TmoodEdge Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Hello fellow Ford Edge owners! I've been a 2011 Ford Edge owner since 2013 and three years running, one of the best car I've ever driven. I want to keep my Edge around for a long time. My Edge recently had hard padel issue which resulted in need to replace the entire brake booster system. Thankfully, my extended warranty covers this. However, the Ford auto services mentioned other services needed: Door "ajar" - $518 Air filter (behind glove compartment) - $125 Engine air filter/clean air flow/sensor - $190 Spark plugs - $480 Battery - $195 These quote include parts and labor. The pricing does not sit well with me and I'm hoping to compare notes with other fellow Edger to determine if these quotes are reasonable or I should try my luck at a different, local auto services instead. Finally, can a local auto services repair the door "ajar" issue or can only be done by Ford-certified technician?? Any inputs would be most helpful!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Welcome! The prices quoted are pretty run of the mill for a Ford dealership. This is where DIY'ing comes in handy, because then you are only out the cost of parts (check LevittownFordSuperCenter.com), and your time. Tools can be "rented" at major auto parts stores like Advance Auto, AutoZone, etc. if you need anything special, which you really don't for these things. The cabin filter is especially laughable since it is SO easy to replace and costs so little! My mechanic would charge me $15 bucks in labor (IF he charged me) to replace it. A local service center can perform all these services for you at a substantially lower cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWRBB Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Cabin air filter is a straight up rip off. You can get the filter for $12 on Amazon and do it yourself in less than 5 minutes with no tools. Air Filter/MAF cleaning for $190 is also a rip off. The filter is maybe $30, plus ten cents worth of MAF cleaner spray. 15 mintues tops in labor. It's really pricey if they are doing the spark plugs too since all that comes off as part of the plug change. Sparkplugs aren't too crazy over the top considering they have to remove the upper intake manifold and replace it, but it's still about $100 too much IMO. Plugs are $40 or less, a new intake gasket might be $10. All the rest is easy labor that they've done before. Battery is probably $120 or so, so $75 additional to change it out is a rip off. No clue on the door ajar thing, but I'm sure they are very high on that as well. Time to find a good independent mechanic or start turning wrenches yourself. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRbillZ Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 People will pay that then come to my office and complain that the contact lenses I sell them are too much and want a prescription to get them online... for $5.00 less...plus $7.50 shipping 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TmoodEdge Posted June 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Hmm! DIY... I'll definitely look in to this. I'm pretty sure I can handle most of these tasks. Air and Engine filter, without a doubt. But would DIY spark plugs be of a concerns and best left to professional? Door "ajar" -- the door lock just fine. Just the sensor that's messed up anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Have you ever changed spark plugs before? The only note of caution I have is a] be careful to get the new plugs started correctly, and b] don't overtorque them once they are tightened a 1/4 turn past "snug". A writeup here if you want to evaluate if this is DIY for you: http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/8724-sparkplug-replacement-job-info-with-photos/ Also http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/9008-spark-plugs/ Change the PCV valve at the same time, since you will have done 99% of the prep anyway! Use the correct spark plug for your application, which is SP520 for the 2011 3.5 or 3.7 engines. Gap should be at 0.049–0.053 inch (1.25–1.35 mm). Check gap (with a feeler gauge if possible [Amazon]) or very gently with a dial gauge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian K Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 If I ever take my vehicle to a dealer, I specifically say NOT to change the cabin air filter or engine air filter. Those are pure money makers for them. The filters are pretty cheap at autoparts places and changing them occasionally is easy. The hardest part of the cabin air filter change is taking the crap out of the glove box. Look on Youtube if you aren't familiar with where it is. I usually write a date on the filters so when I check them, I can see when they were last changed. I find they are generally good for a year then they start to look dirty. For many years, there were no such things as cabin air filters and every thing worked well. However they do keep dust and other crap out of the heater/A/C coils so is a good thing to have and change occasionally. Fram makes a Febreeze cabin air filter which is supposed to help eliminate odors. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWRBB Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 b] don't overtorque them once they are tightened a 1/4 turn past "snug". There is a torque spec on the plugs. Given all the different angles you are working at to tighten the plugs, I'd recommend using a torque wrench and properly torquing the plugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian K Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 For years I tightened bolts by 'feel' because I didn't have a torque wrench - including wheel lug nuts. Then I got a 3/8" & 1/2" torque wrenches for Christmas and I love them. It just feels right to use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamugrad2013 Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 (edited) My best cabin air filter story is when I had my Edge in for free oil change from the dealer I brought it from, they came into to waiting area filter in hand showing me how dirty it was and to change it for "only" 89.99 Oh the joy I got when I told them no you can go put that back where you got it from and I will stop at O'Reilly's on the way home and pop one in. Once you do it twice its at max a 5 minute job and only costs as much as the filter. Edited July 9, 2016 by tamugrad2013 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TmoodEdge Posted September 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Thanks guys! I really appreciate the tips!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan1942 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 I got a quote last week of over $ 1,100 to change my brake booster. That is why I tackled it my self. Probably 4 hours total. If there is a next time It will be around 2 hours. It's not right what dealers do to customers. After being on this planet 74 years doing most of my repairs on my tractors, and cars, and motorcycles, one gets a good idea of what's happening. It's too bad some people don't have a clue when it comes to mechanical things. Oil change places are another rip off store. Just watch out. Stan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefduane Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 K&N reusable Cabin Air Filter #VF2019 $29.99. Wash and re-use every other oil change. I figure 2 - 3 oil changes and its paid for itself. Plus, having to empty the glove box helps me get rid of all the crap and detritus that accumulates in there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulSchott Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 The only reasonable repair rates I have ever seen were my own. Just had a water pump done at my mechanic. Their rates are $110/hr. in Connecticut. Ford rates in Ct. are $130/ hr. I had them piggyback new belts on the job and anything else that needed changing at the same time.(antifreeze, timing chains, tensioners check them and change if necessary.) They did the plugs which I didn't pay for because I had just changed them 3000 miles before. They should have asked me before they did the work. My point is if you can do it yourself, do it yourself, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and try to piggyback inexpensive parts onto the labor that is being done anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 If you consider the expensive equipment and training that's required to work on modern vehicles it's easy to see why they're charging those rates even for simple jobs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 .... and, as complex and interactive the electrical and mechanical systems are nowadays, often times its better to just bite the bullet and go with the pro. I remember rebuilding my 56 Ford Vicky automatic transmission when I was in high school. (Had to, my dad refused to pay a mechanic to do it). But the modern ones are a real trip compared to those. Now days you have to go to school for every little system else your just guessing. (Course at my age, auto mechanics is not worth the trouble ....). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefduane Posted March 8, 2017 Report Share Posted March 8, 2017 ..plus shop mechanix rates factor in any warranty that might be offered. You can do your own brakes and save money but the only warranty you get is the trust you put in your own work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doji_nj Posted May 12, 2017 Report Share Posted May 12, 2017 Good point on factoring in warranty. The indie shop that padded and charged 3 hrs for the rear wheel bearing told me he is factoring in I will be back in a year. I still am cheesed after 6 months he padded it that much though....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincyedge13 Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 The quote I got from my dealer to change the plugs in my 2013 Edge was $528. They told me it takes 4 hours, but it seems there are a lot of DIY folks here and on youtube who are able to do it in an hour or two, and save a lot of $$$, so I'm going to give that a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWRBB Posted July 26, 2018 Report Share Posted July 26, 2018 Go for it. The only issue I had was one of the plug boots stuck to a plug on one of the rear plugs when I pulled the coil. You have to get the boot off to get the plug out- so I used my one of my pick tools to go along side it, then turned it to catch under the boot and pulled it up. Other than that it was easy. Manifold R&R was cake. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted July 27, 2018 Report Share Posted July 27, 2018 Harbor Freight is a great resource for these additional tools you might need: pick tools, extra long hemostats. I would get a computer parts vacuum adapter for household vacuum cleaner just to make sure there is no debris in the plug wells before you remove the plugs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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