Should you DYI - coil and plug change or have a mechanic do it??

[Zoe Saldana]

I almost finished doing a coil and plug change on my 2016 Ram 2500 6.4l.

Cost so far:

From Rock auto:
$450 NGK plugs, NGK coils, Connector disconnect tool, antiseeze, shipping, tax
$ 30 Broken connector replacement - not done yet - I'm will have to cut the wires and connect the new one.
??? 1 stuck spark plug - not removed yet
??? Time

I don't know how long it took me to get to this point. But is was a pain in the ass climbing over the engine and using various tools to get the plug out e.g. long ratchet with adjustable head for leverage, regular ratchet, torquing the plugs, tools for the coils, applying antiseize, applying dielectric grease.

I don't know how much it would have cost to have a mechanic for the parts and labor. But if it was up to $1,000 I think I would be a good deal.

 

[Wild one]

I almost finished doing a coil and plug change on my 2016 Ram 2500 6.4l.

Cost so far:

From Rock auto:
$450 NGK plugs, NGK coils, Connector disconnect tool, antiseeze, shipping, tax
$ 30 Broken connector replacement - not done yet - I'm will have to cut the wires and connect the new one.
??? 1 stuck spark plug - not removed yet
??? Time

I don't know how long it took me to get to this point. But is was a pain in the ass climbing over the engine and using various tools to get the plug out e.g. long ratchet with adjustable head for leverage, regular ratchet, torquing the plugs, tools for the coils, applying antiseize, applying dielectric grease.

I don't know how much it would have cost to have a mechanic for the parts and labor. But if it was up to $1,000 I think I would be a good deal.

What tools do you need for the coils,clue me in,as i just pop up the red locking tab and use a thumb to release them.
Personally i think you're your own worst enemy
Don't throw your original coils away,i gave you a link to how to clean them and rebuild them with new springs and boots,as very seldom do the OEM coils crap out.
Buy one of these sockets,it'll make changing plugs in your 6.4 a little nicer

Amazon.com

Also get a short little 1.5" extension,and you'll have everything you need to reach into the Hemi's plug wells.Having the proper tools goes along ways towards making the job livable

Amazon.ca

 

[HemiLonestar]

If you can help it, don't cut the wiring; most people can never get that right again. Depinning the connectors and then inserting the pins into the new one is a much better repair and it avoids hacking up the harness.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

If you can help it, don't cut the wiring; most people can never get that right again. Depinning the connectors and then inserting the pins into the new one is a much better repair and it avoids hacking up the harness.

Good advise, I'll try that. Thanks

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

It's about a 3 hour job if you take your time, check the gaps on the plugs, check your coils and rebuild the coils as you put them back in.

The Amazon tool @Wild one refers is a huge time saver.

OEM coils hold up remarkably well and there is really no reason to spend more for different brand names.

I don't mind doing it anymore, I have 1 ram that's a 30k plug change due to engine mods. Seems like I'm changing plugs every year on it.

 

[Wild one]

Good advise, I'll try that. Thanks

If all you broke is the locking tab,a real cheap fix is to use a small ziptie to tie the connector to the coil

 

[rwahrer]

I had plug and o2 sensors do e to get 5.7 1500 smogged. The bill including smog cert/test was $500. And I got to go to lunch, which did not include creative language.

 

[Wild one]

I almost finished doing a coil and plug change on my 2016 Ram 2500 6.4l.

Cost so far:

From Rock auto:
$450 NGK plugs, NGK coils, Connector disconnect tool, antiseeze, shipping, tax
$ 30 Broken connector replacement - not done yet - I'm will have to cut the wires and connect the new one.
??? 1 stuck spark plug - not removed yet
??? Time

I don't know how long it took me to get to this point. But is was a pain in the ass climbing over the engine and using various tools to get the plug out e.g. long ratchet with adjustable head for leverage, regular ratchet, torquing the plugs, tools for the coils, applying antiseize, applying dielectric grease.

I don't know how much it would have cost to have a mechanic for the parts and labor. But if it was up to $1,000 I think I would be a good deal.

Did you ever get the stuck plug out,give us an update

 

[Dusty]

It would be far better to disassemble the coils and clean them than take the shotgun approach and replace them en banc with new aftermarket units. As previously noted, Ram OEM coils rarely fail, but aftermarket quality is very random.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 132333 miles.

 

[jagu366]

I'm over 175 000 miles on my 2012, factory spark plugs. I'm afraid to get in there, afraid I'd mess it up.

 

[Wild one]

Coil cleaning pics

Yea i know my picture taking abilities suck,lol Hopefully you guys can tell how i go about cleaning up the coils from the pic's. The first pic,is just a pic of everything disassembled.If your truck has the resistors under the spring in the coil towers,you'll want to remove them and clean them...

www.ramforum.com

 

[Zoe Saldana]

Suggested first step - Use penetrating oil on all the plugs. Then drive around for a few days. Then attempt to take out plugs.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

I'm over 175 000 miles on my 2012, factory spark plugs. I'm afraid to get in there, afraid I'd mess it up.

Suggested first step - Use penetrating oil on all the plugs. Then drive around for a few days. Then attempt to take out plugs.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

It would be far better to disassemble the coils and clean them than take the shotgun approach and replace them en banc with new aftermarket units. As previously noted, Ram OEM coils rarely fail, but aftermarket quality is very random.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 132333 miles.

Not realy.
1. Coils don't wear like spark plugs but they are affected by other things. They can fail due to factors such as heat, electrical stress, and the condition of other components like spark plugs.
2. NGK have excellent parts
3. $30 for each coil is reasonable and good for 100K
4. You are introducing variables when you take apart old coils.

 

[Wild one]

Not realy.
1. Coils don't wear like spark plugs but they are affected by other things. They can fail due to factors such as heat, electrical stress, and the condition of other components like spark plugs.
2. NGK have excellent parts
3. $30 for each coil is reasonable and good for 100K
4. You are introducing variables when you take apart old coils.

Don't throw your old coils away dude,as aftermarket coils including NGK's aren't anywhere near the quality of your factory coils.You can clean the contact points in your original coils,and throw new boots and springs on them,and they'll probably outlast your truck.
Read the link above,and you'll see how to clean up and rebuild your original coils.
If you run into a stuck plug,pour tranny fluid in the plug well and work the plug back and forth with some finese,and they'll usually come out.I'm guessing you followed that advice when i gave it to you,if you got the plug out

 

[RodeoRam]

FYI: If you are like me and don't want to make Jeff Bezos any richer, you can get a near equivalent spark plug socket at AutoZone for a couple $ less. The one near me had a few in stock yesterday. I don't know if it is as good quality-wise as the GearWrench, but we'll see. One review mentioned the magnet falling out of their socket. What, is the socket non-ferrous?

 

[Hagar1]

I'm over 175 000 miles on my 2012, factory spark plugs. I'm afraid to get in there, afraid I'd mess it up.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

FYI: If you are like me and don't want to make Jeff Bezos any richer, you can get a near equivalent spark plug socket at AutoZone for a couple $ less. The one near me had a few in stock yesterday. I don't know if it is as good quality-wise as the GearWrench, but we'll see. One review mentioned the magnet falling out of their socket. What, is the socket non-ferrous?

The one I used was the normal one with the rubber at the top inside. Clean the inside for better grip. If it doesn't hold the plug use an old coil pack boot to get the plug out after it has been fully loosened. Also, it would be helpful to use duct tape on the socket as a way to pull the socket out if it gets disconnected from the ratchet extension.

 

[Sherman Bird]

I almost finished doing a coil and plug change on my 2016 Ram 2500 6.4l.

Cost so far:

From Rock auto:
$450 NGK plugs, NGK coils, Connector disconnect tool, antiseeze, shipping, tax
$ 30 Broken connector replacement - not done yet - I'm will have to cut the wires and connect the new one.
??? 1 stuck spark plug - not removed yet
??? Time

I don't know how long it took me to get to this point. But is was a pain in the ass climbing over the engine and using various tools to get the plug out e.g. long ratchet with adjustable head for leverage, regular ratchet, torquing the plugs, tools for the coils, applying antiseize, applying dielectric grease.

I don't know how much it would have cost to have a mechanic for the parts and labor. But if it was up to $1,000 I think I would be a good deal.

Someone told you that coils "seldom go out". They do fail, and more than rarely. The cause is frequently a bad plug. I've seen it far too often to advise anyone with high mileage to not replace them. I am a professional technician, so I have a different perspective on the issue. Good luck!

Uh, one more thing, why do you have anti-seize?

 

[Zoe Saldana]

You quoted the wrong person. I replaced my coils.