Plug removal

[mtsoxfan]

I'm looking to replace my spark plugs. During then first 15k, I'd wash down the motor on occasion. After reading all the issues of water seized plugs, (funny, none as of late)and the nightmares that follow, I figured I just have the dealer do it. I'm at 59K, so if anything goes south, warranty will pick up repairs. I call and leave a detailed message, no call back. I call next day, and new advisor asked me how many cylinders does it have. OK< I was a wise ass and asked how long he worked for Ford, Two years, but 1st week as an advisor. Told him they only make 1 engine for Ranger. Then, he could only give me a rough guess, as he doesn't know vin#. After I booked and hung up, I realized he has the vin, as he knew my name and phone number. The last thing I want is to attempt on my own, which I am more than capable of doing, but the seized plug possibility keeps rearing it's ugly head.
Not sure what direction to go. Quote was around $400.

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[2021Ranger]

I would pull the coils and take a look down by the plug.

 

[davidtg7123]

I think think the risk-reward is in your favor. You could turn a $400 job into a $60 job.

 

[diesel924]

Or turn a $60 job into a $2,000 job.

 

[mtsoxfan]

I think think the risk-reward is in your favor. You could turn a $400 job into a $60 job.

I've never damaged anything by changing spark plugs, and I've changed hundreds. Maybe the threads on here about seizing have gotten in my head. From what I read, me breaking a plug off while changing may lead to warranty denial. Don't have a lot of trust for local dealerships around here. And for a service writer to not know how many cylinders are in the Ranger is another red flag. For my recent battery replacement, they wanted $374 IIRC. Walmart installed for free, $212

 

[davidtg7123]

Another alternative is to find a local shop that’ll do it for a more reasonable price

 

[NotBudule2]

There is a step by step guide on here how to do it (I can't find at the moment) and the main thing is a "warm" engine, not cold or hot, and slowly "work" them out with loose and tighten , IF THEY ARE STUCK , most will just break loose and be fine...

 

[NotBudule2]

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...4-spark-plug-change-write-up-60k-miles.29150/

 

[emesel]

I've always done my own work since my first car at 16, but I paid the $400 to have the dealer do the plugs. Just call me chicken ... I have the 2019, so I think it's less apt to have the seized-plug problem, but the older I get (now 72), I'm more concerned about having some problem arise that's gonna tie up my time ... So, in the scheme of things, it was easier to "throw away" a few hundred bucks.

I did just do front brakes, it went flawless and was satisfying.

On the other hand, the tech could make a mess of things and the dealer could charge you for that!

Mark

 

[Cabose-1]

Or like my dads water pump on his 1996 f150. Every job is one broken bolt away from being a 3 day ordeal.

 

[mtsoxfan]

I've always done my own work since my first car at 16, but I paid the $400 to have the dealer do the plugs. Just call me chicken ... I have the 2019, so I think it's less apt to have the seized-plug problem, but the older I get (now 72), I'm more concerned about having some problem arise that's gonna tie up my time ... So, in the scheme of things, it was easier to "throw away" a few hundred bucks.

I did just do front brakes, it went flawless and was satisfying.

On the other hand, the tech could make a mess of things and the dealer could charge you for that!

Mark

I'm 64 now, I don't bend like I used to, recover like I used to, which is why I looked into having a dealer install. That goes against my very being, but sometimes you have to accept your limitations. I'm tall, with back pain issues stemming from my years of bent over hoods etc. Do I really want to be in pain for weeks to save $300=/-? And I'm still considering it.

 

[TJC]

I'm 70 and still turn wrenches, but I must confess that it is getting harder. I've got a couple of big changes to make on my Ranger and they are going to take significantly more time. I can do them but it takes me longer than even when I was 50...

 

[dtech]

Well I'm almost 74 and lots of arthritis, back is worn to a sh*t, neck vertebrae are fused. But I reason that if I stop doing all my own work - well that will likely be the end of doing it as once you stop doing stuff and you try again at a later time - it will likely be even more difficult on your body.
Now what really irks me as I'm at my daughters townhome - her garage door opener failed and she wanted the temp turned up on here tankless hot water heater - the mfgs clearly don't want you to work on stuff but to call a repair man, changing the temp on water heater involves taking the whole front panel off, the garage door opener is a liftmaster 98022 - the owners manual is next to worthless, this is where youtube posts can be valuable as thoughtful technicians post how to clear codes and program the opener for the type of door, but then you find out that it's actually a failure prone piece of crap.
And I've been reading articles on the "right to repair" debate for autos going on the DC , another example where mfgs want to limit your DIY and feed the repair shops.
Changing spark plugs on the 2.3 - piece of cake.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Well I'm almost 74 and lots of arthritis, back is worn to a sh*t, neck vertebrae are fused. But I reason that if I stop doing all my own work - well that will likely be the end of doing it as once you stop doing stuff and you try again at a later time - it will likely be even more difficult on your body.
Now what really irks me as I'm at my daughters townhome - her garage door opener failed and she wanted the temp turned up on here tankless hot water heater - the mfgs clearly don't want you to work on stuff but to call a repair man, changing the temp on water heater involves taking the whole front panel off, the garage door opener is a liftmaster 98022 - the owners manual is next to worthless, this is where youtube posts can be valuable as thoughtful technicians post how to clear codes and program the opener for the type of door, but then you find out that it's actually a failure prone piece of crap.
And I've been reading articles on the "right to repair" debate for autos going on the DC , another example where mfgs want to limit your DIY and feed the repair shops.
Changing spark plugs on the 2.3 - piece of cake.

Preach, brother, preach!

I’m with you on diy fixes and might even change my handle to DukeCanFixit because I will rip apart anything to fix it. Installation and troubleshooting guides are harder and harder to find these days and YouTube is my best friend. Especially the stuff from pros who realize they can make just as much money on the side showing people how to do it themselves. I really like the idea of Right to Repair but tech is getting in our way sometimes.

And you’re right - KEEP MOVING! I have RA and OA and if I stop, I’ll be like the Tin Man.

Oil can! Oil can!

 

[AzScorpion]

Preach, brother, preach!

I’m with you on diy fixes and might even change my handle to DukeCanFixit because I will rip apart anything to fix it. Installation and troubleshooting guides are harder and harder to find these days and YouTube is my best friend. Especially the stuff from pros who realize they can make just as much money on the side showing people how to do it themselves. I really like the idea of Right to Repair but tech is getting in our way sometimes.

And you’re right - KEEP MOVING! I have RA and OA and if I stop, I’ll be like the Tin Man.

Oil can! Oil can!

Strange, I pictured you more like the scarecrow.

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