okieyota

for any professional mechanics or dealers out there, I have a question

I went to my local mechanic today for sparkplugs for my 1999 Tacoma V6 manual ext cab 4Wd

bill was 36.84 for spark plugs and 146.92 labor 5.15 for supplies and 4.00 for disposal or a total of 192.91

I am thinking this is pretty hi for a set of plugs.

any feedback from you professionals? I live in Tulsa OK

many thanks

Bob_98SR5

okie,

good grief, if you smell a rat, it is a rat!

waskillywabbit has a good write up on this very subject. plugs cost less than $1.50 each and the spark plug wires about $42 from any of the competing internet toy parts dealers. buy some dielectric grease and anti-seize for the threads.

go to it, man.

bob

User 051420

Yikes! I paid only $174 for a tuneup on my 97. Plugs, t-body, maf, fuel filter..etc.... Now, I'd do it myself. But dayum, thats a lot of money!

ssyota

That is alittle HIGH. Maybe he was too. I could see that comming from a dealership but not a local guy. It should of only took him a 1/2 hr to 1hr at the most. It's not that hard of a job!! I work at a GMC dealer and see that all the time with the dealer prices marked to the moon but the little local guys usually take care of there customers and not try and screw them. I think it's time for you to find a new local mech or go buy a set of tools and start learnin. SORRY to hear about that. Everytime I hear something like that it makes me won't to more and more open my own shop just to give the average joe a fair deal. Its guys like that that give us Techs a bad name.

QIKRUNR

Exactly what he said. The dealership I work at charges $68 for a tune up.

AKennedy87

Ya dude it took me less than 1/2 hour to change my plugs when I was like 16. I am 18 now and replaced my engine last month... but plugs are a piece of cake. And wires should take you about 5 more minutes as long as you make sure you know where they came from on the Distributor.

Good luck man

ssyota

What I don't get is why it cost so much for only 3 wires. The 3.4 only has 3 wires and they connect to 3 coil packs.

okieyota

Called the mechanic and asked them to review the charges.

They did the review and called me back and said they had by mistake entered in the charge code for a full tuneup which was for 2 hours labor, they are going to charge me for 30 minutes labor and refund the difference.

Not sure what the difference will be, but it should be a pretty nice refund.

Thanks to all for your input and feedback.

I reviewed the instructions from waskillywabbit's post on spark plug replacement and think I will just spend the mechanic money next time to buy some of those "lifetime hi quality" spark plugs, do the install myself, and forget about going to the mechanic for spark plugs

okieyoda

roger

Mistake in the charge code? Riiiiiiiiight....

MvCrash

That Mechanic should hang on sign on the door so you can read it on the way out that says "HEY, HOW DID THAT FEEL?"

outdoorfever

okie yota...it isnt that hard to change out your spark plugs. I am right down the street. I will hop on over anytime if you ever need help. Welcome to the boards.

NX Tacoma

All I have to say is........WOW!

Flamedx4

Stop by and bring a six pack and I'll help you do the full tune up/wire change and then you won't have to spend any more money on it. Budget at least 2 hours time - 30 minutes for the work and the rest for shootin the bull and planning the next project....

okieyota

I am glad to find this board.

Been a 4runner and Tacoma driver for a number of years now. I am convinced the 4Runner and Tacoma are top notch transportation for anyone who enjoys outdoor sports in far off places. Great Trucks!!

It is great to find all this information and folks willing to give out tips and advice.

I have been spending some time just going back and reading the history and enjoying the posts on this board.

Looking forward to actually seeing the 2005 Tacomas and hoping to see a Diesel Tacoma offered by the factory. I know they have Diesel Tacomas over in England. and down in Costa Rica and other parts of South / Central America.

Henryv

Well best quote I could get out of a dealer here is about 300 for plugs and wires

CynicX

well mistakes do happen....I'm not saying this guy was trying to rip you off or not but if its a big place and he just entered some buttons and the secretary doesnt know any better....could happen....at least when you called they didnt start making excuses and your getting your money back....glad it worked out for you...

outdoorfever

fo sho. gotta look at it both ways.