My 04 has 25000 miles and after hearing all the horror stories about broken plugs I thought I would have them changed at low mileage. I considered doing it myself but I didn't want to be responsible for breaking one off so I took it to the dealer as it's still under warranty. They said it would cost about $450 for a plug change which I thought was outrageous but I told them to do it for the peace of mind of having new plugs. Well, they broke the plugs on cylinders one and three. It took them three days to get it squared away. One broke the "conventional way" with the sleve stuck in the head but the other broke at the porcelain. They almost had to take the head off to get it out but they managed to get it out somehow. Warranty covered all the extra labor. They installed "updated plugs" with anti-seize and i'm back on the road. The service manager said I did the right thing by having them changed. I mentioned taking them out about every 10000 mile just to keep them free but he said I wouldnt have to with the updated plugs and the anti-seize. I might do it any way just to be safe.

 

I might roll into the dealer at 35k on my truck to have it done in case they break off it will still be covered.

 

Good to hear that they covered it under warranty.

 

Where do they arrive at $450 for a plug change? How many hours labor did they bill you for? That sounds way high.

On a side note, I would change your oil asap. No telling what particles broke loose into the engine while they were working those 2 broken plugs out.

 

$285 labor, $141.20 parts, $426.20 total. I'm not sure how many hours were charged. I think i'll take your advice on changing the oil.

 

I'm coming up on 27k miles on my 06, may take it in soon for a plug change. This broken plug issue has me scared to do anything with the damn things though.

 

I changed mine at 16k with the supercharger install with no problems...put anti-seize on them too so I should be good to go the next 25k miles or so when I change them again...

 

Alright I probably could use the search bit... this seems like an appropriate place for this post. Are the issues with the plugs on all late model F150's 4.6 and 5.4?

 

They had a feeling a plug or two would break, so they charged up-front for it. That is what covered getting the two broken ones out, not the warranty.

 

No, it only affects the 5.4.

 

$285 wouldn't have covered the labor for the broken plugs.

 

Totally agree especially if the heads have to come off, last I heard it would be about 2k.

 

From what I understand, the plug removal tool eliminates some of the removing of heads.

And the cost doesn't cover his plugs by itself. Lets say they charge an extra $150 for each truck they change plugs in. If they change plugs in 10 trucks and they break in 1, well, the extra from the other 9 trucks ($1350 total) will pay for the removal of the one. That's why they charge so much.

Anyway, glad they took care of you and got it fixed for ya.

 

do you think the updated plugs already come in the '07s? or am i going to have to deal with this crap too.

 

$450.00 for a plug change ! I almost fell out of my chair...