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

So I took my 2010 Tacoma (Dbl Cab 4x4 Sport, V6) in for front brakes and spark plug change over the weekend. The service technician could not get my spark plugs removed after multiple attempts. I got a call from the dealer explaining the situation and that they were going to have a master technician attempt to remove them Monday so I did not make a big deal of it, these things happen. However the service rep made the implication that I will be on the hook for additional costs of possibly removing broken spark plugs, removal of air intake manifold, heads, etc. At that point I immediately reminded this person that their service technicians were actually the last to change the spark plugs so if they over torqued them, or didn't use an anti-seize, cross threaded them, installed them in a hot engine, etc I would think that would be there problem, not mine. The service rep then made the comment that the service technician who previously worked on my vehicle no longer works there (ok, lol).

1. The spark plugs were last changed at 29k miles by this dealer, and the vehicle now has 89k miles, so I suppose my missing the 60k change is a contributing factor.
2. However my expectation is that if the plugs were torqued appropriately, anti seize was used, installed in cold engine, etc this would not be a problem correct? Otherwise how do people get away with the 100k intervals regarding the iridium plugs?
3. Or is this just the type of thing that occasionally happens and thus my bad luck?

I'm just trying to have an appropriate response for the scenario where even the master tech can't get them removed and they are then wanting to charge me hundred's of additional dollars in labor. My feeling is that if they had done this right at the 29k change this would be a non-issue, and thus I don't see why I should be paying for their mistake. Any advice/opinions appreciated.

 

That does not happen if previous guy did his job correctly. So pay them nothing extra. They own it

 

hmm...

have they fucked ANYTHING up.... ie stripped plugs broken them etc?

If not and the truck still runs.... take the truck dont let them ever touch it again. Dealers are incompetent. For something like this, id bet some aerokroil would loosen those bitches right up.

 

I had a similar experience, but with my transmission fill plug. I paid for the first fluid change, but was going to do the second myself. After wrecking the plug trying to remove it, I took it in. I told them what happened and got the same "that tech no longer works here" story. I told them I'd pay for the regular service again if they deal with the plug. "No problem" was the reply. When it came time to pay, the service manager brought the bill with an extra $100 tacked on because they had to remove the front drive shaft to remove the plug. I reminded him that it was their guy who got the plug stuck, not me. He wouldn't budge, but offered me a free oil change. I laughed and told him that I don't trust his guys to do an oil change after this experience.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I'd like to cut them loose but now that they have screwed it up I'm sort of hoping they will resolve it. I will give the master tech a chance tomorrow, and remain optimistic. It is generally sort of ridiculous, I opt to pay them $100 in labor so that I can avoid such issues and concerns and they themselves mess up such a simple task (I suspect the guy hand torque'ed them). If I had garage space, etc I would do this work myself but I don't (live in apartment).

Regarding have they f'ed them up, well yeah it sounds like they have them in there so tight that a mechanic can't remove them after 3 or 4 tries. I guess that is sort of f'ed up.

Reminds me of the time I took my Acura to a Valvoline for an oil change and after the "tech" had removed 3 to 4 bolts from my transmission (I was literally watching bolts pile up as I was somewhat observing) I had to point him at the oil drain plug.

 

Are you sure you're not driving a Ford with a Triton 5.4L V8?

 

Makes you feel like it lol. When I was doing some reading about this issue I came across the ford 5.4 problems...what a nightmare.

 

I worry so much about this crap. Just changed my plugs and torqued to 14ft lbs. But I did a double click on every plug is this bad? IE I torqued until click then backed off and torqued till clicked again. Seemed like the plug got a little snugger on the second click might of been the crush washer? I have a 2.7l don't know if the torque specs matter between the 4.0 and 2.7

Don't get me started on the anti size no anti size thing the internet will drive you crazy sometimes.

Best of luck to you hope there able or your able to get them out with out damage. I know the terrible feeling.

 

Let us know how it works out. Too many here have gone way more than 60K w/o changing plugs and got thru it.

As mentioned above, the plug change at 29K was botched or they botched something while doing the current plug change.

No one will ever change plugs on my truck but me.

 

Just something to read about spark plug installation from NGK. They don't recommend anti seize for their plugs and I'm pretty sure Denso doesn't either. It sounds counterintuitive but their is some science behind it.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/dyk_5points.pdf

 

^This question has been thoroughly discussed in other threads. NGK's instructions are to appeal to the lowest common denominator. You will actually get more consistent preload by using antiseize, running down the plugs by hand, then giving it 1/4 turn with a ratchet handle.

The method with the greatest chance of success on the Ford 5.4 is to soak the plugs in penetrating oil, then use an impact wrench to get them out. The Toyota dealer tech could try somthing similar.

 

You should be fine. I just changed mine for the second time (60k miles) this morning and they were easy to remove. The key is to use anitseize on the plugs. I did that when I changed them at 30k and it was so much easier to get them out this time. The factory plugs had no antiseize on them and they were a lot harder to break loose. For what it's worth, I do the double-click method as well...

 

Marked for info.

 

The fact that you went 60k miles without having the plugs changed isn't the dealerships fault. Anti-seize doesn't last forever especially being exposed to engine heat & other conditions for that many miles.

I change mine every 30k miles and sometimes I get one or two plugs that require extra effort to get them out ( which is surprising). I use anti-seize and proper torque. I wouldn't want to go 10k miles past due knowing what a headache it could be.

 

The dealer can always claim is that someone else did the 60k change and they are responsible for the stuck plugs...penetrating oil, impact gun, best of luck.

Howard

 

Although, to be fair some manufacturers use platinum plugs and don't require such short intervals. My Subaru H6 engines were 60k intervals and many folks would get iridium plugs and go 90k the second time with no issues because they were so frustrating to change.

 

Most manufacturers don't call for anti seize there, so...

 

PB Blaster is from heaven.

 

I installed NGK plugs with no anti-seize. Came out 65k later with no trouble.

Dealer's problem. A tech is faceless. The work was done by the dealer. Them firing a tech doesn't suddenly make them not liable.

 

Yikes, hope it turns out OK.

This is exactly why I do most of my maintenance. Plugs are easy and much cheaper to do yourself.