Well, last weekend I had a misfire, so I took it to the shop that I usually go to. The shop manager told me that it would be best to change all the spark plugs (93,000 miles with no change, I am the 3rd owner as of 70,000).

The process has been terrible. After 3 full days of labor, 4 original plugs have broken.

Finally got 7 new spark plugs in today. But there is still 1 broken (driver side, furthest back).

The guys at the shop do not want to pull the head (16 hours of labor) so have kept trying to tap into what is left of the broken plug. They haven't had any luck.

 

You're aware there is a special tool that removes the broken plugs? Many members do it themselves with good results. Does your shop have the tool?

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/p...s/?product=484

$62 at rockauto.

 

Had they had experience with these plugs before? Many of the shops and techs use a power ratchet and seldom break one. When one breaks, the Lisle tool is essential.

 

Carb cleaner and patience are the key. Also a spark plug extractor kit is nice touch. good luck i hear a lot of horror stories. I have had good luck. make sure they put anti seize on the new ones.

 

It is extremely important these days to use Ford trained technicians or guys who are well schooled in the Modular engine. your average "mechanic" is not prepaird for it. They know chevys and thats all..

 

I hope they are charging by the job and not by the hour! If you are paying by the hour you are paying for their education that they sorely needed anyway!

 

My plug change and one "coil" was $900 with 2 or 3 broken by my independent shop, if that makes you feel any better. Lot of guys have had it done by a dealership for $400 or less. Another member had to pay $1200+ just for the plugs.

 

I hate to say it, but if some how I ended up with an '04 to '08 3-v, I would run the champion one piece plug in it, even if I had to change them more often. The prices for some of these plug changes borders on the bizarre. I have always been a Ford man, but that was a sucky head design, with a sucky plug to go in it.

 

I paid $325 for the plug change at 65,000. Since the new Motorcrafts will go for 100,000 miles, I don't feel that is too much. Some get ripped off because they don't do enough research or they just plain have bad luck.

 

It's amazing that we now think that $325 is a great price for a plug change. (on the 04 -10) I changed the plugs in my 02 for the price of the plugs which were less than $3 each at Advance and they were the correct Motorcraft plugs. Also used a little dielectric grease and some anti-seize against the advice of this site.

 

Agreed. Had to adapt in my thinking. I used to change the plugs in my 289 Mustang in 1/2 an hour, cost me about $10. But, I had to do them and change the points about every 12,000 miles. So, a 100,000 miles, and they do the work for $325 not as bad as it first sounded. At least that was how I got over it.

 

Patrick did mine in the 07 start to finish in 45 mins. Helps to have someone that knows what they are doing.

 

Yeah, my plug change basically became a "major repair" . . . it's just spark plugs darnit!

 

Well I got some good news. The guys at the shop gave it one last try before they would pull the head... and they got it. Put in the new plug and it runds great. Found out that the last plug had been blown put an repaired. This cause it to be a pain. Only got charged for 6 hours of labor ($580). They had at least 16 hours in it.

Glad it didn't go worst case scenario.

 

Glad you are running again, but your truck had blown a plug? It's a 5.4? If so, then it's a rarity.