Hey everyone I have recently encountered a nasty situation you all may be interested in. I recently had an issue where my 2005 F150 supercrew FX4 5.4 liter (92k miles)was running as if a cylinder was mis-firing. I didnt get a check engine light right away. I first noticed it would have a hesitation while at a cruise on the highway, then it got worse until it did get a check engine light. I ran into an old friend a mechanic and he said it was probably the coil and a spark plug. But he said dont bring it to him because those plugs are a real bear to get out. I took it to a ford dealer and discussed it with them they said that was true they would have to soak the plug over night and that wouldnt ensure they would come out. Of course it didnt. The guy told me that out of every 8 they take out. 4 break. I said what was Ford doing about this situation they said nothing. I went to get my truck and was told that it was my #5 coil and plug and that they soaked it over night but it broke and I had to pay to remove it. I said let me get this right? Ford has a design flaw that causes a routine maintenence item to snap off in the engine block and they want me to pay the 2 hour labor charge to get it out??? what do I do about the other 7 spark plugs which probably need replacement too? Pay $200 dollars a piece plus the $19 for the plug? Is it a dream? I called ford and they said they know this is a problem and have fixed it in the new trucks. I asked why should a customer have to pay for a flaw in a trucks design which causes a routine replacement item to break and increase the cost significantly be my problem? Shouldnt I pay for the plug and a reasonable charge to change the plug and you foot the bill for the flaw. they said NO. We are sorry but ford isnt doing anything about it. I understand this is a big problem in NJ because everyone I have spoke too has heard of the issue and it affects many years of the F150. I wish I knew this before I bought this truck. $34,795 for a truck and Ford is telling me to go pound sand because they cant designe a engine where there plugs you replace at a maintenence interval wont come out. I have changed plugs in every car truck and bike I have ever owned and besides the Corvette I had never took more than 30 minutes. I would have bought a Nissan Titon or Toyota Tundra. I would like to get a class action law suit together and sue them for this ignorant arrogent additude they have. People just want to be treated fair. And expecting a customer to foot the bill for your error is unbelievable.

 

I just changed the plugs in my 99 and after that ordeal I will never change them again! They are really in the worst spot possible for plugs!! and yeah if they just put them on the sides like every other engine it would be so much easier.. But I thought they actually had a pretty good design for not breaking plugs, because the hole they were in did not alow for any movement of the socket besides rotating it, so you cant really bend on the plug. I did all 8 with a normal 5/16 socket and didn't break one, I did think I broke one so what I did was loosened the plug, then I got a modified shop vac (duct taped a garden hose on the end so it would fit in the hole) and tried to vacuumn out any of the ceramic shards that would have been left by breaking the plug, then I got a speaker magnet and put it on the end of the socket extension and pulled her out... haha after all that work I was kinda pissed when the plug came out in one piece

 

Did you search the forum? This is an issue that has been discussed a lot. Yes you are right, they should help the consumer out.

 

Isn't this the same company that said it would be cheaper to deal with the lawsuits than fix the exploding Pinto problem?

 

I know it sucks but.... I paid the dealer to do mine because i live in a apartment and they do not allow us to work on cars in the parking lot. It cost me a flat 415.00. They all came out though without breaking and I got it back the same day. Even if i had to pay double I would NEVER buy a toyota or nissan truck.
Maybe the plugs have some issues but at least the ford trucks dont rust and break in half or have other huge metal quality issues like Toyota. Or use thin chincy steal like toyota and nissan. Those are not trucks, the are full sized cars wihtout trunk lids. I know a guy that put 4 sets of front brakes on his titan before 50K. They all have their issues. Plus have you ever seen the engine compartment in a nissan or toyota? You saw the compartment but no engine. Its buried in plastic and aint any eisier to work on than fords. Plus there labor and parts rates are higher. They clain your payin for quality but you are just paying for a name and some guys fancy house and toys in Japan
So do you want a TRUCK with a few issues here and there or a over priced, under-bilt grocery getter with a fanacy name and a mindless following that listens to every comercial on TV telling them toyota is the best. Ha (sarcastic) foreign trucks are a JOKE!

Wow... I feel so much better.

 

well spoken

 

I am dreading this, get to do it this winter...have not decided if I want to tackle it myself or bend over and send it to the dealer.


I can think of plenty of other things I would like to buy for $400 besides spark plugs.

 

If you have the ability, check with other ford dealers. From what I have read and experienced each is different. I ended up getting mine done at a dealer in the Kansas City area, and they said it would be about 220.00, plus 1/2 hour labor for each plug that broke. Totaled out to be 370.00 with them breaking 3 plugs. I have read elsewhere that some dealers are charging upwards of 2000 after breaking plugs. Ridiculous, but some dealers are trying harder than others to be fair.

 

first of all i would never get anything besides a ford all those other trucks are jokes for sure... But really what shops are you guys taking your trucks to? Those are horrible prices for plug changes.. I know our plugs are located in bad locations but thoses prices are ridiculous. and Im only a 21 yr old and yeah ive worked on and built a couple toys/ motors but i dont work on vehicles for a living and when i changed my plugs I didnt break one

 

This has been a real issue with Ford. First, there was the problem with the trucks blowing out the plugs. Some trucks (and other Ford vehicle) would not keep sparks plugs in the heads. Ford fixed it. Only problem, you couldn't get the plugs out without breaking them. What will the lastest version (starting with the 2008s) bring us? Hmmmmm, how long have vehicles used spark plugs without these issues?

If you have a dealer that breaks 4 plugs, you need to find another mechanic. Many mechanics (especially Ford mechanics) have developed a feel and technique that they almost never break a plug. There are others that can never seem to get one out. And there are others that are going to charge you for broken plugs wheither they broke them or not (and of course they will not show you the broken plugs).