Decarbonize Engine? Spark Plug Price?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1
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From: Kansas City, MO
Decarbonize Engine? Spark Plug Price?
I had my '97 4.6Liter F-150 in an independent shop for some extended warranty work a while back (difficult starting in cold weather - replaced starter). They said I needed new plugs (70,000 miles) and they said the engine had a heavy carbon build-up. They offered their "decarbonizing" service for something like $125. I have never heard of such a thing. They claim to have a special machine that they attach to the engine that cleans the carbon build-up out of the engine. Has anyone heard of this? I suspect they are just trying to squeeze more money out of me. I told them no thanks for now. What is your opinion?
And what is a good price to replace the spark plugs on the '97 4.6 V8 in a F-150? This shop wanted over $200.
And what is a good price to replace the spark plugs on the '97 4.6 V8 in a F-150? This shop wanted over $200.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 255
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From: Brownell, Kansas, USA
The price on the spark plugs depends on what you're getting for that, if you're gettin a good plug, such as any name brand platinum or such plug, and they are doing the install, I'd say that would be a decent deal. If however you have tools, and are slightly mechanically you could do it yourself, and probably only have 30 dollars in the price of the plugs. As for the "decarbonization" i've never heard of such shananigans. There could be such thing, but.. i've never heard of them.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 141
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From: Houston, TX
I've heard of those decarbonization machines. Expensive and effective. For about $5 you can do it yourself with a can of AMSOIL's Power Foam. With the V8 and its age, it may take 2 to get everything really clean. Takes about 45 minute to and hour to get it all done. Ford sells this same type of product for over $20 and then charge you an arm and a leg for labor.
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 94
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From: Medford, MA
I work for an automotive tool warehouse, and we sell decarb machines. They work really well. depending on which machine they are using, depends on how much difference you will see. Each company uses different chemicals.
The carbon builds up in the engine from not going a lot of miles. 70k over 4 or 5 yrs would be enough to have build up. It should increase your gas mileage and performance of your truck. We have done demos on cars that wouldn't pass MA emissions inspection, and after the decarb they went through with flying colors.
The price that a shop will charge depends on the shop.
The carbon builds up in the engine from not going a lot of miles. 70k over 4 or 5 yrs would be enough to have build up. It should increase your gas mileage and performance of your truck. We have done demos on cars that wouldn't pass MA emissions inspection, and after the decarb they went through with flying colors.
The price that a shop will charge depends on the shop.