What to do??

[RTX 17]

Warning this is a long post for a Noob! Well after lurking around this site and ingesting and digesting lots of good and sometimes not so good information that will hopefully preserve our Expy for many years, I found it time to post a question. 2 months ago after searching for a replacement for our 08 Edge we bought an 05 Eddie Bauer w/ 78,400 on the clock. It has all the options inc. fac Nav. and rear DVD. I believe the color is Estate Green?? I got them to put on 4 new tires before we took the truck. We used to own a 99 Expedition EB from 02-08. Since Mass law has a 60 day/2500 used car warranty, I've had to bring it back a few times for some minor work, inc. lower ball joints, which an inspection station here in my town picked up on, a thermostat when I complained of low heat and just last week when the air bag light came on which ended up being a impact sensor near the radiator. They also replaced a couple of pulleys that I mentioned were a little noisy. I'm close to the end of the warranty so all else will be out of pocket.

So my question is I've done alot of research and I want the spark plugs changed soon. The truck has 80,400 now and Ford states to change them @ 100K but I've heard of plug extraction issues with vehicles as low as 30K! I will be bringing the truck to a local Ford dealer that I have alot of experience with. I was told to put in a couple cans of SeaFoam treatment B-4 the truck goes in to help loosen up any carbon buildup, I put one can in 3 weeks ago and will put another in over the weekend. They rough quoted me anywhere from $250+ for the job. Most likely $400 I'm told. I am putting aside some tax return $ for this but don't want to be charged something unrealistic. I would like the fuel filter changed while it's there as well as the oil changed since it'll be close to 3K by then. Staying with Ford oil and filter.

Will I be asking for issues since the Expy is running fine now and showing no signs of ill performance? " Ain't broke don't fix it " We plan on driving this Expy for at least 5-6 years. A few mechanics including the one who has worked on this truck at the dealer where we bought it have told me now is the time to change them especially with Motorcraft plugs and to use a Ford dealership since they change these all the time. I'm hoping that getting them changed will give us some peace of mind and allow us to enjoy the Expy and continue to do its routine maintainence. I've probably answered my own question. Thanks Doug

 

[RTX 17]

No replies?? Yeah I'm probably gunna have em changed but no input? I thought I'd get something for a response? Doug

 

[JUST4FUN]

hey you posted this at 9:00 am most people have jobs like me
change the plugs your self not hard get a friend to help or take to a indipendent shop

 

[RTX 17]

hey you posted this at 9:00 am most people have jobs like me
change the plugs your self not hard get a friend to help or take to a indipendent shop

Apparently 30 people like myself "don't" have a job huh? Nobody visits this site when we are at work? I don't have the means to a garage nor the correct tools which to do the plug change. I've put aside some hard earned $ from my business which is seasonal by the way to get a reputable shop where I have brought many vehicles to, to do the job. Thanks for your reply Admin. Doug

 

[nvycrmn]

i havent quoted out plugs recently but i will be soon. i can let you know what they come up with for my truck. i might try to check around this weekend...

 

[tmajikman]

In general, a non dealership shop, when you find a trusted mechanic is much cheaper, plugs, do them and go with motorcraft, try to find a locally trusted shop too save some coin, oil and filter, I don't use motorcraft oil or filter, but I work at a lube place, oil filters that are motorcraft can be purchased at several auto stores, oil, I have used castrol for years without issue, 5w30 or 5w20 depending on what your oil cap says, and 6.5 qts for the 5.4 or 6.0 qts for the 4.6, save some money and do it yourself or take it to a reputable shop and get the oil changed and the fuel filter replaced, they call the dealerships, stealerships for a reason..

On a side note, you may not get many answers if your impatient or rude bud, people are not always able to type a response, but can find time to read it.

 

[tmajikman]

i havent quoted out plugs recently but i will be soon. i can let you know what they come up with for my truck. i might try to check around this weekend...

For the two valves, 2.60 a piece, the three valve motors are 15-20 a piece for motorcraft I think. They are a completely different design as far as plugs are concerned, buy your own plugs and take the to who ever changes them for you, then you can avoid the mechanics mark up.

 

[nvycrmn]

i agree, local, small shops usually will give you a pretty good deal cuz they rely on word of mouth business. changing your oil yourself will save you a few bucks and it only takes 20min. but if you find a place that will do an oil change for 12 bucks, go for it (they have a place here for 11.88). find out what plugs yours takes, buy them and take them in, just like majik said. you can usually save a couple bucks there.

 

[Expeditionary]

deff change your own oil, ive been changig mine since i was 16, and if u can get out the plugs it dosent take a rocket scientist to change em. Moreover DO NOT go to a dealership no offense but your "trusted" dealership guy is surely charging you $120/hr for labor, where as an expensive shop charges $80/hr, so u save right there. Not to mention going on jegs, lmc, napa, advance, etc. will save u a bundle on plugs, remember we gotta change 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, 8! plugs and @ $2.80 or $12.80 you should prob find em yourself.

 

[nvycrmn]

if you have never changed plugs before, definitely have some help available. they can get tricky, especially that last one! that will take you a bit. ahha

 

[99 Expy]

I'm not sure how your weather is now, but I changed mine this summer in my front yard, standing on a 5 gallon bucket. Its not super hard to do, but takes patience. You just need a 3/8 ratchet, some extensions and a spark plug socket. Thats all it took for my 4.6 and when I pulled off the wires, I blew air in the spark plug well before taking out the plug to get out debris that fell in. But if you want to have someone else do it, your best bet would be to find a small local shop like everyone else said, it will be much cheaper.

 

[RTX 17]

i agree, local, small shops usually will give you a pretty good deal cuz they rely on word of mouth business. changing your oil yourself will save you a few bucks and it only takes 20min. but if you find a place that will do an oil change for 12 bucks, go for it (they have a place here for 11.88). find out what plugs yours takes, buy them and take them in, just like majik said. you can usually save a couple bucks there.

Thanks for the replies guys. So I should buy the Motorcraft plugs first B-4 I bring it to the dealership? Some have mentioned the 3V plugs are different than the 2V? As long as I state the year I should be ok. I don't think the dealer is going to mind as long as it saves me some $. Hey I could of bought them myself to try to put them in and decided that it was not possible so instead of returning them.... Thanks Doug

 

[BigDaddy]

Thanks for the replies guys. So I should buy the Motorcraft plugs first B-4 I bring it to the dealership? Some have mentioned the 3V plugs are different than the 2V? As long as I state the year I should be ok. I don't think the dealer is going to mind as long as it saves me some $. Hey I could of bought them myself to try to put them in and decided that it was not possible so instead of returning them.... Thanks Doug

Most dealerships will not install parts that you did not buy from them, so you may want to check first. That is another place where most small shops work out better.

I can't speak for your '05, but I changed the fuel filter on my '01 in about 10 minutes while lying under it in my driveway. Should have taken less than 5 minutes, but the old one didn't want to come off easily, lol.

If you are not comfortable with doing the stuff yourself, by all means take it and get it done. Just keep in mind that you will pay, probably through the nose, for it. You can get a set of COPs and 2v plugs for about $150. At the dealer, you will pay damned near $100 for a COP.

 

[Tigster]

I have used lots of shops to install parts I bought myself, including dealerships. Just make sure they give you a price up front, I had a few try to charge me per hour. Even call your dealership parts dept and check the plug prices. Believe it or not I have seen different prices at the parts dept and what the service people charge you.

 

[smo0othride]

I have used lots of shops to install parts I bought myself, including dealerships. Just make sure they give you a price up front, I had a few try to charge me per hour. Even call your dealership parts dept and check the plug prices. Believe it or not I have seen different prices at the parts dept and what the service people charge you.

It must depend on where you live, no Ford dealership in SoCal will install aftermarket parts.

 

[RTX 17]

I have used lots of shops to install parts I bought myself, including dealerships. Just make sure they give you a price up front, I had a few try to charge me per hour. Even call your dealership parts dept and check the plug prices. Believe it or not I have seen different prices at the parts dept and what the service people charge you.

Very true. Plug price @ parts counter cash and carry $20, $10 part of menu pricing there. Still having the Ford dealer do my work, 35" of snow here, just a barn w/ no heat, feel comfortable with Gervais Ford changing plugs, fuel filter, pcv and oil change. If it was summer here different story perhaps. Thanks Doug