What would be a good estimate for replacement of the following on a 1998 F150 w/4.6L V8?

Spark Plugs
Serpitine Belt
Fuel Filter

Thanks, Jim

 

Not sure what the going shop rates are - and it will depend on whether you take it to a dealer or your local mechanic.

You can buy OEM replacement plugs from the local parts store for about $3-$4 each.
A serpentine belt will run about $30-$35
A fuel filter is in the $15 range.

Guessing if you have a local mechanic do the work - looking at about $100 labor, plus a markup on the parts along the lines of 30-50% - so my best-us guess-tus is in the $225-$250 range. Haven't messed with the coil-over set-up, so don't know about any extra work because of this.

 

Plugs and belt should be fairly easy, but I do not know about the accessibility of the fuel filter on that model. Be likely one to two hour job ( pending fuel filter access ) for most folks, and average shop it $60 to $75 an hour for labor and WDE3477 is bout dead on for prices on parts....

 

The fuel filter is under the frame rail. It's never been changed. I can't get the lines loose myself.

I was quoted about $350 for the work.

 

That sounds like a fair price. My sister paid over $500.00 for the same amount of work at the dealer.

 

I have never had to do the serpentine belt or the
spark plugs on my 1997 F - 150, with the 4.6 engine.

But I did do the fuel filter after getting a dealer quote
of $ 89 for labor to replace the fuel filter. This did not include the new filter.

My fuel filter lives on the frame under the driver side door.

The fuel filter cost $ 11.00 and some change. A good
strong fuel filter wrench cost about $ 8.00. Tell the Autozone guy what you are doing and be sure to get a
good strong metal ( no plastic ) wrench.
Ask him how to use it.

Buy a can of WD - 40 spray and spray the ends of the fuel filter where they fit into the connector. This is at the in and outlet of the old fuel filter.

Loosen the filter from the frame and snap out the fittings and replace.

It helps to have an empty coffee can to catch any drippage and it goes without saying that you are not
smoking while performing this job. It also helps if you mark the direction of flow on the new filter with a fat felt tip pen just so you know for sure that you did not put it on backwards.

I figure that I saved at least $ 80 on this job and it was
very easy to do and took about 15 minutes.

Ken H.