Time for a tune-up?

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$m0k3LS

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Had to turn around on my way to my grandmother's house today. Some jack@$$ started braking WAAAAAAAAAY too early on the interstate so I had so Brake, Swerve, and MASH the gas to avoid rear end contact. After that, i noticed my check engine light blinking. So i pulled over and cut the car off, then back on. The light became steady. So as i merged back onto the road, the car began to jerk oddly and was very sluggish:confused: :shifty: . Think it's time for a plug and boot replacement? and if so, which would you recommend?

Feedback much appreciated:cool:

Smok3LS
 
Noooooooooooooooooo...What will happen if i just change the plugs only?

Smok3LS
 
You said the CEL is on, have the codes read instead of guessing and throwing money at it.
 
You won't get a code for a spark plug. You will for a coil. Get the code read so you know which coil to change. AutoZone should do it for free.
 
NYC LS8 said:
You won't get a code for a spark plug. You will for a coil. Get the code read so you know which coil to change. AutoZone should do it for free.
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So all i'd have to do is change that particular coil, and if so, how will it affect the performance?

Smok3LS
 
If it were me, I'd change all the plugs and the bad coil since I'd already be in there, but that's just me. But you can change the one plug and one coil like the stealerships do and be fine. It won't affect anything negatively, that's for sure. That's provided it's a coil problem. Won't know until you scan the car for codes.
 
NYC LS8 said:
If it were me, I'd change all the plugs and the bad coil since I'd already be in there, but that's just me. But you can change the one plug and one coil like the stealerships do and be fine. It won't affect anything negatively, that's for sure. That's provided it's a coil problem. Won't know until you scan the car for codes.
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How likely is it to be 1 coil?(I'm a "noob" about things like this.)And what plugs would you recommend sir:D
 
Very likely. I had just one go on mine a few months ago. The dealership changed that one coil, one plug and the passenger side valve cover (free of charge :D). I'd go with whatever came in the car. Haven't done the plugs yet (that's coming shortly), so I dunno what they came with. Don't really do much wrenching on this car, so I couldn't really say.
 
NYC LS8 said:
Very likely. I had just one go on mine a few months ago. The dealership changed that one coil, one plug and the passenger side valve cover (free of charge :D). I'd go with whatever came in the car. Haven't done the plugs yet (that's coming shortly), so I dunno what they came with. Don't really do much wrenching on this car, so I couldn't really say.
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Well i feel i must get my hands dirty b/c an LS shouldn't run like mine. It just takes away from the Luxury of the Luxury Sport:D
 
As for which plugs to use; use OEM for they are very good spark plugs and you LS was developed around.

Do a search on spark plugs, you will find problems using something other than OEM.
 
To answer a previously stated question, it has 56,XXX miles and i took it in to a local Advance and they told me that coil#3 is misfiring and i need a tune up(Figured that.) So i bought the parts and am about to attempt to tune my baby up:D

Smok3LS
 
Not hard, take your time. Don't do it as fast as you can.

$m0k3LS said:
To answer a previously stated question, it has 56,XXX miles and i took it in to a local Advance and they told me that coil#3 is misfiring and i need a tune up(Figured that.) So i bought the parts and am about to attempt to tune my baby up:D

Smok3LS
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I don't even remember, but do you guys have to take the covers off to access the coils? I don't remember anymore...
 
This blows. I found out i need to change my VCG's. I read the tech article but i might have trouble with this.

Sm0k3LS
 
coils cost???

Ok, I havn't been around in a while, but I'm back because I had to take the car in bacause it was running rough and the engine light was on. Took it to the stealership and they said that the #5 coil needing replacement due to leaking valve cover gasket. (the manafold gaskets were replaced in June total cost $822.00); anyway, they replaced both gaskets and the coil and all the boots. Cost: 199.41 in parts and $922.57 in labor???!!! How long show it take to replace the coils and gaskets? I saw where someone had posted a how-to guide. But it didn't say how long it took. Did I get ripped off?

I could list the parts I have listed on the bill.

Thanks!!!
 
It took me and I am no Lincoln mechanic 5 hours to change both sides valve cover gaskets. I was also talking to my wife and drinking some beer the whole time. Its not that hard except the bolt by the brake boost. Even ifthe job charged 6 hours. Replacing the gaskets would mean that the spark plugs and coils would already have to be removed so there should be no charge for removing and replacing them if the gaskets are getting done double check you bill that they did not charge for the labour for them too. At 6 hours that would mean the shop charged 120 and hour. Maybe they did and oil change after to, to account for.

My ex g/f took her sunfire in once to get a belt tensioner replace under warranty and they were going to get the serpintine belt changed also.
They tried to charge her for the labour on R/R the belt. I said NO they had to take it off to replace the tensioner. So they refunded her the money.

Hope thats what they did to you. Good luck
 
pbslmo said:
Thanks, I'm not sure what to say, but i'll give a try.
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Better than $900 in labor?!?! You got screwed royally! Should have been less than half of that!

I'd look into your bill and why they charged you so much. Book time on the job can't be more than 2-3 hours!
 
$900 labor isnt that far off for a complete valve cover replacement, coil replacement.

But to the op and the other guy with the issue? If you are very handy working on a car, and dont mind bending over into the engine compartment for a few hours and dealing in very confined areas (especially that tight area by the brake booster), then you can do the entire job yourself.

If you prefer NOT to deal with those issues, then you can easily do the passenger side valve cover gasket, plugs, and coils yourself, then take it to a Ford dealership (usually less labor per hour than Lincoln dealers) and have them do everything on the drivers side and save yourself a few hhundred in labor.

I went with Bosch Platinums as replacements. The Ford tech was hesitant to use them and claimed "Ford motors dont like Bosch plugs".

whatever. That was about 20k miles ago. Currently have 90k miles and the car is running stronger than new.
 
I just called another dealership and they said that the labor is built into some program where they punch in the job and it spits out the cost of labor.
The tune-up was just replacing the plugs. (get that). Labor for that another $69.95.
Total cost on this visit. $1467.77. Replaced ign boot (5) coil (1) spark plugs (6) gasket, connector, gasket -spa, gasket- val, gasket-val, hose - conne, sensor asy, taillight bulb, shop supplies.

Now get this, after I drove the car home, it leaked antifreeze completely out to where, when I drove it to the store and the engine and radiorator light came on, then the engine wouldn't start. (drove it 4 miles total) Took it back to the stealership, they put me in a free Towncar rental and said they had to order a special hose (couldn't locate it in Mo or Il) had to order it special from Ford. should have it ready today. no call as of yet. I hope they don't charge me any more. In the 3 year I had this car, (ext warrenty ran out last month) it has cost me $3700.00 in repairs. I can't afford anymore problems, besides the higher cost of gas. UGH!!!!
 
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