I decided to ask my dealer about changing the plugs on the 5.4L, out of curiosity. We all know about the two piece plug design that commonly falls apart when you remove them.

They quoted me $396 if none of them break.
Beyond that, labor is $70/hr if they have to extract them. He said they have one guy who is really good and does all of their 5.4L changes, but I'm not about to go pay $400 or better for it. I'm at 63k miles, technically should have plenty of miles left on the plugs but I don't want to wait too long. bah

 

Dang, that's a chunk of change for a plug change.

 

I'd keep on looking around. The guy that is fixing my truck right now quoted my cousin $200 to change his plugs. Ford tech that does work on the side

If I remember right NCSU_FX4 or whatever it is had a dealership in Raleigh change his for 350-400 with no extra charge if they broke.

 

Yeah its ridiculous

 

Not to get off track, but what was the issue? Were they stripped?

 

Not sure yet, haven't talked to him. Just got towed over there on Saturday night. I should be picking it up from the dealership on Wednesday hopefully, hes going to drive it over there and get it inspected it for me. I'm hoping it was the plug messing up and no damage to the head. My wallet can't afford anything else right now with estimated taxes due on saturday.

 

Did you try to change yours and have problems?

 

Nevermind I scrolled down, I remember you posting about it.

Has your truck been sitting around ever since?

 

Yes lol, over a month.

 

That sucks! At least you don't have to go far for work. lol

 

True that, if I did I would have had to take it to the dealer to get fixed. Lucked out there

 

Brian if you were closer i would change them for you for free... Just bring the plugs. Maybe we can get someone to send us the removal tool just in case...

 

I'll have to buy the plugs eventually and keep them on hand. I wouldn't be worried about buying the tool, if I sold it after I would only lose a few bucks. There is just no way I can stand to be leaning over the hood and dicking with it that much in the first place.

 

well the offer is always there if you need a hand. it only took me an hour or two

 

Thanks Zach. Might take you up on it one day.

 

Ya took me less then two hours to do mine, I have no issues with doing another truck, more then welcome to swing up to the Northland and ill do then for ya. haha

 

We do these at my shop pretty often. The trick is to have the engine warm(not operating temp, just below) and some throttle body cleaner. The bottom of the plugs are breaking off because of carbon build up. Barely back a plug out to the point where it starts to bind, spray some tb cleaner in and let it sit. The tb cleaner removes the carbon and allow the plug to come out in one piece. Repeat several times until you get the plug out. We do them in pairs and alternate back and forth. We've yet to break a plug, but have both removal kits on stand by just in case.

 

If anyone wants the tool I still have the one I got from Bucky. Just let me know

 

Dang wish I had known that, I would have gotten you to do mine a month ago. Oh wells

 

Probably changed plugs on 100 5.4's and luckily never broke or stripped a plug. Our shop price was usually 225.00 + tax for the job.

 

Following the TSB or just pulling them out?

 

Not sure what was stated in the TSB - I would just run a can of Seafoam, Ford carbon cleaner or Amsoil intake foam through the intake before replacing the plugs to clean upper intake and cylinders. And sometimes, for an extra charge, I would run injector flush solvent through fuel rails to clean injectors...and clean cylinders even more. Seemed to solve the problem with carbon build-up.

 

Huh. I still never have used seafoam or anything through the intake. It still scares me. lol

 

Seems logical since carbon build-up is what causes the issue. I don't think I'd want to run all that stuff through my vehicle though.

 

I can remember when my dad and his buddies would use a 50/50 mixture of ATF and kerosene. Good times.