Hello - Need Troubleshooting Ideas for Problem with my Expedition

[tawstuart]

Hi! I have a 2011 Expedition. A few nights ago I was driving - heard a loud pop - then it sounded like a jack hammer was under my hood.

I had it towed as the car was acting strange and getting louder with the engine light on. The shop says it is a spark plug issue and will require the engine to be removed to get to the area.

It will be $2k to fix. Any ideas as to how to address?

Thanks!

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hi! I have a 2011 Expedition. A few nights ago I was driving - heard a loud pop - then it sounded like a jack hammer was under my hood.

I had it towed as the car was acting strange and getting louder with the engine light on. The shop says it is a spark plug issue and will require the engine to be removed to get to the area.

It will be $2k to fix. Any ideas as to how to address?

Thanks!

What type of spark plug issue?

Why does the engine have to be removed?

What repairs will be done for the $2,000.00?

 

[JerryT]

Hi! I have a 2011 Expedition. A few nights ago I was driving - heard a loud pop - then it sounded like a jack hammer was under my hood.

I had it towed as the car was acting strange and getting louder with the engine light on. The shop says it is a spark plug issue and will require the engine to be removed to get to the area.

It will be $2k to fix. Any ideas as to how to address?

Thanks!

Sounds like something much more serious than a spark plug issue. Ask your mechanic again and get a better explanation of the problem.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

A. What type of spark plug issue?

B. Why does the engine have to be removed?

C. What repairs will be done for the $2,000.00?

A) I'm not a mechanic by any means, but am fairly knowledgeable of how IC engines work, and the only spark plug issue I know of that would make that sound is if one just basically exploded from the inside out....now that WOULD make a very loud sound indeed..as well as cause significant damage to the insides of the cylinder if the engine continued to run afterward.... however, a failing coil pack could also make a loud sound too..

B) If the shop says the engine needs to be removed JUST to replace a spark plug, then either:

1) They have a legitimate reason to believe it was damaged during the incident, or
2) They're out their friggin mind and don't know what they're doing, even though there are a few hoses/tubes that need to be disconnected/moved out of the way to get the rear plugs, or
3) They believe they've found a sucker who they can rip off big time....

I'm leanin towards either #2 or #3....

Now let me explain how I know this...

A) I also own a 011 EL Limited that is due for new coil packs & plugs
B) 2 local ford dealers quoted me $860-900 for the job last week, including all new Ford/Motorcraft parts, and had no problem explaining exactly what would be involved to get 'er done....
C) My other trusted shop of 10+ years quoted me $520 last week for the same job (all labor) if I buy/bring the parts, and they concurred on what needed to be removed to make it happen....

But as always, YMMV, and you gotta go with your gut feelings on this matter, so good luck & please post back here with the results if you can..

 

[tawstuart]

Thank you all for your insight. I will get more information and post.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Hi! I have a 2011 Expedition. A few nights ago I was driving - heard a loud pop - then it sounded like a jack hammer was under my hood.

I had it towed as the car was acting strange and getting louder with the engine light on. The shop says it is a spark plug issue and will require the engine to be removed to get to the area.

It will be $2k to fix. Any ideas as to how to address?

Thanks!

A plug may have blown out. Whatever you do, have the boots replaced along with the spark plugs. The boot kit includes a spring which makes contact with the coil and spark plug. I paid Ford $900 to change my plugs and they did not bother to change the boots.

 

[Gary Waugh]

From your description, it sounds like the spark plug has blown out. The question is did it come out and bring the thread with it (you will need a helicoil fitting, or did it just work loose and thread out? You need to ask your mechanic. A new thread can be fitted with the head in place (it’s not the best way to do it, but is a lot cheaper than removing the head, but difficult to do, due to the lack of space around the engine) and then you fit a new spark plug and carry on.. as stated earlier, you really need a better explanation of what exactly has failed.. 2011 models are not known for spitting out spark plugs! The spark plugs usually break when you try to change them on a 2011!!

 

[Yupster Dog]

you will need a helicoil fitting

@tawstuart
Second the heli-coil option.
This is not a job for just some shop down the street.
Really should be a trusted mechanic or dealer to do the correct procedures needed to keep debris out of your engine.

Amazon has a kit you can buy.
It is not that hard of a job if you have the right tools.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

I paid Ford $900 to change my plugs and they did not bother to change the boots...

Then you my friend got severely ripped off in a BIG way....especially considering that a set of OEM Ford plugs only cost ~$125-150... and as I stated before, 2 dealers near me quoted me a similar price that INCLUDED the coil packs/boots/plugs

2011 models are no known for spitting out spark plugs! The spark plugs usually break when you try to change them!!

^^THIS^^

This is the 1st time I have heard of any Expy, 011 included, to blow out plugs, assuming that nothing else was wrong that would have caused it to happen, which I'm not sure what that would have been (severe electrical short/malfunction ?)

But I have read a few stories of them breaking when attempting to remove/change them, which could happen with practically any vehicle though....

 

[Anarak]

I second the spark plug blow out. It was a common problem on 1st and 2nd gen Expys. Had one blow on my old 2004. It brought the threads with it. They have increased the number of usable thread from the 3rd gen forward, but does not preclude this from being a problem. The loud bang and progressive song worsening sound just like it. The repair kit will work well if done properly and cleanly. But asking a shop to do it may be about $2-3k. Removing the engine seems excessive since the plug openings are on the top. Mine blew the 8th cylinder so it was hard to work around and would have been easier if I took off the top end. You should be able to see the opening if it blew out, or it will at least be loose enough to move by hand. Hope you have good luck with it!

 

[Pilgrim]

Your description really sounds like the early 2000s when they physically blew the plug out of the head, sometimes denting the hood. But, I don't know if this even could happen on a 2011.? You really need to get more information about the actual problem before we start guessing here.

I have the tools and have done the repairs on the early 5.4s known for blowing plugs. I've also replaced the plugs several times on the newer engines. Takes time, but not a terrible job unless you have a 2008 or earlier with the 2 piece spark plug. Anything newer should have the "good" plugs which are easy to change.

Personally, I've never replaced the boots, and never had a problem with one. My 2008 has 500,000 on it now.

 

[jim8043]

I have an older exp. and it started knocking, it was loud and metal sounding. I used an electronic stethoscope and it sounded like it was coming from everywhere. I went through valve train, stark plugs (if the plug blew out it should be loose.) it took me to timing chain and exhaust manifold. it was every where and loud. Finally I pulled the engine and tore it down, there was a bent rod, the curved side was hitting the engine block. I was lucky that it did not break or blow the side of the block out. I have never seen a rod with that much of a bend in it without breaking. Bought a complete engine kit and put it back together and have about 30k miles on it since repair.