Spark plug replacement at dealership

[joethefordguy]

I think the argument that the car manufacturers automatically know more than we do is a dangerous and shortsighted argument. The proper counter is probably something like "it depends". I think it's more true that the manufacturer's knowledge is trumped by the collective experience of the users in the field; experience and knowledge that the manufacturer only gains secondhand at best.
A problem is that field experience is not always collected by professionals, and is strongly weighted by anecdotal evidence; but in any case is not to be categorically discounted in favor of the manufacturer.

 

[rjdelp7]

I think the argument that the car manufacturers automatically know more than we do is a dangerous and shortsighted argument. The proper counter is probably something like "it depends". I think it's more true that the manufacturer's knowledge is trumped by the collective experience of the users in the field; experience and knowledge that the manufacturer only gains secondhand at best.
A problem is that field experience is not always collected by professionals, and is strongly weighted by anecdotal evidence; but in any case is not to be categorically discounted in favor of the manufacturer.

The 'spark plug' issue was a major embarrassment for Ford. It affected a massive number of truck owners. Ford developed a 'special' tool, for extraction. Engineers, Monday morning quarterbacked the repair. They issued a TSB, to remove them cold. There must be a GOOD reason.

 

[TobyU]

The 'spark plug' issue was a major embarrassment for Ford. It affected a massive number of truck owners. Ford developed a 'special' tool, for extraction. Engineers, Monday morning quarterbacked the repair. They issued a TSB, to remove them cold. There must be a GOOD reason.

And yet many shop techs say they experience fewer broken ones by letting engine war slightly (not hot).
I think the two day method is safest. Soak for 2-3 hours. Crack loose about 1/4 turn. Continue soaking. Then carb cleaner after penetrating oil soak down or after it doesn't and you blow it out with air gun.
Then soak with penetrating oil last time for 2-3 hours then remove easily....going back and forth tightening and loosening a little bit back and forth. Warm or cold....your decision.
I don't want to stick COPs back in to run but it may help.

You can also pour Berryman B-12 in the plug well as it is stronger than carb spray.

Manufacturers give tsb and ADVICE to techs...then the techs find ways to perfect the procedure and speed up the process.
This end result is what you are looking for ....BUT the work at a dealer is no better than the flunky new tech you happen to get working on your baby that day.

And God help your oil plug or trans pan bolts if you are having oil change or pan drop!!!

 

[Plati]

....BUT the work at a dealer is no better than the flunky new tech you happen to get working on your baby that day

OR the work done at a dealer is by an experienced trained skilled careful mechanic supported by manufacturer supplied proprietary information and tools.

Sort of like anywhere at any shop (without the manufacturer info) …

I know from my experience at Xerox, I would want a Xerox Tech working on my printer!

Sounds like your opinion is, if any Dealer ever made any mistake once then all Dealers are bad and always make mistakes?

 

[TobyU]

OR the work done at a dealer is by an experienced trained skilled careful mechanic supported by manufacturer supplied proprietary information and tools.

Sort of like anywhere at any shop (without the manufacturer info) …

I know from my experience at Xerox, I would want a Xerox Tech working on my printer!

Sounds like your opinion is, if any Dealer ever made any mistake once then all Dealers are bad and always make mistakes?

No. Not at all. Just that you are not guaranteed to have high-quality careful Master techs working on your vehicle just because it's at a dealership. I have a personal friend who was not very mechanically inclined at all who lucked out and got a job at a GM dealership. He became very good at doing the intake manifolds on the 3400 minivans. He's an ace at it now but I bet he screwed up quite a few of the first ones before he got The hang of it.
There have been certain issues like the Taurus sho original one with the Yamaha engine with shim under bucket valve adjustments that I have told people don't bother to go to any garage. Take it straight to the dealer. They have the equipment to diagnose and parts for that crazy engine.
But you do have to remember that typically they put their low man on the totem pole or new young kid doing oil changes and tranny pan bolts.