Another Member
#1
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.
#2
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.
#4
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.
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.
#5
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.
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.
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.
#7
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.
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.
#8
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?
$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?
#9
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).
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).
#10
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.