http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bfs/1267431563.html

HI MY NAME IS TONY AND I WORK OUT OF A TRANSMISSION AUTO SHOP IN IRVING. THE REASON WHY I AM POSTING THIS AD IS BECAUSE IVE ALREADY DONE AT LEAST 25 FORD F-150 LARIAT TRITONS THAT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PLUGS BREAKING OFF INTO THE HEAD ...

WHAT I AM OFFERING ON THIS AD IS I WILL DO A FULL SPARK PLUGS CHANGE ON YOUR F-150 LARIAT TRITION V8 OR V6 FOR $400 FLAT AND THAT INCLUDES ANY SPARK PLUGS THAT BREAK OF IN THE HEAD WEATHER ITS 3 OR 8 THAT BREAK OFF.

Interesting. Just curious if it was anyone on here.

 

If you do a "search" on this forum (and the other one) you will see TONS of posts about this problem. Personally, and I've posted this story, I took my 2004 5.4 in for the plug change...long story short, service quoted $300.00 to change plugs, I approved, went to pick up the truck, they said $1,300.00 because WE had a problem............

After a FIRM discussion with the GM & Service Mgr in front of a number of customers and salesmen, they agreed that I would only pay $300.00, which I did.
I may be wrong, somebody can chime in here, but I believe that particular problem began with the 04's.

And NO, there is no recall.......and GM (Government Motors) is NO better!
Why do you think they're almost out of business???
I give them 24 months!

 

Yeah I fully understand the problem and the TSB. I've read most of the posts about them even though the problem itself doesn't necessarily apply to me (2008 4.6L). I just found it interesting someone was offering services and was curious if it was anyone on the forums. If it helps someone save some money, then that's gravy.

 

Honestly it kind of bothers me that his add says "25 FORD F-150 LARIAT TRITONS THAT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PLUGS BREAKING OFF INTO THE HEAD". Here are my picky remarks. All caps is just a no-no in my book, lol. Lariat means nothing to do with the motor, just '04+, 5.4, 3v triton motors. Also, $400 isn't too too bad, I paid around $280 and that included 8 plugs changed, an oil change, and fuel filter all installed. My truck also had no plugs break because my mechanic followed the TSB to the letter. It sounds as if this guy has access to the tool that helps remove broken spark plugs. Unless he is a tech at Ford (which he isn't) how many trucks has he come across? I sure hope it was a lot more than 25. The way I see it, he has had ample practice to get it right by now and if they are still breaking off, I would look elsewhere to have it done. And one last thing, he is offering the same "service" to all 3 F-150 motors, the 5.4 is the only one that could justify that kind of cost. Just my $0.02...

Wait, does your '08 need plugs to be changed? It was to my understanding that the latter part of the '04-'08 model had either a different plug or a revised head to help eliminate this problem.

 

Nah, I only have 17K miles on my truck. Again, I just thought it was something interesting to post.

 

I too find it interesting. I particularly find it interesting that he includes the 4.6 and the V6 at $400. Those folks would be ripped off. For my 5.4, my dealer charged me $350 less a 10% coupn, so $315 and they didn't break any.

 

BlueJay....I agree with you on that point......this indicates to me that the FORD dealer that replaced my plugs may have NOT followed the TSB since they broke some off.....................

I'm sorry, but I really don't trust car dealers OR their Service Departments.....
and this is just based on my personal experience over the past 40 years, or so.

 

I know what you are saying. They have pretty well earned our distrust.

 

at what mileage are you suppose to get your plugs changed... 05' 5.4L I've got 58k right now

 

Supposed to be good for 100k miles but I swapped mine out at 42k because of the horror stories I have heard. My mechanic followed the TSB copy I gave him and luckily they all came out intact. Many things can help this too like quality of fuel used to prevent carbon buildup, use of a cleaner is debatable, but I used a can of BK 44k 2 tanks before the plug change, and personally I liked to really get on it to make sure it was burning good

 

thats what I thought.... I've been running 93 Marathon for the past almost 20k so should be good in that area.. i would hope... what is this TSB i keep seeing in this post?


...Hey my 500th post... sweet

 

Are you tuned for 93? If not, you are wasting money and possibly leaving carbon deposits. These engines are tuned for specific octanes. The only time you should run 93 is if you have a tune for it.

 

If I were you, I'd change 'em TODAY!

 

Yeah Im running VMP 93 perf tune. and the truck even says premium only, since it was Roush charged when i bought it

Yeah I probably should get them changed soon... but no income as of right now so maybe in future... But if I take it to a dealer and they say... the $300... id still be concerned they would try and charge me like he said above $1300 or whatever if THEY break them..

 

Talk to the service people at your dealer. Find out what kind of success rate they have. My dealer had broken two plugs and had gotten those out with no problem on all the 3vs they had done. I had mine done at 65,500 and none broke. I plan on going to about 90,000 on this set. I sent another member to this dealer, he has a 2004 and had 133,000 on it. They didn't break any on his either. The techs have learned what to do and what not to do and should be having good success now.