changing sparkplugs?

[runrabbit]

Got some NGK's for my '98 WRX.

Was getting a regular service from a mechanic and asked how much to fit the plugs at the same time. He said it was a big job, (understandable - boxer, hard to get to for sure), ok so how much?? .. but then he said 6hrs work! WTF.

What's the go with doing them myself? How much of the car do u have to pull apart to change the plugs.

Does anyone have a quick write up on the process? What to undo, and move aside??

Any help is much appreciated. - cheers team in advance.

[madmike]

 runrabbit said:

Got some NGK's for my '98 WRX.

Was getting a regular service from a mechanic and asked how much to fit the plugs at the same time. He said it was a big job, (understandable - boxer, hard to get to for sure), ok so how much?? .. but then he said 6hrs work! WTF.

What's the go with doing them myself? How much of the car do u have to pull apart to change the plugs.

Does anyone have a quick write up on the process? What to undo, and move aside??

Any help is much appreciated. - cheers team in advance.

If your mech says that it will take 6hours to do your sparkplugs I WOULD TAKE YOUR CAR SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!

Seriously dude it is not a 5 min job but it is no way 6 hours

[swiftbrad]

yea my mech said around 3 hours and while he's there gonna do other stuff like gaskets and sh*t

[dimin]

Haha 6 hours what the hell : Im no mechanic and last time it took me half an hour or so, and thats with coil on plug too, yours would be just plug leads so easier stil.

[Guest]

Serioulsy do it a few times, and you can do it in about 20mins! whip off you pod/filter box, and afm (couple of hose clamps) pop you leads off, for ease i whip out the washer bottle which is couple of 10mm bolts. Then its a matter of having the right tools, i have a spark plug socket taped to a small extension which is perfect for getting down there, i have it taped because it can be a pain when you get the plug undone the socket quite often comes off as you pull it out and gets alitte fustrating. 6hrs is a royal joke, go somewhere else! or have a go yourself

Where are you??

[driftrex]

lol who the hell is your mechanic?

[funkytown]

 driftrex said:

lol who the hell is your mechanic?

lol totally name and shame

[driftrex]

 funkytown']

[quote name='driftrex said:

lol who the hell is your mechanic?

/quote]

lol totally name and shame

yea i reckon, i suspect maybe it wouldnt take him 6 hours (and he knows it) rather he wants to charge for 6 hours labour to make a good profit.

common practice for alot (not all) of mechanics to do that, i know of certain places that hold a car all day even though the job might only take an hour, just so that they can justify the hours charged.

sux really.

[funkytown]

or - its being a "slightly" PITA job they are either taking the piss to do it.. or the customer knows it'd take much less than 6h and take it else where saving that mech doing the job.

[nztintin]

or the mechanics never done it before on a subaru, heard it's an arse of a job and is just covering his arse incase it does take him 6hrs.

[gazzy2000]

yer, its one of those jobs that ya do a couple of three times and you then become a guru.

Maybe get someone to show you the tricks the first time round wud help, otherwise it can be a head fark figuring it out yr self

But really, anyone who can swing a spanner (specially if they do it for a living) can do it easy as!!

[Guest]

First time I did it, it took me an hour and a half and that is with a 1/2" drive socket set which is a little big to get in there.

From what I've heard, Subaru commonly quote an hour of labour.

Just do it yourself or find someone in the club to give you a hand

[runrabbit]

For sure, i will be doing it myself.

There was a bit of banter in his voice, but when u're asking effectively for a quote - if he's going to come back with 6hrs, then he's just lost himself a job.

cheers for the replies and advice.