Excess Dealer Spark Plug Change Expense?

Ha, You instantly slapped me back to memories of my 90's ford dealership days.The "in everything 3.0" was/is one of Fords best.

ANYWAYS
The Toyota van counter engine (2 GR FE) is much more difficult to access the rear plugs... maybe thats what the tech is thinking?

 

It's not libel if it's true ....which I have no idea, but assuming OP isn't lying to us....

 

Guessing it's the same guys that think 4 inches is 8...

 

I had it done for 300 bucks at WC Toyota on a 5th G 4Runner, which has a similar engine. The labor here is more than Woodland.

*this includes chasing an error code that only came up during the smog check.

 

That seems high for just plugs.
Lexus charges $475 and Toyota charges 270.00 here in East Tennessee.
It’s not a particular hard job. The drivers side is the worst. And “worst” is not a good word.
Once you remove the intake brace, it’s not too bad.

 

I've been a mechanic, although not a Toyota dealer tech... pretty sure I can do mine in about 30 minutes without bothering to bust out any power tools. Pretty much just a 10mm swivel for the coils, a swivel plug socket (makes a big difference, especially with spark plug tubes requiring an extension, if there's something blocking a straight shot) and maybe pliers for the vent hoses on the driver's side.

Ya only need the ratchet for like 2 turns each way per plug, unless something's screwed up. Takes 5-10 seconds to finger-spin a plug in & out, and with the right tools there's basically nothing in the way.

That said, flat rate is flat rate, the idea is you win some ya lose some, and if you give up the extra on all the ones ya win some on, then it's just you lose some & you don't lose others. I don't expect anyone to drop appreciably from that unless book time is really egregiously wrong. But... that still doesn't explain some prices I've seen for these plugs. Pretty sure someone on reddit a few weeks back asked the same about $7-800 for what definitely was just doing the plugs.

 

Soooo basic with just a hand full of swivel and extention combo's. Just watched my son do the 08 1grfe in just over 1/2 hour.

$3.50 an O.E.M. plug at the dealer.

Old worn plugs had .090 gap! Still it ran like silk

 

It can be done even faster if you have an intake plenum spacer.

 

Sounds like the quote was for more than spark plugs. They probably threw in oil change, power steering flush, brake flush, front and rear differential oil change, transfer case oil change, new air filters, fuel induction cleaning, and maybe more. All things I would expect at 120k mile service, but all things I can do myself for much cheaper than $1600. Probably 300-400 tops and a days work.

OP, what else was included at that price? No way it was just plugs.

 

Didn't know they were out there. Who makes them? What kind of performance gains do you see?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/xtp-intake-manifold-spacer-4-0l.297774/page-31
https://extremetruckperformance.com/products/intake-manifold-spacer-toyota-tacoma

Gains for me was more power almost all the way through the RPM band. It's a great and easy mod.

 

Who doesn't?

 

Those of us who have been changing spark plugs for over 50 years usually don’t.

 

be sure to take advantage of their upcoming oil/filter change special, only $559!

 

Good for you. Those of who haven't been doing it for 50 years maybe should. Those doing it for the first time definitely should.

 

How much antiseize do use?

 

None. Nice try…

 

lmfao
Drive it to Mesa, AZ and I'll do it for $300

Or buy a $100 socket set

 

I use a little anti-seize on the plug threads when I do them. Dad taught me how much when I did my first car back when I wasn't wicked-old. (like I am now)

"How much of this stuff do I use Dad?"
"You know how glass fogs up when you breathe on it when its cold out?
"Yes."
"That much."

 

I recently changed mine using this tool https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...k-plug-socket-with-10in-swivel-bar/914154_0_0 . This could be my new favorite tool. Makes changing Plugs in COP wells a breeze.