Has anyone ever paid to have their spark plugs changed at the dealer. I would just like to get an idea of the cost. I have a 04 screw with 36000 on her. I tried to take the plugs out to put anti-seize on them but they seemed really tight. Plus my extension that I have barely got up high enough to get a good amount of torque on the ratchet. I am just considering letting them deal with it, as I dont want to break one of the plugs off in the head. I have read the TSB it doesnt seem that bad, maybe I just felt like I was putting to much torque on the ratchet. Oh well, I appreciate everyones input.

 

IF the dealer breaks a plug, you still pay for everyone they break. If they can not get them out, then they pull the heads, and it gets expensive quick.

Unless you plan on keeping the truck well over 100,000 miles, I wouldn't worry about them.

 

Yeah thats the thing, I plan on getting this paid off and then buying an older muscle car. The idea is to keep the truck for a long while, thats why I am even thinking about it.

 

5.4L huh? well i know that a dealer does a maint 4 for roughly $600, which includes a oil change tire rotation if neccesary, brake maint, plugs,tranny serviice,diff service and more

 

Yeah, its the 5.4. The 600 wouldnt be to bad. Did they have any problems when they changed your plugs out. It does bother me because I am a do it yourselfer, and I just dont know about this one. Ive built engines, pulled trannys. You name it Ive probably done it. But when I think about this if I broke one of the plugs the cost to get it towed in, to have them mess with it then. Im just trying to weigh my options.

 

oh they didn't do my plugs, i work as an apprentice at a dealer and i've been there for a few 5.4 plug changes, most go well, if your doing it yourself the trick is to use lots and lots of penetrating fluid, i know what you mean working on these newer trucks is nerve racking

 

Yeah, and the thing that gets me is that they try to reinvent the wheel when the wheel worked just fine! This isnt my first Ford, nor will it be my last but when something works good just leave it alone! Ok rant over.

 

I just got mine back from the dealer. 2005 with 110,000. The plug change went as follows.

6 broken 2 fine $ 718.00 dollars

 

had mine done with 80000 klm at dealer none broke also had tranny flushed total $600 including taxes plugs and labour $ $320
Truck runs great

 

I vote you leave them alone until 100k...but

if you want to do it anyways, I suggest you do it at home first. Most repair shops have agreements with towing companies. If they do the work, the tow is free. Just call the dealership real quick and find out.

If the tow is free, what is there to lose? if nothing goes wrong, you pocket the $$$...if a plug breaks, then you would have paid for it anyways right?

 

Try it at home if you want...I'd wait for 100k...

 

I would do it at about 65,000 to 75,000. My dealer did mine at 65,500 with no problems. The cost was $325. They followed the TSB. I plan on having them do it again after 65,000 more. I also had the boots on the COPs replaced, tranny flush and oil change. Altogether, it was about $600.

 

pretty sad that these trucks have gotten people happy about paying 300-600 dollars for a spark plug change...

I think the last plugs I put in the mustang ran me 8 dollars plus tax (for all 8)

 

I got mine changed by the stealer at 35K ('05 FX4). I bought a set of one-piece Champion plugs online at sparkplugs.com and had the stealer use the non-breakable plugs. In removing the original plugs, two broke despite following the TSB from Ford. Since I was under 36K, the truck was on warranty. The cost was $205 to change the plugs (including broken) plus ~$110 for the new Champion plugs. PS...when plugs break there is in the TSB a method for removing the broken plugs...heads don't need to be removed etc...

 

heads don't always need to be removed, but the method to remove the plugs doesn't always work, leaving nothing else to do other than to remove the heads.