spark plug debate
 

I took the car in to the Ford dealer to get the spark plugs changed today. I have 70,000 kms on it and hoping they are going to come out ok. I purchased Champion #7989 one piece plugs for it. I thought that was safer than putting the ford two piece ones in. The service advisor said that there have been issues with misfires on the champions. I looked on line before i bought them and did not see any complaints about that. Anyone experience misfires with these plugs? stay tuned, I haven't got it back yet today.:?

No stories here on plugs but personally I always use authentic Ford parts when having my car serviced. Good luck either way.

Looks like they are keeping it overnight to let the carbon cleaner soak in so they come out without breaking. That makes me nervous. No charge for waiting for this to work! LOL

Can you imagine haha. What is the shop rate in the Windsor area these days and what dealership attends to your cars needs. I always used Rose City myself (1999-2006) and now it's Metro Ford in downtown Calgary. I think I saw their rates listed at 110.00/hr give or take a few bucks.

I just about laughed at the guy on the phone at Metro when he told me that when I was calling about a quote for a new rear-end in my F150.

Red Stang, at 70k your plugs shouldn't be too difficult to get out. Hopefully it works out for you. F150's had/have the same problem and my Dad ended up with a $1300 bill when 7 of his 8 broke but that was at double the kilometers you're at.

To Snakebit - The dealer is Ken Knapp in Essex. I am not exactly sure about the hourly rate but I expect it to be around the $110 like you said.

To Herbz - when I first went in they said that they had not had a problem with any mustang and couldn't understand why I would want to put champion plugs in. They did say they have had lots of problems with the 5.4 trucks. When they called back they said there were at least two that were being difficult so they wanted it to soak.

They said the standard rate should apply unless they break off but they were confident they would get them out with taking the heads off.

I am keeping my fingers crossed. It ran great going in - lets hope it comes out the same way.

sorry - Snakebite not Snakebit

I've heard some issues with the Champions,porcelain breaking by the electrode and misfires, mainly on the F150. The Autolites are fine just check them every 30,000 km. As for them keeping your car overnight, that's a good thing the plugs are supposed to be removed with the engine cold. There's less chance off breakage. To often the dealerships dont care about breaking them.

I think you made a good choice on the plugs, the Champion 1 piece are the only way to go. As for soaking the plugs overnight good move, I have heard so many stories about broken plugs take a look at what condition mine were in.. Click here

I know back on the 2v 5.4 and 4.6 we had lots of truck come in with misfires after a recent tune up from a jobber shop. They always had Champion plugs and we would always find a few that the porcelain had cracked. I wouldn't run them in my vehicle after seeing that.