Mis-understood / mis-heard cost of tuneup F150

[mrsilv04]

I had a friend telling me tonight that he had paid $800 for a HALF of a tune-up on a 2005 F-150 5.4... and that he had to go back and get the other half done.

1) How do you get half of a tune up at a time? Did they just do 4?

2) Why in the heck is it costing $800 for half? Are they replacing the coil pack as well, to come up with $200 per cylinder?

In an attempt to get some clarity on this, I asked a friend who has a 2004 F-150 5.4, and he told me that it is $100 per cylinder just to properly replace the spark plug. But, of course, it is good for 100,000 miles. Well, I'd hope so!

I give up. Either I need my hearing checked, or I need to befriend people who don't happen to own F-150's.

 

[Quattro Pete]

What is the definition of a tune-up, anyway?

 

[mrsilv04]

I would assume that the plug is due at 100,000 miles. That makes sense. But then when it goes to $100 per cylinder, to $200 per cylinder... and half for $800... and $1600 total... *shrug*.

I guess it is morbid curiosity... or to find out that someone is getting seriously taken for $1600.

Same guy has a 2003 Dodge Ram that he told me needs $2500 in work on the front end. Now THAT I can believe. I've heard it go down the street. I'm surprised that he hasn't had a front wheel fall off yet. Creaking, popping, cracking...

 

[KD0AXS]

It's a 3V 5.4. These plugs are well known for breaking off. When they break, you need a special extractor tool to get them out. My guess is they are assuming they are going to break and figure it into the cost of the job.

 

[Roadkingnc]

It takes all of 30 minutest to replace the plugs if you have experience on these. Add a half hour per hole for broken plugs.
Flat rate is 2.4 hrs, plugs at the dealer are 23 bucks each.
Coils are expensive but I doubt it needs all of them.
Somebody is clearly getting ripped off here.

 

[Trav]

Maybe some broke so they are figuring the rest will also have problems.
I know these can be so bad and labor intensive i wont do them.

 

[bdcardinal]

All the above responses are good ones. We have found that Mazda Zoom cleaner for RX-8 rotor housings works the best at breaking up the carbon. Even then they still break.

Just remember, before the extractor tool was designed, you had to pull the head to get the broken plugs out.

 

[jorton]

De-carbonize engine with 1/2 gallon of water through a basket ball inflating needle cure broken spark plugs?

 

[bdcardinal]

That might work, but the way the carbon builds up on the plugs, breaking them a 1/4 turn and putting carb cleaner down the hole is a more effective way of breaking up the carbon.

 

[bvance554]

I think its time to learn how to change spark plugs...

 

[The Critic]

Supposedly, using a 3/8" impact to remove these is the trick. The impacting action breaks loose the carbon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIQevez-DG0

 

[ram_man]

moral to this story is don't buy an f-150 with known plug issues. sounds like it would be [censored] to me.

 

[JHZR2]

If they have to remove and do the service on each spark plug hole (dont 5.4s spit out spark plugs?) then I can see it. Ditto if the COP is replaced.

 

[95busa]

Early 2v were plug spitters. 3v had stuck plugs.

 

[Astro14]

It's $1800 just to change the plugs on the S600...you bet I will be doing them myself...

 

[racin4ds]

Did several of these, with the good removal tool and proper steps taken before the change, its really not that bad. He's getting hosed!

A thorough Seafoam induction cleaning and then crack them lose and fill the hole with Kroil or PB blaster and viola! 95% of them come right out! 2-2.5 hour job at best!

Tell your friend I'll do the FULL tune up for $800!. Heck I charge $200 around here and an additional $25 a hole if one breaks. Of course thats with customer supplied parts cause the plugs are salty!

 

[Kira]

Hello, I understand everything said here (obviously) but my mind is blown. I cannot accept for one moment that Ford built an engine which either spits plugs or is of a design which "entombs" plugs with carbon. Unforgivable!

I hope this doesn't happen with the 4.6L (same block) my friend's '97 F-150 has.

I'd put copper or nickel anti-seize on the plugs threads. Kira

 

[yonyon]

It isn't the threads that get stuck. The threads come out every time. It's the bit below that that breaks of and stays in the hole.

 

[jeepman3071]

Threads like this about newer cars make me want to hold onto my jeep as long as possible. I can practically see the spark plugs when I open the hood. Even with removal of the coil packs it takes me 15 minutes. Earlier 4.0 engines take even less time.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Chrysler made the #6 plug a real bear to get to! I can do it without removing the coil rail.

Other than that, a spark plug change is a 20 minute job!