Spark Plugs-Parts and Labor

[mrbill65]

that is what I paid my dealer to change the plugs on my truck.

[Clint]

In the end if you're not comfortable doing it, letting them do it was a good choice. Not everyone has a mechanically skilled friend and sometimes that friend can make an error and $297 would have been less costly.

Clint

[jkon]

Just curious...What would the four piece gasket kit be used for that the dealer mentioned he needed to complete the spark plug change? Thanks.

[05N1SM0]

Four? There should be three pairs (six total pieces). It is suggested that they are replaced and not reused when removing the manifold for a plug job. If you have ever drained your oil, it is like the copper crush washer. The gaskets are rectangular orange silicon and run about $20 per pair. Other than that, I'm not sure what kit your dealer meant?

btw, Two hours labor must equate to five minutes for the Driver's side and 1:55 for the rest of the job?

[jkon]

Yep you are correct 05N1SM0. After looking on the repair invoice it indictes that they used three each 14032-EA200 Gasket-Adapter. I don't know what the heck he was talking about when he originally said four gaskets but that is what he said. Anyway, I do see from the posted instructions on "how to change spark plugs" that the driver's side is a piece of cake. It's the other side that's the pain in the neck labor. Thanks!

[Frontline]

Originally Posted by CARLOS_PRO4X

Well the intake manifold has to come off. And move a few other pieces out of the way.

C'mon..really

I did my own plug change with just ratchet, socket and extensions (and electrical tape for sockets). If you are careful (and I guess clever), this can be done without pulling the manifold. IIRC, it took me 45 minutes and I was talking my time. Granted, if I had sausage fingers, this would have been much more difficult (I wear size L gloves). If a mechanic told me he had to pull the manifold off to do this job, I'd look for another mechanic!

I think this would make a good litmus test for mechanics.

I'm not a "master mechanic" but I did once stay at a Holiday Inn....I guess.

ps. If I mechanic prefers to remove manifold, fine. But the customer shouldn't be asked to pay for gaskets because the mechanic is lazy.

[CdnFrontier]

Dealer here quoted $450 to change plugs in my 06. Took it to a good independent mechanic because I was too lazy to do it myself. $275 out the door.