Ford F-150 Tune-Up Cost [Plus FAQ]
If you are wanting to keep your Truck in the best shape possible, then you need to make sure to give it a tune-up at regular intervals. The price of a tuneup can range from really cheap to very expensive, depending on who is doing the work.
So, if you have the right tools and experience, along with knowledge performing a bit of scheduled maintenance is able to save you a lot of money.
The average price for a Ford F-150 tune-up at a Ford dealership can be as much as $400 and a third-party shop will generally charge somewhere between $250 and $300.
If you get a tune-up kit and do it yourself, however, you will save yourself a lot of money and learn a new skill in the process.
This is because the cost of labor to perform a tune-up represents a large portion of the total cost, while the actual cost of the parts is only somewhere in the realm of 25 to 40 percent of the cost of the tune-up.
What Is Included In A Tune-Up?
That really all depends on what level of tune-up you are wanting to get. The engine has hundreds of parts, about 40 of which are moving parts that require regular maintenance.
There are, however, a handful of fundamental engine components that need more frequent maintenance. These things are considered to be part of a tune-up:
Spark plugs
Spark plugs are the components that supply the spark required to ignite the air and fuel mixture to create the explosions to produce power to move you forward.
They are small, simple, yet extremely important devices that create an arc of electricity across two points that are close together but not touching. The spark flying between the two points is timed perfectly by the ignition computer.
Wires
Spark plug wires, also known simply as ‘plug wires,’ are a vital component of your F-150’s ignition system. Trucks that have a distributor or remote coil pack plug wires that transfer energy for the spark from the coil to the spark plug.
On newer vehicles, however, the energy is generated direction above the plug in what is called a coil pack.
Fuel filter
The fuel filter is a crucial component of your truck’s fuel system. This filter is responsible for protecting your engine from harmful debris.
Your fuel filter catches any rust particles and dirt that may end up in your fuel. A fuel filter prevents long-term damage to the engine.
Running unfiltered fuel will definitely work but that fuel more than likely contains large amounts of contamination like paint chips, dirt, and rust that will, over time, damage your engine.
Fuel injector
Fuel injectors are specially made nozzles that inject fuel into the intake manifold on older vehicles and directly into the cylinders on newer trucks. The amount of fuel and the angle at which it is delivered is extremely precise.
This air-fuel mixture is then compressed in the combustion chamber and then ignited by the spark plug, releasing vast amounts of stored chemical energy.
PCV valve
PCV stands for ‘Positive Crankcase Ventilation’. A PCV valve is a one-way valve that is attached to the crankcase. It lets built-up pressure out of the crankcase without letting any atmospheric air back in.
Your truck’s crankcase is where your motor oil is stored.
Air filter
The air filter is your truck’s first line of defense in preventing damaging particles from entering the engine. A dirty, clogged air filter will reduce engine efficiency.
Driving without one altogether is like driving without a fuel filter. It will work at first, but it will cause major problems over time.
How Much Is A Tune-Up At Ford?
At a licensed Ford dealership, a complete tune-up will run you at least $400. This will typically include plugs, filters, coolant flush, IAC clean, throttle body clean, and even a transmission fluid change.
It costs a little more to have your truck tuned up at a Ford dealership, but it often includes more components than a third-party tune-up.
How Often Should I Get A Tune-Up?
If you have a late-model car, pretty frequently. In fact, if you have an older vehicle that uses a non-computerized ignition system, then it should be tuned every 10,000 to 12,000 miles or once a year.
Newer, more modern cars, however, have electronic, computerized ignition systems that can commonly go for 25,000 miles or even as long as 100,000 miles before needing a tune-up.
Is A Tune-Up Worth It?
Yes, absolutely! A tune-up is one of the most important parts of regular vehicle maintenance. If you take a look in the service manual of your automobile, you will find that a tune-up is classified as a major service.
The importance of regular tune-ups cannot be overstated.
Is a Full Tune-Up Always Necessary?
Absolutely not. The most important part of a tune-up is replacing the plugs and wires in a distributor cap-driven system and replacing the plugs and coils in a coil-driven system.
What Does A Tune-Up Improve?
The simplest form of a tune-up, which generally only includes a new set of plugs, will make your engine much easier to start and can drastically improve your vehicle’s fuel economy.
It will also lower emissions and remove any gradual power losses that you may have noticed building up slowly over time.
What Is A Tune-Up Kit?
A tune-up kit is an all-in-one package that lets you easily replace many engine components in one job. These kits generally include parts like spark plugs, plug wires, a distributor cap (for older engines), air filters, and fuel and oil filters.
They are useful because they provide everything you need to do a tune-up on your own. A kit like this ENA Brand Set of 8 Ignition Coils will save you a lot of money
This is a tune-up kit that is compatible with the 1996 – 1999 model years 4.6L F-150. It’s a functional replacement for part number FD487.
Better Than OEM Quality
These high-quality ignition coil kits are engineered to exceed OEM quality standards. This means that every part and process used to make these components either matches or improves on the original Ford design specification.
This ensures a fast and easy installation while providing outstanding performance and reliability.
A low-cost tune-up kit like this will reduce and completely eliminate many common ignition coil issues including but not limited to no/hard start, long crank time, misfires, lack of power, inconsistent transmission shifts, spark plug fouling, premature catalytic converter failure, poor fuel economy, and a check engine light.
This ENA kit is designed to operate reliably under all operating conditions, and it’s made to work well throughout the entire engine RPM range.
1 Year Limited Warranty – Please use enter your vehicle in your Amazon Garage above to see if this part is compatible with your vehicle
How Often Should You Change Spark Plugs In A Ford F-150?
Out of all of the items included in a tune-up, spark plugs are the most important. These spark plugs work with a wide range of Ford vehicles and model years that use the 4.6L V8 engine.
It’s best to have your spark plugs replaced when your engine reaches 100,000 miles. This is also a good time to replace your engine coolant as well.
Another thing to do when you are looking at your engine at this point in its lifetime is to make sure to inspect the accessory and serpentine belts.
If there is any visible banding or other wear on either one of them they should be replaced.
How Long Do Ford Ignition Coils Last?
United States Federal law mandates that ignition coils and the associated ignition module that is equipped on new vehicles have to be warranted for at least two years or 24,000 miles.
Remember, the insulation in ignition coils degrades over time, so they all have a particular rating but most coils will last around 100,000 miles.
How Often Should Spark Plug Be Changed?
The general rule of thumb is that you should change your spark plugs every 30,000 miles or so. Make sure, however, to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to make sure this applies to your vehicle.
The number in the manual is generally a good rule to go by, but that all depends on how you drive the vehicle and many other factors.
What Brand Of Spark Plugs Does Ford Use?
Modern Ford vehicles are equipped with factory-installed, high-quality Bosch spark plugs. The older engines, however, came with low-quality Motorcraft plugs.
How Much Does A Coil Pack For A Ford F-150 Cost?
The cost of replacing the ignition coils in a Ford F-150 at a dealership is generally somewhere between $900 and $1,300. Labor represents a large share of the cost, which is why it’s always better to get a kit and do it yourself.
Parts make up the rest of the average repair price.
Remember, these estimates do not include taxes and disposal fees.
How Do You Change A Coil Pack On A Ford F-150?
Perform the following steps to change the ignition coils on your Ford F-150 or Super Duty
Step 1: Locate and remove the fuel rails
Step 2: Remove associated electrical connectors and bolts
Step 3: Twist the coil counter-clockwise to remove it from its plug
Step 4: Replace the failed coil pack
Step 5: Twist the coil clockwise to tighten to its plug
Step 6: Reinstall fuel rails
What Is A Performance Tune-Up?
Generally speaking, a basic tune-up involves replacing the vehicle’s spark plugs and plug wires.
This will provide a lot of benefits but a more performance-oriented tune-up would include setting the engine timing belt or timing chain, and checking and changing filters, along with checking other basic engine supporting systems.
What Are The Signs That Your Car Needs A Tune-Up?
Here are 5 of the most common signs that your vehicle needs a tune-up:
Sign 1: The car is harder to start than it used to be.
Sign 2: Engine Stalling
Sign 3: Engine Knocking and/or rough idle
Sign 4: Poor fuel economy
What Makes Spark Plugs Go Bad?
Carbon buildup is something that happens when your engine is trying to burn too much fuel. This can happen as a result of a cracked distributor case, dirty fuel injectors, or even a clogged air filter.
In fact, something as simple as a bad or even just a dirty sensor can confuse your engine computer into sending too much fuel to the cylinders can cause an engine to run rich.
What Can I Do To Extend The Life of My F-150?
While there are many do’s and don’ts when it comes to maintaining a vehicle, here are a few things that you can do to ensure your vehicle doesn’t break down any sooner than it is supposed to:
Step 1: Change the oil every 3,000 miles
Engine oil is what prevents the metal parts in your engine from generating enough friction heat to melt the entire system. Engine oil is important.
Step 2: Replace the spark plugs
Spark plugs are responsible for generating the energy that starts the combustion chain reaction in your engine. Keep them fresh.
Step 3: Replace the windshield wipers regularly
Your windshield wipers and a small, low-cost, easy-to-replace, yet crucial component of your vehicle. Without them, driving in the rain and other In climate situations is a lot more dangerous and can lead to accidents.
Step 4: Rotate your tires regularly
Uneven tire wear can cause all kinds of alignment and stability problems. Rotating your tires is completely free and can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
Step 5: Replace the air filter at regular intervals
Without a clean filter, your engine is going to have trouble breathing. If your engine cannot get the right amount of air, it won’t be able to burn the right amount of fuel. This causes all kinds of nasty problems in the long term.
Step 6: Inspect and change belts when needed
Look at each and every one of your belts. If there is any visible wear or banding, replace it. Spending the money to replace it, whether you do it yourself or you pay a shop, will always be cheaper than dealing with the same problem on the side of the road later. Tow trucks are expensive, so replace that old belt now.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Spark Plugs In A Ford F-150?
The average cost to replace a Ford F-150 spark plug is about $250. Labor makes up the majority of that at around $175 or so, while parts are in the $70 to $100 range.
Why Does My F-150 Shake At Idle?
Most of the time this is from a misfire and it’s a clear sign that you need a tune-up. An engine misfire happens when, for whatever reason, the fuel-air mixture is not ignited in a given cylinder.
This will lead to engine vibration and shaking, especially during idle. Faulty or dirty plugs could also be the culprit. If you have bad plugs or wires, it can cause misfires.
Which 2021 F-150 Engine Is Best?
The best 2021 F-150 engine is the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. This new engine is capable of 400 horsepower and is the strongest and most capable engine in the 2021 lineup.
How Much Does A Tune-Up Cost For A Ford F-150? – Conclusion
Keeping your truck in tip-top shape is the best way to get the most out of your investment.
Considering the fact that Ford asks about $400 for a tune-up, and third-party shops do it for about $300 dollars, getting a $150 – $200 tune-up kit and doing it yourself can save you a lot of cash.
We hope that reading this article gave you the information you need to do your own tune-up and save you a lot of money in the process.
