Another Member
 

I've joined some other US based Forums. Glad to see a Canadian site. I'm hoping to get some pointers from other Canadian members on where they get their car serviced reasonably. A dealer I took mine to (Northstar Ford in Calgary) seems to think they will get rich on me. Requested an estimate to Replace the spark plugs - $500 if none break $1200 if they all break. At a charge of $140 per hour I'll do it myself.

I started to take my F150 there because I know a guy in service but they've tried so many times to jack me around I'm probably going elsewhere for my next service. They told me all kinds of stuff that would probably work on people who aren't car smart in a effort to make money. I've heard good things about Metro Ford downtown and Advantage Ford used to claim to be the best Mustang dealer in Canada.

Welcome to CMOC. Glad to have you join us. When you get a chance post some pics of your Stang. :D

Hi Herbz
Thanks for the confirmation that you too have had a bad experience @ Northstar. Thought I've give them a try since I live in the NW and it is convenient for me. I'll give Metro Ford a call and ask them what they charge. Your lucky your 08 doesn't have the breaking spark plug issue.

I think one thing you'll find is everyone's shop rate is relatively the same right in that $140 range in the city.

As for the 3V spark plug change nightmare, I don't know how many km's you're at but the sooner you change them the better. F150's with the 3V 5.4 had the same problem and I know people who have rung up the $1200 bill from leaving them too long.

^ Our dealer in town just did an F150 of my buddy's and it came in right around 1200.

I only have 60K on my 2007. I think I'll buy the Lisle tool and do/try it myself. No way I'm going to spend up to $1200 unless I'm forced to. Anyone have any experience doing it themselves? I've seen the Youtube video and read lots of other forums and it seems that IF they break off, the tool does work remarkably well so I will give it a try.
Re the $140 per hour charge - I want a mechanic no a doctor. Won't go to the stealership unless force to. These forums are generally awesome to find out how to do these things or to find other sources for service.

I'd ask the various Ford Dealers in the area. Although I bought my Mustang from Denny Andrews Ford in Edmonton I took it to Healy Ford for Service....quite a bit cheaper.

$62.50 per plug for a V8 is a bit much. Don't think they are that difficult to get too. Hold do they come to the $150.00 per plug figure if one breaks.

$1200.00 /8 = $150.00...should have been a mechanic or a dealer.

While do you need to change out the plugs? Still have my original ones in my 2005?

Ray
You're lucky with the V6 - no plug issues. On V8's from 05 to early 08, they used a 2 piece plug because of a head re-design to prevent spark plugs from blowing out of the heads.The threaded part of the plug is near the porcelain and there is a long extension (about an inch) to get the tip into the combustion chamber. This extension part gets a carbon buildup between it and the head and this makes it tough to remove. With too much torque the plug, comes apart and leaves this extension in the hole. Then you need a special tools specifically called a "Ford Broken Spark Plug Removal tool" to remove it. Champion makes a 1 piece plug to alleviate the problem and also Ford recommends removing the plug and putting on some never seize to make future removal easier. The plugs are also expensive thus the charges ($500 to remove and replace and up to an extra $700 if they have to use the tool).

I changed mine at about 30000 km. The best advice I can give you is "slow and easy". I soaked the plug wells in a little Seafoam Deep Creep over night and then using a torque wrench set at the specified torque for tightening, very slowed cracked each one. No more than 1/4 turn and then sprayed a bit more Deep Creep in well to soak then another hour or 2 depending how hard they cracked. Then again very slowly turn them another 1/4 turn and more soak time. continue this way until they are out. Do not turn back and forth, just very slowly turn out. Do not flood plug well with Deep Creep as it will drain into cylinders and make it very hard to start after. It took me 2 days, 5 came out fairly easy, 3 were a bear. Ford has a plug removal procedure...it works. http://www.saac-mcr.com/main/2008_TS...park_Plugs.pdf