100,000 miles, needed new alternator and spark plugs

[macbom]

Alternator went , so took the BS to Ford dealer for service. They said I also needed new plugs, which I assumed would be a hassle-free part of the service. Until I get the $400 bill (on top of the $1600 for alternator & labor).
I ask anyone who’s changed their own plugs…how in holy hell can they justify $400 for changing three spark plugs?? Does the entire engine need to come out to access them??
Thanks
-Mike (noob to forum, zero engine know how)

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[Quashish]

Idk that's $133 per plug. These are easy since they're up top. Might have to remove a section of intake tubing to reach one of them but super easy.
I prep all my plugs beforehand by checking gap, Remove screw holding coil pack, remove spark plug, I personally put a dab of antiseize on the threads and install new spark plug, usually hand tight then 1/4 turn, dab of dielectric grease on Coil pack boot, re install coil pack. X 3


My wife's subaru was a pain in the butt. 3 of them were acessable but there was 1 against the drive side wheel well close to the firewall where I had to put the socket in the spark plug well, then a small extension, then another small extension, then have just enough room to get the stubby ratchet on, and barely have enough room or tourque to remove plug, disassemble ratchet get new plug and do it all again.

 

[NickAtNight]

I ask anyone who’s changed their own plugs…

I don’t know. ?

one Internet source says “

How much does a Spark Plug Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Ford Bronco Sport Spark Plug Replacement is $220 with $80 for parts and $140 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.”

 

[NickAtNight]

I don’t know. ?

Woah. But their examples are what you got !

 

[o0260o]

I did the plugs myself. Very easy. One of them wasn't torqued to spec from the factory.

 

[NickAtNight]

I did the plugs myself.

What plugs did you use? How much did they cost? What is the service life?

 

[ATLAS BLUE BADLANDS]

Wait you made 100,000 miles in a '21......... That alone is news............. Beyond that do the math divided by 100,000 pretty low service costs.........

 

[Poolmanz Sport Bronco]

Can we talk about the $1,600 for stinking alternator?!?!?
I paid $250 for my guy to remove mine and clean it when it got mudded up.
OEM is like $400?
So $750 at best.
Found a custom shop that can build me a robust alternator for about $600, still under $1000 @ $850 installed.

I stop long ago to have FORD do my repairs and oil changes. I’m at 45k.

 

[Quashish]

Wait you made 100,000 miles in a '21......... That alone is news............. Beyond that do the math divided by 100,000 pretty low service costs.........

That’s actually a substantiated true fact right there. Didn’t think about that

 

[Quashish]

Can we talk about the $1,600 for stinking alternator?!?!?
I paid $250 for my guy to remove mine and clean it when it got mudded up.
OEM is like $400?
So $750 at best.
Found a custom shop that can build me a robust alternator for about $600, still under $1000 @ $850 installed.

I stop long ago to have FORD do my repairs and oil changes. I’m at 45k.

that’s why it’s called the stealership

 

[V8 Yankee]

I replaced my plugs at 45K, I happened to have another set of OEM plugs which I believe I paid around $40 for (3 plugs). Taking my time it took less than 30 minutes to replace them. I looked into replacing my alternator as I've read here it does cost upwards of $1500, parts and labor. If and when the time comes I'll do it my self as well. Aftermarket alternators with a built in invertor cost anywhere's from 3 to 5 hundred on Ebay. OEM type a couple of hundred more. Dealer shop rate are killer, some are upwards of $200 an hour just for labor. OEM parts and dealer labor equals an empty wallet so I do what I can myself.

On another note; In my expierience the mechanics don't focus on one car but have 2 or 3 going at the same time so there is no efficiency involved with repairs by jumping back and forth. And of course there is always that one bolt or bad plug that is back ordered that adds a 2 days to a 3 hour job. At least that is what they say when you call to see if your car is done. The two items you mentioned don't require special tools or resetting any of the ECU functions, just straight mechanic work, in other words they are relitively easy to replace. The good thing is you made it to 100K, was there any other out of pocket expenses like an RDU or an out of warranty expense?

 

[Mwittke5857]

Alternator went , so took the BS to Ford dealer for service. They said I also needed new plugs, which I assumed would be a hassle-free part of the service. Until I get the $400 bill (on top of the $1600 for alternator & labor).
I ask anyone who’s changed their own plugs…how in holy hell can they justify $400 for changing three spark plugs?? Does the entire engine need to come out to access them??
Thanks
-Mike (noob to forum, zero engine know how)

Changed my plugs at 53k. I thought the way the coils plug onto the top of the plug was a little sketchy (lose fitting), but so far, no issues. Took me under 10 minutes. I went with the NGK iridium, If memory serves me correctly, they were $13 each at O'Reilly's. Can't for the life of me understand why you would have a dealer for spark plugs.

 

[wireman]

Wait you made 100,000 miles in a '21......... That alone is news............. Beyond that do the math divided by 100,000 pretty low service costs.........

Still doesn't justify a $400 spark plug change. Shouldn't take a good service tech more than 30 minutes to do this.

 

[Dadio]

Mike does your BS have the 110v power outlets … because I think that alternator version is more expensive. Aside from the plugs, the alternator sounds way pricey … but glad you got to 100 k

 

[Mwittke5857]

Still doesn't justify a $400 spark plug change. Shouldn't take a good service tech more than 30 minutes to do this.

I might have been in the automotive/industrial maintenance for over 50 years, but I'm no service tech. Took me 10 minutes

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