Rough Idle / Misfire (Insights?)

[namllitsdad]

My son has my 2004 Marauder at school in Chicago and called and told me the Marauder is having some issues:
1. Hard Start
2. Rough Idle
3. Check engine light on
4. Slight misfire at initial acceleration

Additional history: 150k miles with about 40k on new engine (original went south at 110k) Car has sat for about a year prior to my son taking it to school. Ran fine as my daily driver.

He took to Autozone and their scan shows a bad coil code.

So I called a shop near my son for a quote, including replacing the plugs.

Below are the details of the quote:

Labor
Spark Plugs Replacement
Ignition Coil Replacement
Options selected
Parts included
Spark Plug (8x) $31.52
Ignition Coil (6x) $352.68
Intake Manifold Gasket Set $100.78
Labor Cost: $154.00
Parts Cost: $484.98
Parts Tax: $44.86
Total Cost: $683.84


Seems high and was looking for some advice / feedback on the quote or quality mechanics in the Chicago area. I don't have access to the car and we need to get her running right again.

Thanks in advance.

[Ourobos]

Replacing coils and plugs is one of the easiest most basic jobs there is.. A 5 minute video and you could do it yourself..

Motorcraft plugs and coils, the price looks close. Why the intake gasket?

[Turbov6Bryan]

Go to rock auto and buy 8 Delphi coils and 8 NGK spark plugs

[namllitsdad]

I just saw the "spark plug" sticky and I agree... I will make a run at the project myself...

Thanks

[namllitsdad]

Got no idea on the intake gasket ....

[Fastbob]

Your repair list shows "6" coils, but make sure you replace all 8. Not sure if that was a typo or not. The sparkplug and coil replacement on these cars is so easy a caveman could do it. Just make sure to properly torque the sparkplugs and be careful with the coil electrical connections.

[justbob]

I have yet to see a bad intake gasket. Even if true it's a real EASY job and the gasket is cheap.


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[namllitsdad]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the feedback without revoking my "man card".... I simply didn't think it through, trying to get my son back on the road....

[fastblackmerc]

While your doing all the work, clean the MAF, IAC and throttle body.

Remember to torque the spark plugs and use silicone dielectric grease on the spark plug end of the COP.

[RF Overlord]

Napleton Ford in Libertyville is highly recommended by SergntMac...who used to live in Chicago.

For those who don't know him, he is a founding member of mm.net. Although he no longer owns a Marauder, he did much of the early research and testing of aftermarket parts for the MM...Zack & Mac control arms, underdrive pulleys, Iridium spark plugs and many other parts.

[Mr. Man]

If you get the parts and are not handy or don't have tools there are many members in and around Chicago. Perhaps you could enlist the help of a willing member(s) and take them out for lunch/dinner. Just a thought.

[namllitsdad]

Replaced coils and plugs today..1 hour...saved $300 bucks...thanks for the feedback!

[Turbov6Bryan]

Excellent

Good for another 150k

Now go change every single fluid in the car,thank me later ;)

[xopher]

While your doing all the work, clean the MAF, IAC and throttle body.

Remember to torque the spark plugs and use silicone dielectric grease on the spark plug end of the COP.

+1 on torqueing the plugs correctly. I ignored this advice and I've now belched and timeserted plugs #6 and #8. Buy a halfway decent torque wrench and learn how to use it. This isn't an old steel Buick; it's a modern aluminum motor and she can be a delicate flower sometimes. A sub-$100 torque wrench purchase now will save you potentially hundreds of dollars later.

I'll try to search for a thread, and if there isn't one, then I might write up my novice experience with timesert kit 5553.

[RF Overlord]

I might write up my novice experience with timesert kit 5553.Please do...it might benefit someone else.