Are the spark plugs just as tricky to remove on the 4.6L engines? Southbounds's truck is a 5.4L engine is why I ask.

 

Nope, totally different

 

Jim, does that mean they process is much more straight forward?

 

Yes, you have a standard type one piece plug. The only problem is that they are difficult to get to, but no issues about breakage.

 

Just thought I'd bring this back up with what my local dealer's policy is on changing 5.4 3v plugs. I was over there today shooting the breeze with the service advisor and asked him what they do. He says they have now had a LOT of sticking and breaking issues, and they have the senior tech do them all. He follows the TSB to the letter and has all the extraction tools. They charge $260 (parts and labor) and that includes 1 or 2 broken extractions at no additional charge. 3 or more, the bill goes up, he goes straight onto a time clock at $80 an hour for each extraction after the first 2.

 

I bought my 04 3 months ago and it just passed 112K miles. I've been following all of the spark plug horror stories and cringing. I contacted the previous owner last week to see if he had hopefully had the plugs done but naturally he didn't. Recommended maintenance was a foriegn language to him. Even though it's running fine I want to be proactive about changing them out plus it's 1 less thing to worry about on a truck I don't know that much about. I called 3 different Ford dealers here in Denver and asked for a firm price for the plug change and here are the responses.

#1- $712 total for plugs and boots plus $60 for each plug they break.

#2- $250 total for plugs. If they break any it's on them because it's a crappy Ford design and they are the professionals and they have all of the right tools for the job.

#3- $240 total plus $120 for each plug they break.

I also talked to a couple of independent mechanics I've used and they seemed impervious to the problem but were willing to tackle the job. I will probably pass on them since they don't have the removal tool. I think I'll schedule dealer #2 for next week.

 

I would go with dealer No. 2 as well, but look into the cost of them replacing the boots. With that many miles, and the heat build up, you may get some cracking pretty soon. You might even see if they will replace the boots if you bring in the parts. They will have them off anyway, and you can order them online for a fraction of what most dealers charge. Most dealers charge about $96 for boots and you can get them online for about $36 as I recall. Good luck!

 

Your a lucky man. Congratulations on a job well done! I couldn't take the stress myself and changed them shortly after I bought it new. Had no problems.

 

That sounds very reasonable to me.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the boots Bluejay. I'll check with them on the boot cost and see where they are at. I'll get this done in the next couple of weeks and report back on how they did on the plugs. It's running smoothly but it's just sluggish so I'm hoping the plugs and fuel filter will perk it up.

 

Well, this thread gave me the courage to change my plugs myself. I have 98,000 miles and have had a low end bog/miss for about 8,000 miles. I knew it had to be done. Got the lisle tool, the OTC 9/16" socket, some new motorcraft plugs, antisieze, dielectic grease and some carb cleaner and had at it. Broke 5 plugs all the same way. Luckily the porcelin broke off flush with the electrode shield. I think on those 5 I did not have a chance getting out in one piece. I think they broke the second I turned the plug to soak them. Got #4 out which was the one I was worried about, but #8 broke. Started at 2:00 yesterday and finished at 9:00. I also had trouble getting the tool to tap the threads on a few of the plugs. Bog/miss is gone. I do not know how auto techs do this day in and out. You deserve every penny you get on some of these repairs. My arms and hands are all red and scun up from reaching those back plugs.

Thanks for all the help on this site! I would not have known what I was getting in to. For others worried about doing this yourself, it is not that bad, just have the Lisle tool on hand.

 

Congrats on a job well done!

 

OP here.

Congrats on getting the plug change done! Its a pain but sure feels good to do it yourself. Lots of money saved and you have that sense of accomplishment.



I only wish my immediate friends/coworkers/family understood how big a deal it was to do, they think I'm crazy for telling them "I changed my own spark plugs on my '04 F150." They're all like, "wow, that's great..." At least the folks on this forum know how big a deal it is.

 

Here's the original plugs from my 04 with 113,000 miles on them that the dealer repaced yesterday. I was impressed that they got them all out with none breaking and I was perfectly fine with paying them $249 for their expertise. I have the utmost respect and admiration for those who tackle this project themselves but this was something I just am not set up to do.
I also have to say HUGE thanks to the members on this forum for the vast amount of information readily available that I had access to about this issue. There's no telling how many I would have broken trying to do this myself thinking that I had normal 1 piece plugs. Big props to all who contribute to this site.

 

That is an excellent price. If that included the plugs, that means they charged you for 2 hours or less. Congrats!