Changing the spark plugs

JPKLCAPP

MEMBER
1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
4.6L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
112,000 MILES

I am getting price quotes to remove and replace the spark plugs and spark plug wires on my car of $429 to $518. This seems unreasonable. Is it more complicated than it looks? It looks like a cosmetic cover and the air intake hose need to be removed to get to the driver's side plugs but the passenger side plugs look mostly accessible. Is this early generation of modular motor the ones that have the problem with the plugs snapping off in the head? I do not know if I want to attempt it if the head might have to come off because of a broken plug. Any insight? I have a problematic low speed miss/backfire when the engine is cold and it has not been tuned recently.

Sunday, March 12th, 2017 AT 5:02 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,165 POSTS

I show 0.8 hours to replace the wires, and 1.1 hours for the spark plugs. Both of those suggest this is not an easy car to work on.

There a a number of different spark plug designs listed for this engine, and some are real expensive. That could add to the estimate you were given. I would ask how they determined the estimate. If something seems wrong, get a second estimate from a different shop.

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Monday, March 13th, 2017 AT 6:18 PM