How long does it really take to change the spark plugs in my truck? I was told its a 7 hour billable job by a couple mechanics.

Thanks

 

If you have some mechanicing ability, guess about 3 hours. My 99 5.4 took 1.5 hours the first time I did it but Im also a heavy equipment mechanic.

 

Just changed mine yesterday for the third time in four years,every 40,000 or so.Took me 3 hrs.,2 hrs. for the driver side.I don't pull the fuel rails,just pull the bolts on the driver side for some wiggle room to get the coil bolt out on the #3.You have to pull the powersteering resevoir hanger to access the #1.I don't use wobble drives or any thing special,just a combo. of 3/8"extensions depending on the plug and a 1/4" drive for the coil bolts.A true pain but worth $200.00 to me.Don't forget some hi-temp never-sieze for the plugs,they still get stickey feeling even with it applied after so many miles/heat cycles.I run them back in and out when pulling them to keep from stripping the threads on the aluminum heads.Don't forget to blow out the plug hole before you pull them,there is crud in there.I don't have air so I use a shop vac with the bottom half of a transmission funnel duct-taped to the hose attachment.Used Motorcraft platinums to date,no problems.

 

I was thinking Autolite Platinums. We will see how it goes. i always use anti-sieze on the plug threads. good call! Thanks.

 

i didnt remove the fuel rail and it took about 2 hrs. had ratchet, socket, 2 universal sockets, 2, 6, 10 extensions.

 

Don't forget to fill the spark plug boot full of di-electric grease.

 

Took about 1.5 hours for me, and I'm also very well equipped with tools (and was a professional mechanic in a prior life). I think pulling the fuel rail saved a lot of time on the drivers side - two bolts and just lift it up out of the way.

Word of advice - after you pull the coil off, blow air into the spark plug area to blow out the dirt before removing the plug. Also, if you do pull the rail, blow off the area around the base of the injectors as well.

 

takes me under an hour to change mine out...

 

Guess I'm getting slow,know I'm getting old.Under 1 hr.? Geez.Not trying to flame.Need to back off the beer breaks I guess.

 

he doesn't have COPS

 

If your refering to my truck, i do have coil on plugs.

 

I was refering to faster's comment LOL - changeout time

Takes me 2 hours -I don't rush it though...Putting that grease in the right spots is key..

Lookup "Misfire" in this forum to find great COP & coil links (I made it easier to find those deals)

 

oh, ok ha ha

 

yeh my MSD wires are easy to pop on and off and ive gotten proficient at removing the plugs

 

I can do it in a bout an hour without removing the fuel rail. I have done it quite a few times now. The 4.6 is much easier than the 5.4 in the expedition too. 7 billable hours is BS. THe most it should cost would be about $295