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Spark plugs replacement at 120K?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by zenMachine, Feb 9, 2012.

  1. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    For $230?

    Or are they (Toyota dealer service department) pulling a fast one?
     
  2. bshef

    bshef Active Member

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    Fast one?....no....just their typical Dealership $100/hr labor rate.

    Seriously....changing sparkplugs is basically like changing a lightbulb...you unscrew the old and screw in the new....Presto!
    Maybe $3 per plug....x 4 plugs...Heck let's just round up to $20 for parts.
    (warning...the following contains sarcasm)
    If you're the type of person that typically...
    -Eats out at the airport....
    -Buy gas next to the freeway..in the largest metropolitan areas.
    -shops at Bloomingdales or Neiman Marcus

    Then yes...by all means....continue getting your service work done at the dealership!
     
  3. tv4fish

    tv4fish Member

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    !
    For his Prius - That just might be oversimplfying it just a little --- Most light bulbs unscrew pretty easily - if his plugs are original - they may be a tad more difficult to remove.
    Please let me know your source for the "correct" plug to be purchased for $3/plug. ?

    Bottom line zen - $230 IS out of line. If you are even a little mechanically inclined -you can do it yourself ---OR find another shop for less than 1/2 that amount.
     
  4. tv4fish

    tv4fish Member

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    dOUBLE POST ??
     
  5. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    What are the genuine iridium plugs worth? I thought it was somewhere around $40 for the set. Has anyone bought them recently to confirm this?
     
  6. bshef

    bshef Active Member

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    Attached Files:

  7. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Don't forget, at at dealership, you will pay MSRP for plugs, about $14 ea. Labor should be at most 1 hour. It is also time for a new PCV, and you really should clean out the throttle plate/bore if you have not had this done already. Oh yeah, if it has been more than 60K since the last transaxle fluid change, do that too.
     
  8. kohnen

    kohnen Grumpy, Cranky Senior Member

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    It's a relatively easy job, and plugs at retail dealer are about $14 each. In short, they're trying to screw you.
     
  9. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Let's cut to the chase!!!

    This is such an absolutely simple procedure. Do it yourself and save $$$$$ (no matter where you take it). $230 is outrageous. $100 is outrageous!!!! The plugs are easy to get to. If I remember right, you need a torque wrench, a 3/8" ratchet, a 10mm socket, a small spark plug socket and a spark plug gap tool. Do them one at a time, don't let anything fall into the spark plug hole. If you want a step by step instruction (with pics), buy a Haynes manual.

    Its tooooooooooooooo eeeeeeeeeaaaaaaasssssssyyyyyy
     
  10. bshef

    bshef Active Member

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    Or look on the internets......! oO
     
  11. Wilsid

    Wilsid Junior Member

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    I bought the plugs at O'reillys for $ 7.09 each. NGK part # 4996, My Toyota
    dealer says to change plugs and trans fluid at 70,000 miles. I changed trans
    fluid and plugs at 100,000. It takes about an hour to change plugs, You have to remove things out of the way to get them out. I did the trans fluid and an oil
    change at the same time. I changed the trans fluid for $32.00 with toyota
    ws oil.
     
  12. Wilsid

    Wilsid Junior Member

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    If you need a step by step in how to change plugs just ask.
     
  13. mikeyr

    mikeyr New Member

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    My dad and I changed our Prius plugs last evening using the instructions on PriusChat. Literally having never done it before, time from opening to closing of the hood was 23 minutes. The disclaimer here is that you MUST have the correct tools as described. If your socket extensions are too long or too short it will be come much more difficult or not doable.

    But if you've got the right tools -- put it this way -- I've never had a vehicle that was this easy.
     
  14. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Yes, please.
     
  15. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Tools needed
    1. Torque wrench 3/8" drive
    2. Medium lenght 3/8" extension or 2 small hooked together
    3. 5/8" sparkplug socket
    4. 10mm socket
    5. 3/8" rachet
    6. spark plug gap tool

    0) Check the gaps on all new plugs and ensure gap is set to .043" (if not, carefully adjust to the proper gap)
    1) Open the hood
    2) Remove the relay box in the center of the engine compt (above the spark plug coils (just below the windshield) and move aside.
    3) Remove the 10mm bolt and unplug the first coil/sparkplug wire (a black cable on the top of the engine secured by a 10mm bolt (there are four of them)). I went from left to right
    4) Using the spark plug socket, and 3/8" extension lower the socket into the hole and turn until it slips over the hex portion of the spark plug
    5) place rachet on end of extension and turn counter cw to remove the spark plug. The spark plug will remain in the socket when completely unscrewed
    6) Insert new sparkplug into socket and lower into the hole using 3/8" extension (rachet removed)
    7) Hand tighten spark plug until it stops
    8) Set torque wrench to 13 ft/lbs, attach to extension and tighten to that setting
    9) Replace coil wire and tighten bolt
    Repeat steps 3-9 for remaining plugs
    10) Replace relay panel
    11) Jump up and down and congratulate yourself for saving $200

    I personally did not replace my plugs b/c they were in such good shape. After doing some research on irridium hardness and corrosion resistance, I simply cleaned them with a wire brush and crocus cloth. I'm figuring they are good for another 100,000 miles.
     
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  16. tommymommy

    tommymommy Member

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    I did both of my cars at the same time. One at 120K the other at 96K. I bought my plugs from Amazon and purchased the PCV valves, too. Figured since I was under there anyway, I'd do it all. It does require a very small torque wrench. Had to buy that off line from Harbor Freight. Basically, it took the plugs to 1/4 turn past snug. They were pretty squeaky/ crunchy sounding coming out, but came out intact.

    It was an easy job over all for an old lady. :)
     
  17. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    Why wouldn't one put some anti-seize compound on the new plug threads? That would help with the "squeaky/crunchy" issues removing them the next time.
     
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  18. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    You don't put anti-seize on the threads?
     
  19. shaneb

    shaneb New Member

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    Genuine plugs in Australia retail at about $24.00 per plug.
     
  20. theshark

    theshark Member

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    I paid $100.00 at my Toyota dealer for the replacement of sparkplugs. I believe the $230.00 includes some other service with it I can't remember what.