Puckman
S.Cal/Mass.
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Joined: 05/18/2003
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Ford recommends that plugs do not need to be replaced until 100,000 miles. I would check with Ford for the correct torque, and return the RV to the service station that did your work and tell them of your conversation with Ford and request that they correct the torque on the plugs. Good luck.
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pauldub
North of Seattle
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Joined: 11/01/2005
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FYI, 2003 Ford FSM specifies spark plug torque at 7-15 foot-pounds.
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Home Skillet
Pearland Texas
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Joined: 10/21/2004
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pauldub wrote:FYI, 2003 Ford FSM specifies spark plug torque at 7-15 foot-pounds.
Yep, just checked.
Same for the 1998 models.
Changing plugs pay 2.9 hrs at $60 an hour.
Ford plugs cost $8.55 each.
So yes, you did pay too much.
2005 Gulf Stream Conquest 31ft
BigFoot Levelers,SmarTire,Bilstein Shocks,Trans temp guage,Lowrace iWAY
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behengold
Baltimore,md
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Joined: 07/24/2002
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If their torqued correctly,I'll live with the pain of overpaying. As said earlier
who gets out of a shop these days for less then $500? At least in my area.
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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Joined: 06/24/2006
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The $500. thing is not just in your area, and its not just Ford. I have a Buick Park Avenue Ultra (supercharged) and the drivers information display said to have the "stability control serviced".
It was out of warranty, and no local shop would work on it, to complicated they said. So I had to take it the 100 mi one way to the closest GM dealer. They parked it in a bay that I happened to be able to see from outside there fence, as I walked around kicking tires, and waiting on it. I watched one guy work on it for a total of 1.75 hrs, and he found a loose plug on a computer located in the trunk, of all places.
The bill was just a little over $500. all for labor hrs, and no parts. They did have the hood up for 3 hrs, but no one was working under it, so I guess that still counts as labor hrs charges.
The sign on the office wall said "Labor Charge $110. per hrs".
But in my case it worked out to be closer to $285. per hr.
That's why I do all the work I can myself. And dont trust any of them.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
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Sea Dog
Ontario Can.
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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In my opinion, anyone who will cheerfully pay five hundred bucks to have the plugs changed is making too much money!
Life is short,Death is long,
Take a vacation.
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behengold
Baltimore,md
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Joined: 07/24/2002
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I had no point of reference when I had the job done.Anytime I have a service done I feel like I'm either paying less and getting an inferior job,or I'm being victimized by paying too much.My original question had more to do with the job being done correctly and saving me possible higher costs down the road.If a plug blows 100 mi from the nearest shop.What would that cost get fixed?The tow job alone would exceed what I paid.Like everyone else I work hard for my money and want both me and the guy I'm paying to both feel we got a fair deal.
Bottom line I paid too much and probably could have waited another 20,000 mi.
Thanks for everyones input.
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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behengold, You should go on (Fordenthusiasts.com) and do a search for spark plug replacement. And see how they recomend they be replaced.
I understand when you take a car in to a dealer, and get there estimate you should have some ides what its going to cost, but you dont, it always costs more, and this has happened to most of us. And if when the job is done, someone said, $500. Im not paying that, they will be walking home.
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Tireman9
Akron, OH
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Joined: 08/16/2002
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Wow $500 for plug change. Maybe you should be looking for a different service shop.
I suggest a quick phone around to a tire dealership that is a company store for one of the majors like Goodyear or Bridgestone Firestone.
The advantage of a company store is the dealer network so you have a large organization that can stand behind the work and you should even be able to go to a different company store if there is a problem with the work. You can't do this with an independant.
If, as you say, your Ford dealer is just running up the charge to get to $500 maybe you should be asking for "New" air in the tires as the "old" air surely has too many miles on it :-)
If you don't keep your tires properly inflated for the REAL load why would you expect them Not to fail?
- Damage done to your tires is irreversable. Puting air in tire that you ran underinflated will NOT fix the damage you did.
Retired Tire Engineer
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ron.dittmer
Near Chicago
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Joined: 02/26/2007
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dbbls wrote:Ford recommends changing plugs on the V10 engine at 100,000 miles. 61,000 could have been a little early. Agreed......emphasizing way too early.
Ever common stories about costs like $500 to replace 10 spark plugs is a constant reminder to me, why I do my own work.
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
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