Plug Replacement - dealer pricing?
 

Hallo,
got almost 35K on my 05 and have recently been experiencing difficult starts. Never really experienced it until the last few weeks; car never had flooding issues, and had the upper-plug warranty job done early in the car's life. Starting issues i'm experiencing now are more noticeable on 'hot' restarts; i.e. after getting gas, stopping at the store, etc.
Anyhow, i've been told by another '8 owner that its likely due to fouled plugs. my commute requires me to take quite a few short-trips on most days; that might contribute.

Anyhooo...local Mazda dealer quoted me $210 for plugs and ~$100 labor, plus $70 to perform 'diagnosis' (aka walk-in-the-door fee).
I understand the lower plugs are a PITA to install, but can anyone comment on how much i'm getting rogered if I go w/ this quote?

GULAMAN

A shitload!

Plugs.......you can get a set of 4 for about $80.00 and cheaper.............do some searches on this site and visit the vendor section.

If you have 35k on the car, then it may be time to get the coils changed........this is easy to do and they run about $30.00 a piece from vendors on this site. You need 4, but you could always test them first. see this link........... http://www.finishlineperformance.com...16-07-1793.pdf

BTW.....you could buy the plugs and coils at the site linked above, http://www.finishlineperformance.com...me.php?cat=254 but there are cheaper places.

If you have ever in your life changed spark plugs out and can take a wheel off, then you can save yourself a buttload of money!

So...............I could do the plugs and the coils for under $200.00 and be done in about 30-40 minutes taking breaks! You decide.

Seriously...............if you can take a wheel off and have just any slight mechanical ability, then you can do the plugs yourself. All four plugs can be reached real easy if you take the wheel off on the drivers side. It's not that bad at all.

Coils...............meh........up to you, but I will tell you that you might want to test them as this is about the mileage they some go out at and if you don't get it resolved, it will lead to way more expensive issues.

What is your location? If you add that............there might be someone local who would be willing to show you if you really don't know how to do these types of minor mechanical things.

+1 Mazurfer's got a lot of good info there but you might also have the early starter motor that turns over slower, so search that too...

^.............didn't want to mention that to him yet cause he's an 05 and with the exception of early 05 build dates, he should be okay.

I heard that some of the plugs were a PITA to get to as well.

I found exactly zero trouble replacing my plugs. Just get the right plug socket, a ratchet, and some ratchet extensions. I used 2 6inch and a 3inch. The flex in the joints from one extension to the next made it perfectly easy to seat the plug socket over each plug without strain or trouble. Use a 12inch extension, or none at all, and yeah, it will be a pain. Get a few so you will have some flex in there, and you are good to go. 10mins or less. Including the time it takes to take off the wheel.


I don't really want to scare you, but hard time restarting when hot is also a sign of failing compression, so if new plugs and/or coils don't fix the issue, start looking for other signs. Your money isn't badly spent though, as if you get a new engine from Mazda, they will re-use all of that stuff anyway, transferring it to your new engine. It won't be wasted.

^...............didn't want to go that far yet either! :)
Yeah...............people say you need a swivel socket, but I don't. I just use sort of simliar to what you did.....various combo's and it isn't hard at all. He says he's never flooded(good sign) and has 35k, so I was not going to mention low compression yet as 35k is about coil time, and we don't know about how long plugs have been in there. Let's hope that fixes it, if not then it's on to what model number starter, the CAT, and of course.....compression check.

Yeah, my motor is probably gone. Lots of little issues that had failing compression as a possible cause, and it clinched it in my head when it took me 3 tries to start when warm after filling up on gas. Everything lined up at that point, all pointing at failing compression. Got a compression test scheduled Tuesday morning. It was perfectly health until my cat failure back in December that you may remember, so guessing that the inability to evacuate the exhaust gasses overstressed one or more of the seals.

That's expensive for a four plug install. Last set (sparkplugs.com) cost $92 shipped. $1 for some anti-seize goo and about an hour of my time and done. And while a swivel/wobble socket isnt necessary, a long extension is really helpful. I use both and the job is cake.

I replace my plugs and coils every year (approx. 18K mi.) but thats me. My car likes me for it.

If you have a jack and basic hand tools you can save yourself a few bucks.
Here's the link to the spark plug replacement DIY. I've followed this each time I've changed my plugs.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...rk+plug+change

Pull the driver's side wheel and the job takes maybe 20-30 minutes.

BHR has plugs for $80 shipped to the lower 48 states.

http://blackhaloracing.com/products-...gine/ignition/

Thanks for the responses, all. looks like my dealer is marking up the plugs anywhere from 80%-120%...which is not good! i've changed plugs once before, on a straightforward I-4 engine.
Pretty sure the trailing plugs on there are factory original; with the leading plugs changed per the TSB/recall at around 8K miles.

I'll need to read up again on this whole Compression issue :suspect:
during that TSB service, they did do a compression check and it was deemed ok at the time.

you can change the plugs without lifting up the car. turn the wheel all the way to the right and with a socket and extensions you can remove all the plugs. I saw Easy E1 do this half a dozen times at the dyno day last week.

He also had 3 or 4 long extensions.

Take it to your local rotary dealer.

Cost problem resolved

he had two

Guys: F**K Me and my luck! Last night I went out to dinner with the wife; after dinner, on the way home, stopped for gas. Car would not restart *at all* @ the gas station! First time *ever* the car has not started on me with no more than 2 attempts of twisting the key. after about 5 total attempts, I decided to let the car cool off and save the battery/starter from abuse. pushed it off to one of the parking spots @ the station, and we walkeda across the street to a coffee shop.

30 minutes passes, came back, tried it again. nothing on first attempt. 2nd attempt, it stumbles, wheezes, and catches! drove home with no further incident. haven't tried re-starting yet.

Seems like this is more than just the plugs at this point, doesn't it?? possibly the coils, as was mentioned above. Any known issues w/ this car around failing Coolant Temp Sensors? in my previous VAG vehicles, this was a bugaboo that would make itself known during hot-restart attempts also (and thankfully was a relatively easy/cheap fix)

Schedule a compression check. That is what happened to me that solidified my opinion of failing compression, though I got mine restarted on 3rd attempt

I got a price in Canada at my local Mazda Stealership to replace plugs, wires and coils, I supply the parts $90.00. 100.00 U.S. seem high just for labor!

replacing the spark plugs is only like a 20 minute job with the right tools

^

jack the car up.
remove the tire.
remove the spark plugs.
plug in the new spark plugs
put the tire back on.
put the car down.

Check out the "Zoom Zoom Cleaner" decarboning procedure. Do it before you change your plugs, that way you don't foul your new plugs. It's relatively easy and inexpensive, and may loosen some carbon that could be hurting your compression. Still do the plugs and coils, imo.

Hi Guys!


Sorry to ask this dumb question, but I am in need of help.

My 2006 Rx8's check engine light came on recently, during a 900 mile drive (from Portland, to Los Angeles), starting to go on about halfway during the trip (and remained on until I arrived in LA).

I brought it into the dealership, and they ran a diagnostic.

They told me that the compression test came out OK.
They said that my spark plugs need to be replaced, along with an air filter.

They mentioned that "the price for the sparkplugs will be 550.00. Furthermore, because the car is 20,100 miles, warranty does not cover the spark plugs. However, we can work on the price a little".

There is just no way I can afford this money at this time. I live in LA, can anyone recommend anything?

Also, the only other symptom my car has, is that sometimes, I have a very minor trouble starting the car (there is a slight hesitation at times).

Does this have anything to do with the spark plugs?

BTW - I unfortunately drive the car like a grandpa. I just drive very short distances in heavy LA traffic to school and back home everyday...

My last question: If I ruined my engine, how much will it cost for a brand new one, including labor?

Thanks

Holy crap.

Seriously, please just do this.
Buy the plugs online, $80 FOR ALL 4, and throw the invoice in their fraking face.
$550 for 4 spark plugs.. WOW.

And if you really need an air filter, which I doubt, you can get a K&N Panel Filter for $50 and that will last the lifetime of the car.

http://blackhaloracing.com/products-...-heat-ranges4/ $80 for all 4 spark plugs you need.

Let me guess what the dealership gonna say :

"That is not Mazda plugs ! It will cause problems with your car!"

ohhhh this is gonna be cool

"MAZDA DOES NOT RECOMMEND THIS!"

in ur face ! :lol:

Enamel - did they tell you what the code was? If so, post it and folks here will be able to advise you further.

You have a 100,000 mile warranty on the engine. You didn't ruin it...if it goes bad it's on Mazda.

Buy a set of plugs for $80 like others have said. There's a DIY on how to change plugs. If you have zero mechanical skills, find a friend who does and get them to help. Or find a decent garage and pay to have it done. They'll charge an hour labor, but you'll still be way ahead of the dealer.

There's also a DIY on changing the air filter. It's not all that obvious, and not like the owner's manual says it is. Poke into the DIY enough to find the link to Expo1's video...real easy after you watch that.

Ken

Enamel, since you're in Los Angeles, find a get-together and go there with your car, meet and talk to some of the people from this forum, and I'm sure someone will volunteer to help you install spark plugs and air filter.

Air filter takes some muscle to push that fucker back. LOL. I hate doing it because I virtually pull a hamstring every time.

Yes their are nice locals everywhere. The guys around here help me all the time when I have mechanical issues. It is always a good time to learn how to do easy maintenance on you car. It will save you tons of money in the future.

ArXate I totally agree that air filter box is a pain to push back. My back always hurts for a few hours afterwards. Again though worth the money to do it yourself.