spark plugs 5.4

Here in Ohio, repair shops are REQUIRED to put in writing, up front
how much the work will cost BEFORE they start. If it costs more, they
have to eat the cost because you have already signed for a different
amount.

As others have mentioned, I'm guessing this was not a Ford Dealership.
Personally, if I had a less than 5 year old vehicle that needed spark
plugs already (my 2000 F150 still has it's original plugs and wires at
130K miles!) I would be sure to take it back to Ford to repair because
I would be concerned that a car that new needed plugs already.

I don't know that Ford has any obligation to reimburse you for this,
but I would consider contacting the BBB or your state attorney
general's office about this other repair facility. It sounds like
they are not only shady, but apparently inept as well!

You did not say whether you were are a Ford dealer for repairs or an
independent shop.

My mechanic who owns his own shop for years, has about every special
tool out there to repair vehicles of all makes and models. He said he
needs to do this to keep up with the dealer repair shops.

I do not see Ford reimbursing you anything towards your bill...unless
of course you had something in writing before hand and it was at a
Ford authorized repair dealer/shop. Then I would say that they should
have had any special tools on hand.

Is this a mechanic you frequently do business with? Is it a Ford
dealership? If not, it sounds like you may have been ripped off to
some degree... 12 hours?

Your request may not be granted if it was done outside of warranty or
at a non-Ford dealership or authorized shop.
Hopefully you get results, but for a 2005 you likely are off warranty
coverage unless you extended.

The plugs frequently break. The plug is a two piece design, and the
bottom breaks off. There is a special Ford tool, most likely to get
the pieces out. A new head is around $3700. The details are
contained on this page if you read far enough:

http://tinyurl.com/l4yudy

It sounds like a design issue, because if it takes 2 hours to get in
there to change them, the head has cooled quite a bit.

And yes, if they break it can take 9-12 hours for the whole job. To
change spark plugs. Gotta love it!

From what I found, if you change your plugs in the 60-70,000 mile
range, it lessens the problem. Just when technology makes a plug that
lasts 100,000 miles, you can't take advantage of it.

Was this work done at a Ford dealer? I don't understand the mechanic
saying he needed a special tool. My husband changed the plugs on our
F150 with only the tools he had at hand. Even if they break, which
we've had happen, a good mechanic will have the necessary tool to
remove them.

Fredrick K.,
You mnention "mechanic" and "repair shop" but I don't see if this was
a FORD Shop or an independent?
BillR.

other tool? Have you had him work on your truck before? Is he
familiar with these vehicles?