Here's my experience. The pics may help.
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/sunny-day-upgrades.161482/#post-2278715
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/sunny-day-upgrades.161482/#post-2278715
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I have never seen a spark plug last to 100k miles..... but... new technology and such.... I change mine at 60,000 miles. Not rediculously hard to do....... and not worth even 200.00 for the dealer to do!
Even the trans service is not that bad, it just has to be done a certain way.
Plenty of threads on this forum about it.
I did it, and it wasn't cheap, but saved a bunch.
A necessary evil.
BTW, ZF recommends a fluid/filter change at 60 - 80k miles I believe, sooner if hard use.
Don’t know about Hemi plugs but both of my daughters have Asian cars with iridium plugs. Felt like I was wasting $60 replacing them at 100K. The old plugs looked about as good as the new ones with minimal soot and still a perfect gap. A far cry from the old fashioned plugs of my younger days.
I will do mine at around 80K miles. Not because the plugs will be really bad, but because I am concerned that I won't be able to get them out of the head at 100K.
Either way, I will only ever do them once or twice, so doing it a bit early seems right to me.
I was doing some other stuff at around 85k so figured I would change out my plugs while I was at it. At 85k, my plugs looked fantastic, and gaps were still correct. I had already bought new ones, so I swapped them anyway, but definitely didnt need it.For some reason, the prices for tune ups on the hemi are all over the place. I’ve heard everything from $500-$900. It is recommended to do at 100k, and if they haven’t been done before, definitely something I’d do. If you do a search, you can probably find some of the posts that show the condition of their plugs pulled out at 100k, not pretty.
Anyway, I’d call some other dealers in the area. My dad had this quoted on his hemi over the last couple of weeks, and one of the local dealers said between $500-$600 which seems much more reasonable.
My step son is a mechanic. He says you have to remove the tire on the driver's side to get to the back plug. Definately not an legitimate reason for an extra $200.
The dealer quoted me $299 for my 3.7L Nitro. When I asked why, he said it was because they had to take off the Plenum to change the plugs. After a search on You Tube I found out HE LIED!
My local dealer told me I needed a transmission rebuild on the same Nitro. Another dealer told me all it needed was a sofetware update which fixed the problem. I really don't trust dealerships when it comes to repairs.
There may be a service manual somewhere that says you should remove the wheel on the drivers side, but having changed them myself, I will absolutely say it is not necessary. Actually, I would say it is completely unnecessary amd I cannot see how it would even be beneficial to do so.My step son is a mechanic. He says you have to remove the tire on the driver's side to get to the back plug. Definately not an legitimate reason for an extra $200.
The dealer quoted me $299 for my 3.7L Nitro. When I asked why, he said it was because they had to take off the Plenum to change the plugs. After a search on You Tube I found out HE LIED!
My local dealer told me I needed a transmission rebuild on the same Nitro. Another dealer told me all it needed was a sofetware update which fixed the problem. I really don't trust dealerships when it comes to repairs.
nobody here will install customer supplied parts. the rest of what you said is 100% spot on.You can buy an aftermarket transmission pan with a changeable oil filter & i think it has a Drain Plug
People that Tow a lot, change fluid more often, so they buy the after market pan.
The OEM trans pan has a filter that can not be removed & replaced
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If you don't want to pay dealer prices for a spark plug change & you don't want to tackle the job yourself.
Buy the plugs online & take the vehicle to a auto shop with a good reputation & get the job done. I would use a shop that has the
ASE Blue Seal proudly displayed
When ever you have service work done keep the receipts, mark down the Date & Mileage
Printer ink tends to fade
Yeah, taxes suck. We just bought a brand new vehicle (wife totaled her SUV). Almost $4k in taxes. It is what it is.Hey... I just pizzed away $870.00 for freaking SALES TAX !!!! on the 2012 I brought home yesterday,
at least you get "something" for your $800.
Actually there are many private shops here that will BUT customer supplied parts receive NO warranty support. If you have a problem and the part dies, oh well…. You get to pony up the dough and have them do it again.nobody here will install customer supplied parts. the rest of what you said is 100% spot on.