So called my local ford dealership today to get a quote on a plug change. After waiting on hold for awhile I finally got some assistance. The man quoted me for 8 plugs and boots with 5 hours of labor. The total cost : $715.00 including taxes. Is this even logical?

Truck is 04 F150 5.4L 3V

 

Quote is less than some, more than others.

 

Dude I feel your pain, I just went thru this less than three weeks ago and almost fell over when I went to pay for the repairs and pick up my truck. Eight plugs, one coil and labor. The total was $729 and they trashed my truck in the process with grease all over the engine compartment along with my carpets and leather seats.

If I had to do it over, I would have went to a dependable independent repair shop. The dealership charges full retail on parts - $28.75 per plug and $97.50 for the coil when you can get them at any online parts outlet for less than half that.

 

I had my local dealership change my sparkplugs for me. Labor was around $330.00 and that was with 4 of the plugs breaking. I bought the boots and plugs and had the dealership put them in for me (went with the one piece Champions), that way I only paid for labor. Side note: dealership was actually the cheapest and most reasonable place to do the plug change.

 

Labor should only be 2.9 hours if no plugs break.

 

And this is why I'm glad I have the V6.

Only cost me $245 to have all 6 replaced, a fuel filter, and an oil change.

 

I do not think the dealership breaks as many plugs as they charge people for....just saying.

 

I had mine replaced at 75k miles or so and none broke. I don't recall the exact price, but I'm thinking it was less than $500 for sure. I don't remember being shocked by the bill...only annoyed, but I expected that. I'd have to go dig up the bill, but I want to say it was somewhere between 300-400. Not sure though. It's been over a year now I think.

 

623.70 here....2 plugs broke. Still pissed.

 

LMGDAO

They are charging that much?

 

Maybe competition (or lack of it) has something to do with the price? Where I live, I could choose from 6 or more Ford dealers within 30 minutes from my house to do this work. I went to one of the larger dealers that I've used in the past for warranty work.

 

I was 1066.48 for all 8 plugs and one COP... 5 plugs broke

 

If you do the math, using a 4 year change interval (100k mile plug change) it ends up costing 15.00/month. Factoring in oil changes (say, 20 changes (5 per yr) - every 5k @ 30.00) - 12.50/month. So, plugs are costing more than oil changes per month. Just for plugs and oil per month cost is 27.50/month. Okay, add gas at 25k per year/15 mpg = 1666k gallons x 2.5/gal = 347/month = 374.00/month. Divide by 2 if your doing 12.5k per year and you're at 187.29/month. Add in payment and insurance and you get a cost to own picture. Gets expensive - why did I do the math?

 

But if you live like your grandparents did and you buy something and keep it for a long time (until it's not worth keeping any longer), it's not so bad. My '04 I bought new was paid for in maybe 2.5 years? - I don't remember the exact date we paid it off) and it's in great shape so I expect it to last a lot longer. I have the urge to buy a new truck, but when I stop and think about it, I know that's a bad idea. I think where people get in trouble is...

A. Leasing (very bad move...fleece, not lease).
B. Financing the truck and then replacing the truck before it's even paid off or replacing it shortly after it's paid off, even if it's still running/looking good. You have a never-ending payment on an expensive truck.

At the moment, I just cringe when buying gas. It gets pricey to fill up a 36 gallon tank. Most stations won't even let me fill up all the way. Many have a $75 limit at the pump, per transaction. Other than gas...that's the only thing that's really costing me. Oil changes are fairly cheap and an expected part of owning a vehicle. I wish they were free though or oil not so expensive :-)

 

Side note got a letter from Patrick Law Firm, PC out of Texas asking for info on spark plug change. Apparently they pursue Ford for outlandish costs on spark plug changes...interesting.. Contact was Ford Spark-Plug questioner on the internet at www.CraftHughesLaw.com Just what we need, more lawyers....