2006 5.4L is running good at 78k miles, but I see dropped the recommendation for a plug change to 60k. I dont want to touch those plugs with a 10 foot pole. I'm pretty handy with a wrench, but they scare me. What can I expect as far as cost at the dealership for a plug change?

 

$240-----------$650......all depends on the dealer and if any plugs break...

If they're really idiots when they say that the heads need to removed to get the broken plugs out....run away and don't look back....find another dealer...

 

My dealer charges 600 then another 60 for each broken plug this is in Maryland.

 

I paid $325, none broke.

 

Here's a way to remove all plugs without breaking one in less than three minutes:

 

You may be able to find a small guy around your area to do it. I had a misfire and we just replace cyl 8 plug for $20 He said he charges $20 to install each plug than $10 for the part. So $240 for everything.

 

If only it was that easy I'd do my own tomorrow!!!

 

call around to all your ford dealerships within an hour drive. speak with the head mechanic. ask how much they charge for the job, what they do to loosen them up, and if they charge for any additional breaks. when i did it dealers ranged from 325-600. the dealer who charged 325 supposedly did a ton of them and was where all the other dealers sent the 5.4 3v plug jobs. anyways they did a couple pretreatments and did the job for 325 including plugs, no matter how many broke. zero ended up breaking. shop around and find the experts

 

Try it!

I just did mine last week, 142,000 miles on original plugs.

Make sure you have the Lisle tool 65600 ( works like a dream )

The night before, pull the coil packs and soak the holes with pb blaster.

Go slow removing them, turn one revolution out, then back in a half turn, do that till they turn easier. They well pop the whole way out, but that's a good thing, it's the carbon coming off the plugs.

If you break one the Lisle tool is simple to remove the broken collar.

When you reinstall, i would recommend petting champion 7989 double platinum plugs back in. Guaranteed not to break next time, these are a 2 piece design, rather than the motorcraft 3 piece plugs that break. I would recommend using done anti sieze on the new plugs threads and collar just to make sure the carbon can't stick to the new plugs as well as the Olds ones. If you use champion plugs, gasp them to 45.

I was very hesitant to do them and my stomach dropped when my number 7 plug broke coming out. But the Lisle tool is amazing and is fool proof.

Champion 7989 plugs can be found on Ebay for around 80 bucks a set shipped

Good luck!




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I got prices from $275.00 & $50.00 broken to $2000.00. Went to dealer 1hr away (had work close ) they quote $275.00 -$325.00 and final cost was $278.00 with no broken plugs.

 

For that price its probably worth it to let them do it and not have to worry with buying the tools and the gut wrenching feeling you get when one breaks!

 

I've seen and heard mixed reviews on the champions....

BTW/FYI......antisieze DOES NOT get applied to the threads.....its the heat shield only...

 

Thanks guys for all the info. The hairy man inside me wants to go for it so bad... Never thought in a million years I would consider taking a vehicle to the dealership for a PLUG CHANGE. Since the truck is running good, I guess I will table this for awhile. $325 is not bad, but I cannot believe they charge extra if THEY break a plug...

 

I heard the horror stories so decided to have mine done at 80k miles. I went with an independent shop with a supposed good reputation. They quoted $100 less than either Ford dealer in town. The quote was $330 + $35 for each broken plug. Three plugs broke. Truck ran fine but started smelling fuel inside the truck at start-up occasionally, the week after having the plugs changed. Took it back and explained that I didn't have the smell prior to the plug change. They checked it out and said they couldn't find anything wrong, and couldn't smell the fuel smell. Drove it another week and took it in a second time, because I now felt a slight miss, this time requesting that they check the torque of each plug. This time they admitted to being able to smell fuel, but didn't find anything wrong, and said the plugs checked ok. I drove it a few more weeks until I had time to check it out for myself. Found one plug loose, as in able to freely turn either direction, and two more that were hand tight after using the torque wrench to verify. So after checking it myself the fuel smell has disappeared and I'm getting slightly better mileage and performance. I took it in because I didn't want to hassle with it, nor purchase the extractor tool and extensions and swivel ratchets. In the end I should have just done it myself. When will I learn? Only thing left to do is go back to the shop and speak calmly to the service manager and "mechanic" who did the work and two follow-ups. I'm no master mechanic but mechanically inclined and this job is just time consuming and may require a tow to the shop if you run into potential big trouble, IMHO. Also, changed all COPs while I was at it with the 3V Accell yellow ones for $225 for 8 off of Amazon, so far no issues.

 

At 10k-20k you'll start to have issues with those accells .....should've went with visteons instead....imo