spark plug removal

deereman64 · Jan 15, 2011

I have a jeep wrangler 2007. A vehicle I thought would rough and ready and any repair could be achieved with a hammer and duck tape, but to my amazement the garage wanted $240.00 to change the spark plugs. Why are these things so expensive to change these days. Could this be a new franchise? All you need is a map to tell you where they are in the engine and a omni-directional omni sized with video tool.

mrmikey · Jan 15, 2011

One reason, other than labor, could be iridium plugs, they aren't cheap......Mike

JJZ 109 · Jan 15, 2011

Although it may not apply in this case, sometimes the motor has to be undone from the mounts and jacked up. Especially in front wheel drive units. I've got a '98 Eldorado that I'd hate to try and get to the 4 rear plugs on.

jake98 · Jan 15, 2011

what's a spark-plug?

mostly_gas · Jan 15, 2011

Do some research on the web. You should be able to get a good feel for whats involved in changing the spark plugs. If they have not been changed in 4 years there is a chance one or more plugs may break during removal and that will increase the charge.

Gary Fowler · Jan 15, 2011

Spark plugs should be easy to owner change unless you just dont want to get your hands dirty. The engine should be forward mounted (not side mounted like front drive with transaxles) so the plugs should be accessible. I had a Jeep Cherokee Laredo that had a straight 6 cylinder engine and everything was easy to get too on it. If you have a V 8 it may be a little tight. Plugs should be good for 100 K miles but plug wires might need to be changed.

automech · Jan 15, 2011

The Wrangler should have the 3.8L V6. The flat rate time on the plug replacement is 1.1 hours. In my shop at 90 and our that would be about 100 bucks. The OEM plugs are double platinum Champions that list out at 15 bucks a pop. They cost about 7 each. But even at full list the price should be 190 plus tax. The job is a snap though, well within the reach of a do it yourselfer.

kebo · Jan 15, 2011

Changing plugs on the Ford 5.4L triton v8 is a joke. The plugs are recessed down in a well, with the COP'S (coil over plug pac) sitting right on top of each plug. Then, you have the fuel rails sitting right above the COP. Just ridiculous to change out the plugs. And if you break one off, you are really $crewed.

Maybe that Jeep motor has a lot of stuff in the way as well??