Dealer claims spark plugs "stuck", need advice/opinions

Co-worker of mine just paid 400 to have spark plugs changed on his Dodge Hemi.
He said he was feeling lazy, I just laughed. All 8 plugs probably cost 120.

 

Just by your post the story doesn't add up. 1st change, 29.000 mils. Second attempt 89.000 mils..... Try harder and remember who did it at 59.00mils.

 

My plugs were original on my 2.7 and I just hit 119k but I believe they have 120k change intervals according to the threads I've read. They came out with minimal effort. They looked good for 120k light brown/whitish. I couldn't tell if anti seize was used, I thought I read somewhere toyota doesn't recommend it hence why they don't use it at the factory?

 

buddy at work paid 500 for his BMW stated that they had special spark plug tools and that theres no way he could do it. My other buddy who has the same BMW changed his plugs the day prior with no "special spark plug tool".

 

Most Dodge Hemi V8 engines use 16 plugs and they look like a bitch to change. However, I've never done a spark plug change on a Hemi, so I could be wrong.

Edit. I just looked up the labor. It's 2.2 hours to change the 16 plugs. Ouch! I'll stick with Toyotas.

 

That's true, I forgot Dodge's are special. He was already in the shop for both exhaust manifold gaskets blown at 90K

 

The 30K interval isn't there for thread seizure; it's there for electrode wear. The TRD supercharger kit includes iridium plugs to lengthen the change interval to 100k. There are no differences in thread coating between the copper- and iridium-tipped plugs. In ashjwilliams' case, the previous tech probably overtorqued or crossthreaded the plugs.

 

yep, did 2 changes on my 2009 and the first one on my 2013. When I bought the 2009 I had the sales guy pop the hood so I could see where the plugs were. Then I asked if I had a timing chain and not a belt. After owning a Ford 5.4 and replacing the 100k plugs every 30 - 40 the Tacoma is a walk in the park.

 

Chances are the OP was charged for a plug change on the invoice but the plugs never got swapped out .
A classic dealership trend

 

Unless "The Tech Who No Longer Works Here" is on a big fancy sign at the front of the dealership where the "Toyota" sign usually goes, that is not a valid, or legal argument. They shouldn't be hiring incompetent employees. They own it.

 

I understand that...

I'm basing my information on my own changes. At least 2 of my plugs (on both 30k & 60K intervals, OEM plugs - not the same positions) were a bit difficult to get out .... with proper torque & anti-seize.... If I waited another 30K miles, they'd be an extreme bitch to get out. Just sayin'.....

So...even at 30K miles, they won't necessarily come out easily.

 

I get that the plugs should be changed every 30K, but is that independent of time? I dont drive as much as other and I probably wont hit 30K for another 2-3 years which will make the truck 5-6 years old.

 

Yup ... most likely. Lets hope thats what it is and not that previous guy had crossthreaded them. I would isntall spark plugs to the rest of the cylinders, Fire up truck let it warm a little and than try to remove stubborn spark plug.

 

My wife got convinced by the dealer to let them change the plugs in her Charger - "tune-up" time they said. She didn't think my explanation that the "tune-up' was letting Dodge off the hook for the emissions warranty - but anyway......... I went with her to drop off the car and I told the service manager (himself) - that I wanted all 16 plugs back. I got them - and they were perfect - and later when I really needed them in my truck, used them another 60,000 miles.

DEALER SERVICE SCHEMES SUCK.

 

Shit like that definitely gives dealers a bad rap!

What do you mean by letting dodge off the hook for emissions warranty?

 

the time had nothing to do with it, i bought my truck when it already had 80000 mi on it. first thing i did was service everything, including replacing the original spark plugs. unless someone went through the trouble of putting the ngk on one side and denso on the other... but mine came out fine, little effort.

 

This was my first thought too. Can't believe no one mentioned this before now. Typical of dealerships, is why I joined this site so I can do my own maintenance.

 

When OP gets the plugs changed, might want to check if he has Denso on one side, NGK on the other!
OP, make sure to get the old plugs back to check this!

 

Per the original post the plugs were not changed at 60k.

 

Well this was much ado about nothing. The more experienced tech was able to change them today with little issue. I asked the service rep but they didn't know what he did differently and the tech was not available when I stopped by. I'm guessing the initial guy just didn't have much feel for the torque required and was concerned about breaking them or the more experienced guy used penetrating oil, etc. Unfortunately I did not think to ask for the old plugs back I was so interested and motivated to get my vehicle fixed and out of their possession (regret that). However they would have all been the same last change at 29k I actually bought the plugs off Amazon then had them change them, if memory serves they were all Denso plugs. Best case scenario, sorry for the false alarm (though not sure if one should be taking their vehicle in to service where even entry level techs can't change spark plugs).