Yesterday my engine developed a misfire on cylinder 5, the rotar button dis cap , plug wires and plugs were ready for changing anyway, so changed everything apart from the spark plugs, still had that dang misfire, went to change out the spark plugs, I managed to get 2 of the 6 out, I could not budge the other 4, I was so scared of breaking them had to take the truck to a garage, $142 to change out the plugs, don't know if that was a decent price or if I got ripped a new one.
Seemed expensive to me, but this is the first time in I don't know how many years I have had to use the services of a garage mechanic.

 

Dam, I hope you got a reach around.

 

Not sure what motor you have, but for the 3.9 the plugs are pretty accessible.

Now I will admit that I've had a hell of a time extracting these plugs. My problem wasn't necessarily the plugs rusting into the block... my problem was being able to get a socket around the plugs due to all the dirt and crap that somehow found a way to build up in there even with the protective boot on the wires...

Have had to dig out this crap with a screwdriver recently.

$142 seems like a lot... but I've heard people tell me they had a shop charge $500 for the plugs on a 5.4L Ford F150.

Yikes.

 

Yes that is the going price for changing out a set of plugs because the labor rate at most shops is around $100/hr. All shops charge by the book rate, so all shops give the mechanic 1 to 1.5 hours to change the plugs even on the easy 4 cly honda civics. Be glad we don't own a Ford SportTrac, I've been told the garage has to lift the CAB to get to the last 2 plugs because the motor is set back too far to reach them. P.S. I still have not changed my plugs since last summer because I can not break them loose. I asked a shop if they had any special procedure to get them out and they said if one breaks the price could be @$500 to fix. Maybe soon will remove those stupid metal shields and spray the block with PB blaster and let sit for a day. This is the first vehicle in 30 years I have not been able to remove the plugs without worring about breaking off.

 

There is a solution change the plugs more often I check and or change my plugs every 3 years no mater what.

I know some plugs are not easy to get at and that's why most don't do that.

Plugs are cheap you don't need expensive ones I love my Bosch iridium plugs and they are not that expensive.

 

also, ANTI-SEIZE!!!!!!!

I took have contemplated knocking the metal boots off….if nothing else, they are a good spot for a bad plug wire to ground to.

 

+1 .... I always use it when installing plugs.

There has been much debate about how modern plugs are zinc coated and don't need it... or how it changes the torque dynamics. I personally don't install spark plugs with a torque wrench so I guess that makes me a rebel. LOL

 

Never used it never had a problem

I do think most tighten there plugs too hard its not needed I never use a torque wrench just snug and a little bit more is all you need.

My Dad was a mechanic extraordinar industrial welder, fabricator, auto mechanic and he said your best tool is your hands trust them and how they feel things and use a lot of common sense.

Humans can sense bumps that are just 13 nanometres thick - about the size of an antibody molecule or a millionth of a millimetre.

 

yep, all we do is hand tight + half of a flat

 

+1 on anti seize!!! I had 2 plugs on my V8 break in the block. Thank god someone invented easy out bits, with a little time and effort they came out. I would never torque the plugs you would be asking for them to get stuck.