An ominous sign and spark plugs
07-04-2008, 11:55 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 638
An ominous sign and spark plugs
So...........
I swung by the dealership today to ask about labor on changing out plugs.
Talked to the service tech that I normally deal with and he said, yes, their mechanics have had experience with the problem plugs and seperation.
He quoted me $250 for lthe set labour with me supplying the 1 piece plugs myself.
Unfortunately, if the plug did break, i would get charged for the labor to remove.
I said i would think about it and went home.
When i got home, i figured hey, mite as well check the plugs on my beater truck.
So go to pull the plugs on my pathfinder and see how they are doing.
1 creaked like a wooden plank and was a bitch.
I didn't have any PB Blaster so i had to make do with WD-40 and brake cleaner.
It was binding on something the whole way thru, and i figured it was from the crap in the threads because the other plugs were pretty dirty when they came out.
Finally it came out, cleaned the plug and hand threaded it back in, went in fine.
Starting to tighten it, and again it was freaking tight and slow.
Tried backing it out a few times, threads were clean and started all over again.
Im sure it wasn't cross threaded as i made 2 complete turns by hand and it was fine.
3.5 to 4 turns in, it literally gets jammed. Won't go down, wont come up.
I don't want to force it so I left it as is.
Car runs, but now im scared. The way its left, i know its not fully tightened, but because i can't tighten or loosen it, if i reef on it i'm worried i'll snap the plug.
That pretty much sealed the deal that i would have the dealer fix the stang.
Off topic, anyone got suggestions on the pathfinder?
Do i find some PB blaster and hope to god the plug will come out?
Thanks in advance
I swung by the dealership today to ask about labor on changing out plugs.
Talked to the service tech that I normally deal with and he said, yes, their mechanics have had experience with the problem plugs and seperation.
He quoted me $250 for lthe set labour with me supplying the 1 piece plugs myself.
Unfortunately, if the plug did break, i would get charged for the labor to remove.
I said i would think about it and went home.
When i got home, i figured hey, mite as well check the plugs on my beater truck.
So go to pull the plugs on my pathfinder and see how they are doing.
1 creaked like a wooden plank and was a bitch.
I didn't have any PB Blaster so i had to make do with WD-40 and brake cleaner.
It was binding on something the whole way thru, and i figured it was from the crap in the threads because the other plugs were pretty dirty when they came out.
Finally it came out, cleaned the plug and hand threaded it back in, went in fine.
Starting to tighten it, and again it was freaking tight and slow.
Tried backing it out a few times, threads were clean and started all over again.
Im sure it wasn't cross threaded as i made 2 complete turns by hand and it was fine.
3.5 to 4 turns in, it literally gets jammed. Won't go down, wont come up.
I don't want to force it so I left it as is.
Car runs, but now im scared. The way its left, i know its not fully tightened, but because i can't tighten or loosen it, if i reef on it i'm worried i'll snap the plug.
That pretty much sealed the deal that i would have the dealer fix the stang.
Off topic, anyone got suggestions on the pathfinder?
Do i find some PB blaster and hope to god the plug will come out?
Thanks in advance
07-05-2008, 12:09 AM
#2
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,401
RE: An ominous sign and spark plugs
The pathfinder uses good old fashioned One pice plugs right? I'd shoot the PB Blaster down there and work the plug in and out until she seats.
$250 does seem a lot to change the plugs, especially when you're still gonna get bent over if they break one. Seems like they have their cake and are eating it too, greedy *****.
$250 does seem a lot to change the plugs, especially when you're still gonna get bent over if they break one. Seems like they have their cake and are eating it too, greedy *****.
07-05-2008, 12:35 AM
#4
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,292
RE: An ominous sign and spark plugs
As far as I can tell, howaremat...
He took the Stang to the stealership and got quoted $250 + $f*ckups, then took it home to think about it.
He removed the plugs from his Pathfinder and one of them was quite difficult to remove. Not having a decarbonizing agent on-hand, he used WD-40 + brake cleaner to loosen the plugs (?).
What year Pathfinder is it? My mom's 2005 has one piece plugs.
edit: Oh and I totally forgot to add, do the plugs yourself following the TSB closely and you'll be fine!!!
He took the Stang to the stealership and got quoted $250 + $f*ckups, then took it home to think about it.
He removed the plugs from his Pathfinder and one of them was quite difficult to remove. Not having a decarbonizing agent on-hand, he used WD-40 + brake cleaner to loosen the plugs (?).
What year Pathfinder is it? My mom's 2005 has one piece plugs.
edit: Oh and I totally forgot to add, do the plugs yourself following the TSB closely and you'll be fine!!!
07-05-2008, 12:35 AM
#5
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,401
RE: An ominous sign and spark plugs
As I understand it Matt, he bailed on the Mustang because it was too expensive. But being denied a plug change he had a go at his pathfinder instead, and found the shagged plug.
So, the Pathfinder is limping round with a plug half out and the Mustang remains untouched.
Do I win a prize? [8D]
So, the Pathfinder is limping round with a plug half out and the Mustang remains untouched.
Do I win a prize? [8D]
07-05-2008, 12:41 AM
#7
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 638
RE: An ominous sign and spark plugs
Wonderful side topic isn't it?
Yes pathfinder = 1 piece plug so i'll hunt down some PB blaster and have a go at it again
That being said, if i have already had problems with a 1 piece plug, god knows the issues i'll have with the stang.
Most likely i will have the dealer remove the plugs from the stang.
I don't think i will be able to deal with it once i break a plug or something.
Yes pathfinder = 1 piece plug so i'll hunt down some PB blaster and have a go at it again
That being said, if i have already had problems with a 1 piece plug, god knows the issues i'll have with the stang.
Most likely i will have the dealer remove the plugs from the stang.
I don't think i will be able to deal with it once i break a plug or something.
07-05-2008, 12:43 AM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 345
RE: An ominous sign and spark plugs
I think i would attempt the plug changed and if one gets jammed the $100 tow fee is still less than what the dealership charges to make the attempt, and they can still clean up the mess!
Follow the TSB and take your time, I am sure you will be OK.
Follow the TSB and take your time, I am sure you will be OK.
07-05-2008, 12:44 AM
#10
RE: An ominous sign and spark plugs
ahh!! he said "fix" the stang and that was what was throwing me off. So there isnt a problem with it you just want the dealer to do the work now. Yep, good idea if you feel uncomfortable. If one did break then you have to tow it to the dealer, so that would be a bigger pain in the butt!