How much would a shop charge me

[Detectorist]

to change out my spark plugs. There is no way I can do them myself. Don't have the tools or the space. Any estimates or stories would be most helpful!

John

[chemist]

I just had the displeasure of doing that last night. What I can tell you is this. To do it yourself,
* go through the wheel wells.
* A claw hammer (for nails) works great to pull the plastic/rubber shielding off, and a mallet easiy puts it back.
* A spark plug puller (the kind that grabs like a tube, not the bent pliers kind)--a pair of regular pliers will work too.
* You also need a 5/8 inch deep well socket or spark plug socket with extensions. A universal helps too.

Here's a tip, look at the driver side to compare it to the passenger side. Check my post here: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2539

If you have a piece of body blocking you on the driver's side like on mine, pay whatever you get charged to have it done.

[Detectorist]

It doesn't look like I can do it. If I'm not mistaken the tires have to come off, right?

[WVKayaker]

Cap, Rotor, Plugs, Wires, Clean TBI, fuel filter, cost me about $400 at a local shop

[kings-x59]

$400?, wow, thanks for reminding me of why I do this myself.

[SoCalli V8]

Do it yourself and save hundred$ of dollar$...... There are plenty of kind folks here to help you out with the proceedure....

[Detectorist]

Hmmm... there are a couple of places around here where I can rent time on a hydraulic lift..... labor for this is way to expensive...

[ihatemybike]

$400 Makes me glad I do all that stuff myself.

Rent time on a lift? Your van's stock jack and a set of jack stanks will do the job just fine.

[Kidhauler]

You do not need to pull the wheels. A basic set of sockets will do the trick you dont need special pullers either. you just need a set of wheel ramps or jack stands. If you have a old plug wire use the cap to start threading the new plug in the hole. A short piece of rubber hose will also work as it will let the plug flex and find the threads without cross threading.

It Isn't a hard job my 14 year old did the plugs last time to learn. If you go from the bottom and thru the wheel well over the frame and under the body it is not difficult and should only take a hour or two depending on your talent level. I would honestly let my wife do the job and she has never worked on a car.

[astronut74]

Heck, I don't even jack the van up when I change out the plugs and wires. I just crawl under the van and get dirty!
Like was said, a basic socket set, with a few different extentions (wobble extensions are great for this).
The tip about the rubber hose for installing the plugs is invaluble. 1, it allows you a little extra reach to get the plugs in, and 2, it's almost impossible to cross thread the plugs when using it.

[loopie]

Another vote for DIY...it really isn't that bad...just make sure you've found your happy place in your head and are calm going into it
If you must hire it out...the key is finding a tech who's done it before and realizes that it's only a 1 - 1.5hr job. Techs that haven't worked on vans before are terrified of them and overcharge/estimate.