Ford 5.4

[OIIIIIIIO]

Hi

I was recently told that the Ford 5.4L motor...just that one with "3 valves" will cost near $1000 to have the spark plugs changed due to

them being extra long and costing $25 a pop
them being extra long and often breaking require a $400 tool to extract
Ford allow 8 hours to change them (@$100/hr at many Ford dealerships...)

Anybody else hear something similar?

[tater'sTJ]

I thought it was because they had a coil on plug system and the plugs themselves were exspensive...

I know on a 4.6 with a regular plug system it's about $400 to get them changed because you can't hardly get to the two in the back.

[2much]

The main reason is becuase the plugs are very inaccesible and hard to get to. When I had my 5.4 my I was getting a misfire because some of my spark plug wires had dry rotted, I saved a TON of money by changing them myself, but I also threw a few tools and pretty much lost my temper may times throughout the process, they are a real pain. I would say the supplies as you said may by fairly pricey, but the main thing is the time and labor becase they are so dang hard to get to.

[The Duke]

require a $400 tool to extract

If you have to pay for the tool, make sure they give it to you when they are done.

[StrongWind]

Hi

I was recently told that the Ford 5.4L motor...just that one with "3 valves" will cost near $1000 to have the spark plugs changed due to

them being extra long and costing $25 a pop
them being extra long and often breaking require a $400 tool to extract
Ford allow 8 hours to change them (@$100/hr at many Ford dealerships...)

Anybody else hear something similar?


You're getting hosed big time.

I had the plugs replaced in my 2001 Supercrew a few years ago (100K miles) for $335 including the plugs. I had quotes from several DEALER service shops for $400 to $500. The independent shop by my house did it for $335.

I looked at doing it myself, and, you are correct - it is very difficult - the plugs are hard to get to....figured I'd let someone who has done it before (many times....) take care of it.

Look around - Maybe try a high school or Jr college by your house? Give someone a chance to learn on your truck (supervised) and save you some $?.....

[OIIIIIIIO]

Hi

I was told it was for the 2004 and newer 5.4L motors (or maybe it was just model year 2004...I can't remember the conversation exactly)...and just the 5.4 with "3-valves"...I'm assuming 3 valves per cylinder

The conversation also said something about there being many different versions of the 5.4 from 2004 and up...but just the 3 valve version having the $1000 "tune-up."

8 hrs * $100/hr...$800
$25/plug * 8 plugs...$200

Is my math right?

[StrongWind]

My 2001 5.4L is a 3 valve motor.
As far as I know, it is the same "configuration" as the "newer" motors.
Plug in the middle of the heads, coil pack on top.....a ***** to get to the back plugs.
It's all a function of how the motor sits in the bay - backed up into the firewall that makes it difficult to get at. The "year" is irrelavent.

$100/hour for labor is outrageous.
My shop charges $45/hr for ASE certified techs.
It does not take 8 hours of labor to do the work.

Anyone else - am I missing something????

[OIIIIIIIO]

Not something I need to have done...just something I heard...I'm not being ripped off or anything...

I heard this from an independent mechanic who happens to prefer Ford products most of the time...

Our local dealerships are now getting near $100/hr

Other shops vary...but not too far away...most in the $60-$70/hr range

[fullautodave]

I just had the plugs in my Excursion changed this week. It is a V-10 with the individual coils on each plug. Ford quoted me $335 for the job and I found a well recommended local that done it for $225 and also changed out the fuel filter. Took him 2.5 hours.

Dave

[Jason Clark]

Yet another reason I hate new vehicles.

I can just hear this in the board room:

Accountant: How can we soak our customers for even more money?

Designer#1: We could make a car with more plastic and cheaper parts.

Designer#2: Yeah, and we could shove the engine so far back into the engine compartment that the back four plugs are under the front seat. This way you have to drop the engine just to get to them.

CEO: I like it, let's run with that idea. So, who's up for a round of golf?