COP's (how hard to replace)
 

I am having problems with the COPs (hahahaha).

I replaced two or three last September and the 1997 5.4Liter Expedition went down on 1/1/04 of this year.

This is not a daily driver but we go to the beach and the mountains alot. I have not repaired it this year due to money being tight from multiple vet bills.

I now want to fix it and I thought about replacing all eight. Ford wanted $1,074 a local repair shop wanted $1,124. Another option would be to take it back to where it was first repaired and have them do the balance.

If it were not too hard I would attempt to do it as I have some experience with engine maintenance/small repairs. NAPA wants $400 for a set of 8 and Troyer wants $200 for what they say are Ford Factory.

When looking under the hood it does look like a pain for several of these. In my Haynes guide they say to remove the Fuel Rail.

How hard is this really?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I have removed all the COP's on my 1999 5.4L engine to change spark plugs and it can take some time and patience along with some tools to get to some of the bolts that hold the cop's on. It is not really that bad if you are mechanically inclined.

A 7mm swivel socket and one of those bending magnetic tools is a must in my opinion...

If youre mechanically inclined in anyway, you can do the project. Might was well change spark plugs too since you'll have the COP's off. It took me a few days working after work for a couple of hours to do a plug change. If you have patience it'll be pretty easy.

Changing the COPs is easy. Go ahead do it.

Changing the plugs is another matter. The rear plugs are a bear.

Be patient. Do a search and you will find some threads on plug changing.

Or try this. www.ford-trucks.com/articles/2003/10.php

Thanks guys...I'll give it a shot...Whats the worst that could happen. Break a few nuts off and have it towed in for a complete overhaul.

I'll have to work on the patience thing though.

Tell me about the patience thing... :lol:

My daughter interrupted me while I was changing my plugs and I dropped one of the bolts down in the engine somewhere. It was a really hot day and I proceeded to cuss and started to throw lawn chairs around the yard.

:lol:

I managed to lose a Craftsman socket and fuel injector somewhere in my valley pan. That dang black box(what the &*& is that thing?) kept me from ever finding them. I cussed like a drunk sailor.

Coils are not hard to change Get a swivel impact socket Put a little bit of calking or anything sticky inside the socket that way the bolt will stick in the socket as if it were magnatised and you will not loose the bolts . If youre socket does not stay on the extension tight tape it on. make shure you have some dieletric grease for the spark plug boots, and tighten the bolts by hand at first as they can easily crossthread in the intake manifold. take youre time and save the money this job nor spark plugs are near as hard as they look when you first start. also work with a cool engine. good lucktake youre time You can do it !!!!!!!!!

I am such a wuss....I tried last night and started with what I thought was the most difficult nut/bolt and quickly realized that I may be able to do it but I do not have the patience to do this job so this morning it is sitting in the shop.

Oh well, I guess I know my limits...I could see a "cussin" coming on.

I have never tried it at night. High noon in bright sunlight for me...

It's pretty easy. I swapped out my 98 4.6 for a 5.4 with COP and then proceeded to change the ignition to my original coil packs and plug wires. Use some bees wax in the socket to hold the bolts. A trick I learned as a jet mechanic.

Good luck.