Tune Up, Sit Down for Price

[Txbhunter1]

I have an 05,F-150 and it was time for a tune up, ie., plugs, boots and so on. I took it in and as most of you know, these are the ones that usually have the back plug on either side break while taking them out. The mech called me and told me they were able to get them all out, (All 8) without breaking a one. "Cool"!!!! then the addeds came in. Since I have several long hunting trips planned this yr, I had them go ahead and flush my transmission, transfer and both diff's. Here comes the sitting down part, final invoice......................drum roll please....................$1,033.98. For 8 plugs, 8 boots and a fluid flush. The cost for the plugs and boots alone was over 6 bills. I hope this one lasts another 100k. Still need to flush the power steering and brakes master along with radiator. Guess that'll be another $500 or so. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[bowhuntertex]

I have an '03 and they cost for a tune up is rediculous. My heater corp went out and it is gonna cost me about a grand to replace a $40 part. Have to completely remove the dash, drain the AC and take apart just to get to the heater core......Freaking crazy. I am wanting to retrofit my '76 chevy with fuel injection so I can get about 15 miles to the gallon and start driving it all the time......

[ladrones]

You could have bought the special socket for the spark plug removel for under 30 bucks. Thats a big bill for such an easy/common job.

[Spoken0313]

For 8 plugs, 8 boots and a fluid flush. The cost for the plugs and boots alone was over 6 bills.

I sure hope that was including a couple of the coil packs?

[Txbhunter1]

Yeah, maybe, but I have heard alot of horror stories for these motors and they way the plugs are set in ref to the cooling systems on the heads and the last thing I wanted was to be without and having to pull alot more just for as plug. I have another p/u to drive but...........................better left to the guys that have all the tools. Besides, I have also heard of that plug wrench costing upwards of 300 bucks. All coil packs were checked and found to be good. I thought of that before hand so I did not have to change out a plug again after a coil went out.

[QuackAddict]

Holy crap!

Now I know what i'm in for.

[Spoken0313]

Txb I see your in Tomball, that's pretty close to me. Where did you take your truck into if you don't mind me asking?

[WCB]

I had 4 out of 8 plugs break on my 04 F-150... Bought the removal tool from Napa for $100. Piece of cake.

[KDinTX]

man thats bad, i cant even imagine what its gonna cost for my fiances durango then. She got the hemi and they have 16 spark plugs!!, and i cant get my hand in there to change them, i honestly dont know how one would do it unless from underneath the vehicle

[Spoken0313]

The ones that usually break are on the 3 valve fords it was just a bad design and they don't always break but sometimes they do and sometimes you gotta go as far as removing the head to get the plug out. Like all things tho it could always be worse!

[Txbhunter1]

Spoken,
I took it to Accurate Auto, just west of N. Eldridge on Spring Cypress. After all of the horror stories like I said, I left it to the guys that have the exper. in doing day after day. I have also heard of guys taking them to the dealerships and having them only change 6 of the 8 cause the back 2 are the ones that usually break and they just do not change them and still charge you the full. Really bad design in my eyes.

[a3dhunter]

Sorry it cost you so much, thankful I drive a truck that doesn't have that problem.

[theluckyhunter]

how is it designed that you cant keep them from breaking? its hard to imagine paying anything remotely close to that for spark plugs

[TXBlkCld]

Did they give you the 55 gal drum of lube for yourself. Sounds like you needed it. Ouch.

[blacksunshine]

here is a thread with info on the subject:

http://www.f150forum.com/f4/5-4l-3v-spark-plugs-engine-build-dates-before-10-09-07-a-56871/