What are the signs of a spark plug tune up?

Question

I have a 2000 Dodge StratusES V6 2.5L Engine and my engine light came on. So i bought the car to Auto Zone to get free check engine light help(engine diagnostic). The reading came back as cylinder 1,2,3,4,5,6 has all misfire. Saying something was wrong with my spark plugs. But here is the twist II bouugh the car to Speedee Oil Change and Tune Up and they told me I have a rare engine where only three spark plugs are in front and the other 3 are behind the engine and they would need to take the top off of my engine to service the other 3 spark plugs.Cost $275.00 for a job i was originally told was going to be $45.99 including spark plugs. The guy that does the tune-ups came and looked at the spark plugs and said he don't see any defects like they need to be replaced. Does this sound about right as far as price concerned? What are the signs of a spark plug tune?

Answer 1

I think you refer to the P0300 Random misfire codes ---this "may" be plugs but "may not" -- This can be anything causing a misfire - plugs, plug wires or COPs, vacuum leak, injector, etc

I see plugs last a minimum of 30K on a "normal" engine ---usally 50 K

Answer 2

First, rely on your Dodge car owner's manual. It tells you when to change the spark plugs. However, even if the manual says to change them at 100,000 miles, I would change them now if your having engine performance problems (like a misfire). Since your Chrysler dealer isn't charging more for replacing the spark plugs, I would have the work done at the dealer's shop. Also, if you have spark plug wires (not all cars do), replace them also if your dealer says you should. An ignition misfire is worse when going up hills. That's when the engine has the most difficulty firing the plugs (under heavy load).
A sign of plug misfire is when you accelerate and notice the engine shaking with a loss of power, especially when your going up hills.
On some front wheel drive cars, it's much easier to change the spark plugs near the firewall by first removing the intake manifold, especially if it's a Coil Over Plug (COP) type engine that doesn't have plug wires. One advantage of removing the intake manifold is that you can also have "induction" service done at the same time to clean the carbon deposits from intake passages such as the EGR valve etc.

Answer 3

Sounds a little fishy to me. I don't know where the spark plugs on that car are, but I highly doubt you'd need to "take the top off the engine".....that usually refers to accessing the cylinders or changing the head gasket.

If I was you, I'd buy the Hayes or Chilton mechanical book first. That'll tell you how to access the spark plugs.

If you have a misfire on all cylinders, it really could be anything; plugs, wires, coil, fuel injectors, stuck valves, etc. Also, I'd go somewhere else to get the computer code read again and get the code numbers. Try an online Dodge Forum like this one to help---- http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/

Answer 4

$45 sounds better than 275. With spark plugs you wouldn't SEE any defects unless you took kthe plugs out. and you cannot tune up spark plugs you would need to replace them. So just get them changed. and on that year vehicle you would not need to remove the "top" of the engine just reach back in behind with your lplug remover. changing spark plugs is probably one of the easier jobs you could do on a car. So easy you could save money just doing it yourself

Answer 5

The spark plugs normally last well over 50,000 miles
For all to be bad could only be caused by some other engine problem.
Take it to a Dodge dealer

Answer 6

feels like the timing have been given tousled or you blended up the wires. you should work out if the distributor cap grow to be grew to become around once you replaced the wires, you are able to mark it with a pen the place it sits now and then slowly rotate it a speedy on an identical time as its working and notice if it runs greater powerful. additionally you should analyze to verify the wires are suitable. there must be a diagram decrease than the hood depicting the firing order. in case you have the type one cord going to the type 2 cylinder this could be it. and it runs when you consider which you have maximum suitable yet perchance a pair incorrect and this could clarify this as properly. attempt those issues as by way of your description it fairly is likely the two issues that could have surpassed off and it wont cost any funds to objective the two

Answer 7

well i would suggest you check spark plugs and if your plugs are good than your plug wires are bad, but without knowing the shape of the 3 plugs in back than you need to change them out. first find out if the motor can be pulled forward because i had a car that you can pull the motor forwrd to change plugs so replace both and save time and money. check around for a reasonable mechanice first.