Dealer Quote for Spark Plug Change on 2.7L over $700?!

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These price bitching threads are useless if we cant see a picture of the estimate

 

I was quoted similarly for the 40k service on my GTI. Tech told me the major item was changing plugs.

I bought the magnetic adapter to pull the plugs out and bought a nice bottle of whiskey instead.

 

so even at the shop rate of $150/hr.[/QUOTE]

Shops are charging $150 an hour

 

It’s stupid, especially considering the hourly rate the techs make.

LI don’t ever feel bad for arguing until a salesman is blue in the face for a better deal.

 

So this is different than the spark plugs but I feel like the dealerships are a damn scam. I bought my truck back in December and apparently the previous owner had purchased a "Toyota care plan" which they said would get transferred over to me but I was skeptical about it. Anyway, I went in last month for the 35,000-mile service and wouldn't you know the care plan got transferred but I'm sure I paid for it somewhere.

At the end of my visit the tech was going over the checklist with me and upcoming services that I should get done and corresponding prices. I was actually pretty shocked about how much they were charging for some services. To be honest, I think it's a little nutty that they are charging $175 for a tech to run a can of seafoam.

 

Thanks for that advice and wish I knew about the tape tip, as it would have saved me a lot of frustration.

I did try the old air hose technique, but never felt sure enough to trust that I wasn't cross threading it. The spark plugs don't need anti-seize, but looking back I'm glad I chose to use it.

 

yeah I came across the tape trick when I did my 3.4l truck had those tubes too, if u bang the socket pulling up could knock the socket off the extension,then

 

I did end up buying an extended socket by Gearwrench I think that is made for our spark plugs, so won't have that problem again. You got to LOVE the 2.7L for how simple and low maintenance it is.

 

Lol

 

I should have stated "simple" for non-newbies, but the straight 4 is so easy to get at that I would never pay someone to do it unless you are really busy and have no time.

 

Yessah

 

What? And here I was complaining about $419 for a V6 spark plug change and "set timing".

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stealership-pricing.439422/

 

I dont know what you are complaining about. Shocked about what exactly?
$115 for a brake fluid change ( FAIR), 165 for a coolant change ( A touch high but fair) , 125 for power steering change ( a touch high but fair). Those arent getting bent over prices, they are actually pretty fair. What do YOU think the cost should be?

 

Winner winner, Taco dinner.

 

Thousands of people who are pencil pushers or woman pay that every single day at the dealerships.

 

Plugs are due at 100k so if this $700 quote includes other mileage-specific services (TB cleaning, coolant, etc) then it may be fair. Hard to say without more information.
I can do 4 new plugs on my truck in about 1.5 hours and I am definitely not ASE-certified mechanic.

 

Dealer mechanics aren’t sniffing those rates. That’s just markup, like everything else at a dealer.

I swapped an ignition rail and could have swapped plugs on my buddy’s Jeep for free. I should write him a bill for $250 and call it the deal of a century

 

I guess it depends on which Subaru. I changed the plugs on my 02 WRX in about 35 mins without having to drop the engine. Took a little finesse to get to them, but it wasn't really that difficult.

 

I find that unbolting the motor mounts and lifting the subaru engines up a little makes it easier

 

I've never heard of actually needing to pull the engine to do them... but my '04 was in no way, shape or form easy. I seem to remember pulling the coil boot and spring off and stuffing them down the tube, then rotating the coil about 3 different ways, to get it back in the left rear cylinder. Bless the SOHCs and their plugs pointing halfway up at you.

I have, however, seen someone botch a HG job on one (an N/A SOHC at that) trying to do them in frame. Dumbest thing I ever saw. My record was 1:45 and only lifting the car once to put the engine on a stand.