Spark plug blow-out question?
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Spark plug blow-out question?
My friend has a 1998 or 1999 f150 and had a spark plug blow out. The shop he took it to is telling him the inserts are not very good and they usually get them back in a few
months with the same problem. The shop is recommending pulling both heads and taking them to a machine shop. Not really sure on that but the mechanic said it would be a permanent fix. They want to charge him $2800
to do both heads. I thought that sounded about right. Any suggestions? Thanks, I'll pass any feedback to my friend.
months with the same problem. The shop is recommending pulling both heads and taking them to a machine shop. Not really sure on that but the mechanic said it would be a permanent fix. They want to charge him $2800
to do both heads. I thought that sounded about right. Any suggestions? Thanks, I'll pass any feedback to my friend.
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From: SE Wyoming
Take it to a different shop that will do the insert. When my first one popped the shop said they had only had 1 return again, of course I became #2 a few months back but it lasted over 2 years before it blew. I'd suspect this shop uses an inferior insert or just wants more money. For some comparison when my second plug blew I got a quote of $1700 to replace the head. The first time it blew it was accessible and cost under $300 to get an insert put in. Frankly for $2800 I'd be looking at a new/reman engine or at least new heads, Patriot performance still sells them for under $1500 a set. If he has a NPI engine then he'd need to upgrade the intake as well if he went with the patriot heads.
I'd also be interested in what a machine shop does to old heads to fix them permanently that doesn't involve putting 8 inserts in.
I'd also be interested in what a machine shop does to old heads to fix them permanently that doesn't involve putting 8 inserts in.
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Take it to a different shop that will do the insert. When my first one popped the shop said they had only had 1 return again, of course I became #2 a few months back but it lasted over 2 years before it blew. I'd suspect this shop uses an inferior insert or just wants more money. For some comparison when my second plug blew I got a quote of $1700 to replace the head. The first time it blew it was accessible and cost under $300 to get an insert put in. Frankly for $2800 I'd be looking at a new/reman engine or at least new heads, Patriot performance still sells them for under $1500 a set. If he has a NPI engine then he'd need to upgrade the intake as well if he went with the patriot heads.
I'd also be interested in what a machine shop does to old heads to fix them permanently that doesn't involve putting 8 inserts in.
I'd also be interested in what a machine shop does to old heads to fix them permanently that doesn't involve putting 8 inserts in.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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if you look online you can find the heads for the truck for $400 each.
plus the gaskets $50 and two or three hours and it can be done your self, it very simple if you have any experience at all. and also i replaced my whole engine for cheaper than $2000.00 used of course.
plus the gaskets $50 and two or three hours and it can be done your self, it very simple if you have any experience at all. and also i replaced my whole engine for cheaper than $2000.00 used of course.
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This repair is not that difficult to do. Although depending on which plug goes, it just gets more time consuming. I'm no technician/mechanic, just a hobbyist with a lot of tools and I did mine myself. I bought my helicoil set from NAPA and so far it's been in 2 years.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Western KY
The first blow out I had was repaired by me with a borrowed Calvan 38900. Been holding for 2 years. The second was repaired with the Helicoil kit, lasted about 6 months. The Calvan kit was able to fix this one also, it's larger. I see no reason why it won't hold. The friend I originally borrowed the kit from did a dozen or so and he never had a return. Of course, I suspect some people fix them and trade the truck in. Thats the route I would go.
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