IDK, they always say 2 wrongs don't make a right but they (your local shop) stuck it to you, I personally would stick it back in them !! 2 cents

 

Too bad the local shop you've trusted for years fell down on you. Also, hard to believe they were not aware of the challenges in spark plug replacement on these 3v engines as much has been written about them. Sounds like the Ford dealer might be a good shop to trust with future work. I have 36,000 on my 2005 5.4 SCab. The best practices keeps evolving on changing these plugs. Some now say change them when engine is "warm", recently read that Ford ammended the TSB to include using a torque wrench set at 37 ft lbs to remove the plugs. New tools by Lisle and others....saw a nifty plug socket with a custom length extension offered for around $23 somewhere especially for these engines. Maybe by the time the job comes due on my truck, there won't be all the uncertainties? Gonna wait here and see how things pan out.

 

Those were scary when it was happening. I think it would be rare now , to have to pull a head. They have learned a lot and it is fairly routine now for a tech that knows what he is doing and has the tools.

 

I am glad to here this issue worked out for all. Here is the horror story that everyone dreads. I brought my 2006 Scab in to the Ford Dealership in Wilmington, NC. For a tuneup which includes a spark plug change about 2 weeks ago. Later that day the dealer calls me and stated they broke one off so bad that they have to take off the head and later they had to send it off to a machine shop to remove what was on the inside of the head. They had me stuck between a rock and a hard place. I did not break that one off and they had me paying $3,100 for the 25hrs of labor and the machine shop work.....for something I did not do. All this for tune up! At this time I am currently working for reinbursement for the work that I was charged from the point that one broke off. https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...ot-happen.html

 

Unfortunately, for me, that means avoiding my Ford dealer...

Just gotta research your mechanic. Informed decisions.

 

Or do the work YOURSELF!

 

That is terrible. You're the first one we've heard of since the TSB became well known, that has run into that. Normally, they can fish out the broken piece in about 30 min.

 

Those are not even heavily carboned. Makes me wonder if they were using an impact.

 

Shocking stories, for sure.....my dealer changed my plugs several months ago, 98,000 miles, for a "quoted" $300.00.......went to pick it up, they wanted $1,300.00 for THEIR trouble!

Bottom line.......I paid $300.00!

If I were you, I would NOT pay anything to the first shop......
let them sue...... a judge OR jury would laugh at 'em!

 

I spoke to the owner of the shop....he agreed that his shop handled the situation poorly. He agreed to cover his end.
He told me his shop would now refuse spark plug changes on the new F150s.
Irony is the next day I receive the bill in the mail from him.....$226 for changing 6 plugs and braking the 7th in place.
As mentioned before if he honors his word and covers his end then I am only out $201 from the Ford dealer and a 1/2 day of frustration.

Thanks for everyones help.
-Shawn

 

I'm leaning heavily towards the dealership to replace my plugs now. I wish it didn't cost so damn much.