Spark Plugs

[TA2Dsailor]

What spark plugs do yall recommend? Also how much have you guys paid to get them done? I just called a Ford service place and they said $540 parts and labor. Or 206 without plugs. Last time i checked plugs were not 334 bucks. I'll break the plugs myself before I pay that.

[88Racing]

That $ sounds high usually around $300-$400. Call around even if it's an hour drive away. But on the other hand is the carbon cleaning service being done also? You can do that part yourself just use sea foam or berrymans in the tank for a couple of fill ups.
Most are putting the stock kind back in and following the tsb to the letter. Some have tried aftermarket plugs and did have the best of luck. Brisk has the best aftermarket one out there but be aware a it's not a 100k plug like the stock ones. Stock plugs have the platinum tips and brisk doesn't. So brisk might be a 20-30k plug.

I just want to find 08.5 heads then I won't have to worry about it ever! Or as long as I own it.

Lars

[Power Hungry]

If I remember correctly, stock Motorcraft plugs are like $12.00 to $14.00 each.

[88Racing]

Originally Posted by Power Hungry

If I remember correctly, stock Motorcraft plugs are like $12.00 to $14.00 each.

So you take that amount $96-$112 for eight of them.

There's a post called "Spark plug change" 04fx4 quoted the price of $490.
I don't know what the job rate is or the service rate so it's kind of hard to add the rest up for you. I have read up to $720 for a change! That's with no breakage.

My best advice, call around and get prices.

Lars

[04FX4]

If it was me doing this all over again, I would still go to the dealership, and have the motorcraft plugs installed. The dealership would probably be the best bet as they have done this a 1000 times. You can do it yourself as well but may not be worth the stress that may be involved...

[dplummer87]

I heard the plugs on our trucks were a Pain...but are they really that bad I cant imagine paying $500 for it... ( never paid to change them on any of my vehicle but they were all older models cars)

[Jackpine]

Originally Posted by dplummer87

I heard the plugs on our trucks were a Pain...but are they really that bad I cant imagine paying $500 for it... ( never paid to change them on any of my vehicle but they were all older models cars)

Have you looked at the TSB on changing the plugs? If not, here's a download: http://www.justanswer.com/uploads/jm...sb08-07-06.pdf It's a whole heck of a lot more than just attacking the engine with a deep well socket.

From what I can determine, it takes GREAT patience, and your truck is sitting in the shop (taking up space that can't be used for anything else) for a long time. Plus, just getting at the rear passenger side plug seems a bit of a "trick" (at least the engine doesn't have to be removed like a certain GM product about 40 years ago).

I DO wish Motorcraft would simply redesign the things to be one-piece, but I guess that's too simple.

I used to change my own plugs too, but these, I'll pass on. Oh, and to answer TA2Dsailor's question, I plan to stick with Motorcraft plugs too.

- Jack

[svt2205]

Originally Posted by TA2Dsailor

What spark plugs do yall recommend? Also how much have you guys paid to get them done? I just called a Ford service place and they said $540 parts and labor. Or 206 without plugs. Last time i checked plugs were not 334 bucks. I'll break the plugs myself before I pay that.

I just did mine last weekend. Not a fun experience at all. Even following the TSB you still have a good chance for broken plugs. I had 3. Make sure you buy an extraction tool and there are a few different one's. I have the Matco tool, but if you visit their website you'll find 2 different ones. One that just removes the metal tube and another that has a item to push the porcelin down so the extraction tap can get into the tube. If I had to do this again, I'd buy that one vs the basic tool I bought. Add to this you will need to buy a spark plug socket so you can remove the plugs. And you'll need to track down some Motorcraft carburetor tuneup or cleaner. The TSB, 08-7-6 spells it out very well. If you've not seen them broken, there are 3 different ways they break. If you'res break like the 3rd photo, you'll need to find a way to get the center electrode out before you can work on the porcelin. http://www.brokensparkplug.com/ Two of my three broke this way. Find a set of very long reach, like 11 inch or so needle nose pliers. The off the shelf long reach pliers wont even reach. Trust me on this one.

I bought my plugs thru rockauto, MOTORCRAFT Part # SP507 {#PZT14F}
and they were only 7.32 before applying the discount.

While your dealer may be expensive, there is a certain amount of peace of mind that you're paying for. And if you do it yourself and you can't get the dam things out. How much do you think it will cost you to get the truck towed and repaired? I'd put money on it being far more then their initial bill.

Good luck whatever way you go

[TA2Dsailor]

After reading what everyone has said I think I'll suck it up and pay to have it done. There goes my uniform money Thanks to all that replied.

[Jackpine]

Henry - please don't think my comment on broken plugs caused by "rushing" was aimed at everyone. It's also clear that some plugs are just too carbon fouled to get out in one piece. You certainly seem to know what you're doing - and, you're braver than I am.

I'm curious, what kind of driving do you do? Is it mostly city, mixture of city and highway or mostly highway? I've been trying to get a feel of the effect of this on plug breakage. My gut feeling is that highway driving should cause the least carbon buildup and would give less plug breakage.

Bluejay, over on f150Online swears by Techron as a carbon buildup preventive. Personally, I've never thought much of gas additives, but maybe in this case....

I wonder too if the anti-seize around the plug nose will stop future breakage? We'll have to wait a while to find that out, won't we?

- Jack