writing the check for the 4.6
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4
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From: conroe,Tx , usa
writing the check for the 4.6
I dropped the truck off this morning (Dealer)
The check engine light is on and the idle is intermittent good, bad. Here is what they tell me. They say it has a vac leak at the upper and lower intake. Also the plugs are at 90 (worn) and need to be at 52. The plug wires are miss firing. I don't doubt the diagnosis, just concerned over the bill. 895.00 They tell me they are going to do a major tune-up.( flushing injectors with some sort-of abrasive cleaner)and replacing wires plugs and gaskets. Does this price seem reasonable. 1997 f150 x-cab lwb 4.6 auto XL 126K
[This message has been edited by madman (edited 03-02-2000).]
[This message has been edited by madman (edited 03-02-2000).]
The check engine light is on and the idle is intermittent good, bad. Here is what they tell me. They say it has a vac leak at the upper and lower intake. Also the plugs are at 90 (worn) and need to be at 52. The plug wires are miss firing. I don't doubt the diagnosis, just concerned over the bill. 895.00 They tell me they are going to do a major tune-up.( flushing injectors with some sort-of abrasive cleaner)and replacing wires plugs and gaskets. Does this price seem reasonable. 1997 f150 x-cab lwb 4.6 auto XL 126K
[This message has been edited by madman (edited 03-02-2000).]
[This message has been edited by madman (edited 03-02-2000).]
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 107
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From: little rock,ark
DONT DO IT! GET SECOND OPINION, and realize your intermittent idle problem is due to only one malfuntion, not multiple things happening at the same time. I would do the cheapest thing (plugs) and see if there is an improvement. There may indeed be a vacuum leak, but it may not be the source of your problem. Ford seems to like to do this, that is give multiple diagnosis for one problem. In other words they dont know what it is, but they know it is probably one of the things they brought up. I have NEVER seen a rough idle problem be caused my multiiple dysfuntions at the same time except in very old cars that have been running poorly for a very long time. Good luck! Here is my 2 cents in what I would do - replace plugs, no change, replace wires, no change, clean injectors, no change, seal thier so called "vacuum leaks." If they seal the leaks and it still doesnt work, I would ask for my money back on that job. keep us posted!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Georgia
$895.00...OUCH! Get a second opinion for sure! That seems VERY high!!! Most of it will be billed as labor I am sure. Even with 126,000 miles...it might be worth the extra time and effort and a money saver...even *if* they are correct.
The plugs and wires you can do yourself...the vac leak (if true)..well..maybe not.
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99
The plugs and wires you can do yourself...the vac leak (if true)..well..maybe not.
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Milford, OH
Don't do it! You can buy plugs for under $60, plug wires for under $100, not sure how much to clean injectors.
If you have any mechanical ability you can do this all yourself. And save yourself a bundle of money in the process.
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97 F-150 S/C 4x4 ORP XLT 4.6 K&N , Flowmaster w/dual tailpipes, Bosch+4 plugs,Ford 9mm wires,Superchip.Patriot fiberglass toneau cover, Westin chrome step bars.
Kenwood 4011 stereo, Rockford 150a1 amp, Profile electronic crossover, and 2 10" JBL's.
FUTURE STEREO MODS:
Memphis components in front, Pioneer 3ways in rear, amp for the components, and a cd changer.
FUTURE PERFORMANCE MODS:
4.10 gears, Edlebrock shocks, supercharger, Airaid, power pulleys.
If you have any mechanical ability you can do this all yourself. And save yourself a bundle of money in the process.
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97 F-150 S/C 4x4 ORP XLT 4.6 K&N , Flowmaster w/dual tailpipes, Bosch+4 plugs,Ford 9mm wires,Superchip.Patriot fiberglass toneau cover, Westin chrome step bars.
Kenwood 4011 stereo, Rockford 150a1 amp, Profile electronic crossover, and 2 10" JBL's.
FUTURE STEREO MODS:
Memphis components in front, Pioneer 3ways in rear, amp for the components, and a cd changer.
FUTURE PERFORMANCE MODS:
4.10 gears, Edlebrock shocks, supercharger, Airaid, power pulleys.
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 3
From: Kansas side of the greater KC area
895.00 is alot of money for a tune up most dealers around here charge about 90 dollars for a tune up on a V8 a little less on a V6 or straight 6 and about half that on a 4 banger but thats just changing plugs and maybe wires
Member
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Rossford,OH
Wolvirn704
I live and work just down the road from you. I've got some questions about Local Ford Dealers and a few maint. items. Drop me an E-mail to Dstaley2@lof.com.
Thanks
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'97 F-150 4x4 4.6L Auto Off Road Moonlight Blue
Tow package, Westin Chrome Nerf bars, Color matched bug shield
Linex bed liner, Wizard Ultra White Headlights
I live and work just down the road from you. I've got some questions about Local Ford Dealers and a few maint. items. Drop me an E-mail to Dstaley2@lof.com.
Thanks
------------------
'97 F-150 4x4 4.6L Auto Off Road Moonlight Blue
Tow package, Westin Chrome Nerf bars, Color matched bug shield
Linex bed liner, Wizard Ultra White Headlights
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
I have to agree. Sounds like a real grab-bag deal. BTW, it looks like plugs would be easy to change, if by chance, the upper intake manifold wasn't there in the way (hint, hint). And the lower intake is attached to the upper intake.
Separately, if the plug gaps are really that wide now, firing through the wire insulation is much easier, as the voltage across the plug is going to raise pretty high before it can jump the wider gap. That's roughly a 50% wider gap, thats a lot! That alone could be your problem. As mentioned earlier, when you do it yourself, you can do one thing at a time, and see if that fixes it.
Separately, if the plug gaps are really that wide now, firing through the wire insulation is much easier, as the voltage across the plug is going to raise pretty high before it can jump the wider gap. That's roughly a 50% wider gap, thats a lot! That alone could be your problem. As mentioned earlier, when you do it yourself, you can do one thing at a time, and see if that fixes it.
