Note -- a copy of this post will be placed under "engines"

98 4.2 is nearing 100K tune up. This has been a great truck, no mods, just sticking to the schedule and using Mobil 1.

1. I was asking the local Goodyear guy about spark plugs, since I had heard they were hard to get out at 100K. Blow me away, he said if they did it it was a $400-plus dollar job and that I probably wouldn't want to do it myself. What in the heck is he talking about? These guys have a very good, no-rip-off reputation. Even with plats, which I assume are stock to go $100k, you're talking just $60 for plugs. And what makes this change any different from what I've done all my life to change plugs?

2. Has anyone NOT changed wires and other ignition stuff with the $100K on the 4.2? Did you regret it? I've over-maintained some vehicles in my time and it just seems to me that if they're still supple and not cracked, they're probably OK.

 

Changing the spark plugs on the V6 is pretty easy. Maybe your mechanic thinks you have the V8? What spark plugs are going to replace them with?

 

Your getting a bad estimate. You can get plug and wires for around $40-50. I would not do anymore business with those guys.

 

Agreed I got both at O'Reilly's for $80 and that was for Motorcraft.

 

So there's nothing exotic or weird about the V-6. I can't imagine what they guy was thinking -- I restated it and he was pretty adamant.

I'm open to other comments and if I get a chance I'll try to talk to a Ford mechanic. I'll post what I find out in case this come up again.

It would really be out of character for these guys to rip me off, especially when they know I do almost all my own work.

 

very high. However, he may be covering his butt. After 100k miles, the spark plugs may be "welded" or corroded to the head. He may be foreseeing that. Still way high, but just a thought. Do em yourself.

 

i did it on my 97 at 135k and there was nothing exotic about it. It was extremely tough becuase they were so hard to get off, my elbow was bruised for a couple of days from the pressure i put on them. But there's nothing special about it and my 97 was a rebuilt car which was not maintained at all before i bought it. On my 2000 v6 its pretty easy.

If I were you I would do it my self. Good luck.

 

Thanks, folks. It sounds to me like a pretty straighforward, traditional plug change. I'll just use a cheater pipe on the wrench to compensate for the $100k corrosion.

Doncha miss the the old straight six? Life was simpler then.

 

Naimnayor7 -- on that 135K tune-up -- did you change out the spark plug wires or leave 'em in?

 

Maybe they were looking at the 4.6, which I have been told needs to have the fuel rail disassembled to get at the plugs....

Also, I'm assuming it is n a truck, right? (I'm only asking because I was given a similar estimate with my e-150, the excuse given was the lack of access)

 

Right, 4.2. I'd read about the fuel rail thing on the 4.6, but there's nothing in the way.

 

And, right, it's a truck. Lack of access in the van? Seem's like it'd be easier from the front AND back.

 

I have had three V-6 engined trucks (family situations made me trade the other two in, I should have this one for a while though...) and one V-8 truck. The V-6 motors were all the 4.2 while the V-8 was a '97 4.6. The V-8 was so difficult (my Pops had it and there was over 140K before the plugs were changed) that I couldn't get all 8 done. I took it in for the final plug and the mechanic was our famly one. Still took him a while and cost me $40.

I have done the V-6 engines a couple of times, and except for bad random luck with wires on the last tune-up, the plugs are not too difficult to change. I had to go in from the wheel well on the passenger side, but it is easier than it sounds. Once you pull the boot off, the plug is right there. Just be careful of the exhaust pipe if you were just running the truck.

$400 is too much. Plug wires and plugs ran me about $80 or so. That was Autolite double Plats and Autolite wires. Had to go to Duralast due to freak occurance of Autolite wire problems. Would have tried Autolite again (warranty kept paying for them) except Autozone didn't have any in stock. Duralast have been fine so far...

 

I got this project done yesterday and as promised, here's report. Everything went fine. (1) There was no need to pull wheels or wheel wells. It was straightforward, old-fashioned plug changing from the top, just like mama taught you. (2) The old plugs, at 95,500 were rusted and burned out a little over a mm over spec. The truck runs a lot better now (duh!). (3) I followed the advice on this thread -- Autolite double plats, dielectric grease, anti-seize. My own tips and techniques:

1. Frame of mind. It helped to be mellow and mentally unhurried. I don't smoke, but if I did, I would have pulled out a stick a few times. Having everything you need laid out, blankets to lean on, step to stand on, and sun on your back helps. Chill.

2. Getting the plug wires off on the right side is tough because, beside being on there 100k and 8 years, there an AC line (I assume) running right in front of them. Be gentle, rock 'em back and forth, and just work with 'em. I finally used little loop of parachute cord in a hero loop over the fatest part of the wire boot. Put a stick or cheater pipe through the loop, and leverage it off the frame and you'll get a nice, straight pull that won't damage anything.

3. Use a cheater pipe. I use an old mountain bike handlebar. It fits over the ratchet, and since it's a little offset you can fit it into some pretty tight spots to get that initial break. It saves a lot of strain and you can concentrate on getting a straight turn on the wrench, reducing the chance of breaking the plug.

4. Note: the new plugs have to be gapped. The Autolites, at least, are not gapped to spec.

5. I put 'em back in by feel, but it was easy to tell when to stop.

Well, maybe this thread will help everybody whose heard all the rumours about expensive and difficult plug changes. On the 4.2, at least, it's straighforward. Thanks, people!

 

Wow, it's amazing what some people would charge for labor. I replaced mine and it was not a difficult task.
You can do it if you have the right tools. Take your time and you will save some $$$.
My advised, do not get off-brand after market plugs and or wires, it will not work as good! Stick with Motorcraft.

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