I did an internet order for the plugs (at $7.99 each) so I won't get them until next week. Looks like I'll be doing this next weekend.

I'll keep y'all posted.

CMOS

 

CMOS, just curious as to how many miles you have on your truck. I think I am in the same boat as you... 35K+ miles. I have to make a decision soon. I was quoted a price of $199, so I think I am leaning toward letting the dealership change them. If I do have them changed, I will ask for the old plugs back just to make sure they changed all of them. Let us know how it goes and post up some pics of the old plugs.

 

when did a 1 hr job that cost $20 in parts become a $450 event. I can't believe that a dealership would charge that much. I'd say do it yourself, take alot of time and don't drink until your done.

oh and put lots of antisieze on the new set.

at least if you break the plug, you can only blame yourself. if they break it, you're still paying for it.

anyone got the TSB for this on hand? Does this only affect the 04/05's? or all of the 3 valve 5.4s?

 

The plugs are $7 - $15 apiece. If you can do a plug chnge on a new 3V 5.4L in less than an hour, you are doing pretty well. I agree, $450 is much too expensive.

 

I have 31K miles.

If my dealer had told me $199 I would have said "Have at it!". But, like Tylus said, I will feel better about doing the job right by doing it myself than if I let some Stealership monkey do it.

CMOS

 

So your saying if you let the Ford dealer change your plugs....and they break one off in the head and therefore have to remove the head....Ford is then going to charge you to remove the head and fix the issue they caused?
Doesn't sound right to me. Ford should fix any issues (free of charge) minus the cost of a normal 5.4L 3v spark plug change.
I will be doing the spark plug change myself. It would worry me that they will break a plug, and then not get all the debris out of the cylinder....therefore ensuring I have issues with the cylinder later down the road.

 

Any Ford techs out there?? How many professionally done 5.4L 3V spark plug changes result in a spark plug breaking off in the cylinder head? Is this as bad an issue as people make it sound?

 

I talked to a mechanic at my dealer, not the Service Wirter, the mechanic. He told me in front of the Service Writer that he has had "several" break in the heads. The service writer's jaw dropped as he said, "I've never heard of that!" Go figure.

It is a problem. Suggest you pull the plugs every 30K at the most.

CMOS

 

sorry, was referencing my older Fords which were cheaper than dirt to fix and really did only take an hour to do a tune up. The only Ford that has ever taken me a long time was a 95 Mustang with a 351 in it. Very annooying vehicle. Make doing a plug change on the Taurus look like a cakewalk.

I haven't done any work on the 4.6/5.4. I had no idea that the prices had increased so much.

I still think it's crap that they want $450 for a job that only costs $120 (8*$15) in parts. Sounds like a little padding in the pocket.

Thats anywhere from $80-110 an hour labor. Is it really that hard to do for a "competant" service tech in a fully outfitted garage?

 

Mine, I would say, more pulled a part than break. The new plug has a long tube that the electrobe fits through. The one I broke only the tube part stayed in the head the rest of the plug came out clean porcelain and all one piece. The tube below the threads seem to have a weak spot where they were pressed together.

 

Breaking plug 5,7,or 8 is not at all uncommon. Yes, the debris do drop down into the combustion chamber sometimes. If you are really lucky the ceramic debris are tiny and will grind to powder before doing any serious damage to the piston or valve(s). Metallic debris will melt. I have seen bent exhaust valves and pitted pistons as a result of this.

 

I was lucky.
I'd rather be lucky then good any time.

 

__________________________________________________ _________________

Tylus .. I just bought a new '07 SD w/5.4 & this spark plug thing has me concerned. I was thinking about removing the plugs & "Anti-Seizing" them & now I see that you recommend doing just that. I have 3 different types of anti-seize .... (crappy aluminum particle) .... (super Hi-Temp Caterpillar copper particle [1800º]) ... (pure nickle particle [2400º]) and I'm wondering which would be best for this aluminum head/steel plug interface ??? Maybe one of the younger college fellows here on the site can look further into this & let us know just which type of anti-seize would be best for this application ??? An added thought .... what are the unforeseen ramifications of each type as to "O2 sensors & such ???
Come on you chemist guys ... kick this up a notch for us so we'll know which one is the best we can do for our engines !

Thanks !
~Glenn 07 FX4 SD SC SB 5.4 6sp 4.10 ls

 

BTW, I just ordered a spark plug socket specifically for the 5.4 3V engine. It's a 9/16th with the rubber insert - from www.skhandtool.com

Part number 4419. Only $11 bucks.


CMOS

 

I think that the 06 and up now has antisieze on them. hopefully someone has the TSB that covers this problem and can put the info up on what years are affected.