Spark plug replacement

2017 Tacoma 4x4 has 60,000 miles and plug replacement is recommended. Called dealer and was given a cost estimate of $880. Seems absurd. Is replacing them myself my only option?

 

That is roughly in the ballpark from dealers. I've seen quotes between $400 and that.


In reality on the high end, it is about 1.5hrs of real labor and less than $100 in parts. The left side plugs can be done without removing the plenum.

 

Fairly easy install, glance at a couple you tube videos, should take ya about 2 hours to do.

 

Maybe this is a stupid question, but do sparkplug intervals only go by mileage, or does time still matter? I'm at 6 years, but only at 35k miles.

 

The electrodes wear with use. Time isn't a big factor unless it is just sitting for extended periods.

If you're concerned, it is easy to pull the right side plugs to evaluate.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tacoma-spark-plug-replacement.554468/ <---- This guy has a really nice write up on spark plug replacement.

I just picked up my spark plugs from Toyota yesterday, total cost was $91.

 

Just got quoted $1200.00for plug replacement @60K miles… Robbery? On my 18 o/r…my Taco but maybe send in my Husband? ‍

 

I was also quoted in the realm of 1200 to do spark plugs. I did them myself. But to the OP, no you have many options. You can pay the dealer. You can do it yourself. You can take it to another shop or another dealer to get another quote.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/spark-plug-change-labor-time.824142/

 

I was quoted $380 parts and labor at the dealer where I bought it. What stood out was the six plugs at $8 each which I thought was pretty reasonable. (I have seen them on dealers' parts websites for as little as $6 each.) I ended up doing them myself, but the above quote I thought wasn't bad.

 

Not every dealer becomes "stealership" on this. But reportedly few charge "reasonable" rates, even some "friends" with their own shops still charge a small premium for the labor.

 

on the Tacoma the manual wants you to disassemble a ton of stuff to do the spark plug change. So dealers quoting at that labor rate the cost is really high. In reality they can be changed without removing all of that stuff, and I’m willing to bet the dealers do not do it by the manual. So they charge for way more labor than they actually do. Then you have other dealers who charge for the actual time that it takes.

if you watch some videos on YouTube and read the write ups it is not too difficult to DIY.

 

Wow. I guess things do cost more above the arctic circle. Seriously $400 - $600 at a dealer in the lower 48. DIY 2-3 hours + $60? for 6 plugs.

 

It explains a lot re: the high quotes. I did mine with no manual and nothing had to come off or be disassembled except the engine cover, and I moved a some bracket out of the way on the driver's side.

 

Beating the flat rate (the time the manual says it takes) is how places make their money. More specifically, it's how the techs earn their money.

I'm not arguing the fairness or morals of how the system works. But you will very rarely see a place just charge straight time