed them but I will sometime soon, always have more things to do.
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Being a mechanic/service writer for a dealership I hate telling people what it costs for repairs. I just think to myself "no way I'd pay this much to repair my car!". Then again I don't whine when the heater or a/c goes out or the kid needs some medical care and I'm sure they think the same thing when they give out estimates. It's all in the eyes. Now as a mechanic I know what I have to spend each year for tools just to keep making a living.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Plugs can be changed in a couple hours so why the high figures? The mechs around here get maybe 45 to 55 per hour. Just don't get ripped off. I do my own work so I don't have to pay but if I didn't I would shop around. Ask them what flat rate is to change plugs. Be carefull most garages are crooked! Not all!
Dick
Dick
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Blownoutsparkplug.com these guys go all over the country and are awesome!! they have a special way of fixing this, I saw them do it to my friends 98 expedition and it runs great!! these guys rock!!!
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
The most probable reason they back out is not tightened properly or over tightened and stripped. Thats why if you never had plugs changed don't wait for 100k. I did mine at 80k and now I know all is good, no guessing..
Dick
Dick
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Plug removal precautions??????
I just picked up a 99 with a 5.4L. It has 76K miles on it. I want to change plugs as I don't know if they have ever been changed. Are there any precautions I can take to lessen the chance of ruining the threads as I remove the plugs. I like the cold motor idea. I think I also heard someone mention "soaking the plugs before" does this make any sense? And what would a guy use. I will also try a search.....I'm sure this has been covered over and over. Oh yeah, is there any way to test the coils? (I think I have a bad one.
Thanks, Robby
Thanks, Robby
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Blow out the holes with compressed air before you pull em. If You could spray some penetrant first if you wish down the hole, I didn't. If the plugs are tight I don't see how anything will get by the seal but maybe water, its your call..Get stock mtotrcraft plugs never sieze small amount and torque 12 ft lbs. Do one at a time and have fun Its like brain surgery in the dark. LOL
Dick
Dick