If a shop damages spark plug threads....who pays?

[Palut]

If one takes one's car to a shop to have the plugs changed, and the mechanic finds that they're seized and damages the plugs on removal, who pays for that repair? Is it on the shops dime, or does the customer have to pay?

I ask because I've always changed my own plugs. I've never paid anyone to do it. I recently bought a car with 64k miles that came with platinum plugs. They weren't recommended to be changed until 75k miles, and now they're stuck. I can't get the plugs to turn, and don't want to damage the threads.

I've decided to take it to a shop that I trust, but I want to know how this situation is customarily handled.

Thanks guys.

 

[Cutehumor]

I had a similar situation back in 2000. I had a the Toyota dealership do a tune up. One spark plug broke off then gave me some kind of story about how I needed a $2000 engine rebuild. Usually if the threads are damaged, you can use a helicoil kit?

 

[Panzerman]

More than likely the shop is going to try to get them out as you did and when they strip them of have to repair the threads due to damage, its going to on you. About two years ago this happened to me on a spindle on a four wheel drive and the garage claimed it was severe corroison and not thier fault. they do alot of dis-honest stuff and get away with it, this being something that can honestly happen and you are going to pay. Once they have your car, you are at thier mercy. I would hose the plugs down with pb blaster everynite for about a week and try it the following weekend. Chances are you will get them out. Make sure you anti-sieze the next set.

 

[DieselTech]

Shop pays!!

Shouldn't be an issue for the dealer to get them out. Especially if it's a foctory plug in it. Antisieze on plugs these days is a must

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Ask who's doing the job who pays - and get it in writing. I would just leave the plugs in there though if you have no misfire. What year and make and engine? Try removing them hot and replacing them cold.

 

[DieselTech]

it's all repairable. In all my years at ford and MANY broken plugs and stripped threads the customer NEVER paid for a repair as long as the plugs were factory installed or done by a dealer previously which is not very common. I personally never had a customer pay reguardless.

 

[JimPghPA]

Originally Posted By: Panzerman
More than likely the shop is going to try to get them out as you did and when they strip them of have to repair the threads due to damage, its going to on you. About two years ago this happened to me on a spindle on a four wheel drive and the garage claimed it was severe corroison and not thier fault. they do alot of dis-honest stuff and get away with it, this being something that can honestly happen and you are going to pay. Once they have your car, you are at thier mercy. I would hose the plugs down with pb blaster everynite for about a week and try it the following weekend. Chances are you will get them out. Make sure you anti-sieze the next set.


+1 on the BP Blaster every night for about a week.

 

[willix]

It's the shop's mistake but fat chance that labor cost doesn't show up in some other fashion. Where are the metal shavings cut from the threaded insert?

 

[expat]

If the plugs are stuck in (and you know it) it's down to you to pay for whatever it takes, or the consequences of, getting them out.
Now if the plugs weren't stuck, and the mechanic stripped the tread putting them back in, That's down the the Shop/Mechanic*

However I once saw a Ford Truck with a Hole in it's hood, After the Dealer did a plug change, one must have stripped. Rather than admit it they let the truck go, 20 mins later BANG!

 

[DieselTech]

early 5.4L had many plugs shootout. Not techs fault, head designs fault.

Take it to the dealer and keep your mouth shut and let them replace the plugs. Trust me they will be expecting them to be stuck

 

[Johnny248]

I see this happen from time to time. Most tech's would say "wow, these two plugs came out fine, this other two plugs are seized and it is either going to break or strip out the threads" In that case, the tech would tell the writer who would most likely tell the tech not to do anything, and then let the customer know that the situation and that they either can not do the job, or that if something happens we can't be responsible.

 

[tomcat27]

let's be straight - the plug is already seized and the threads are already ruined - it's not the fault of the person removing the plugs.

Heli-coil makes ALOT of money on this!!! and they usually work great.

 

[SuperBusa]

Originally Posted By: Palut

I ask because I've always changed my own plugs. I've never paid anyone to do it. I recently bought a car with 64k miles that came with platinum plugs. They weren't recommended to be changed until 75k miles, and now they're stuck. I can't get the plugs to turn, and don't want to damage the threads.

I've decided to take it to a shop that I trust, but I want to know how this situation is customarily handled.

Thanks guys.


It sounds like you've already tried removing a few and feel they are seized in the head.

If that's the case, I would tell the shop you think they are seized and the ASK the manager what happens IF they remove them and the threads get damaged. Don't just take it in and not cover this issue with them before they do the work.

Plus, if the shop is aware that the plugs may be seized up, they might have a few tricks to help get them out knowing that before hand.

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: willix
It's the shop's mistake but fat chance that labor cost doesn't show up in some other fashion. Where are the metal shavings cut from the threaded insert?

Use grease on the tool to cut the threads. It holds the shavings.

 

[DieselTech]

You would be suprised how many would think the threads are messed up, but mostly it's not so true. The tech will soak them before ever starting removal.

We still don't know if it's a cast or alum head yet? They are either going to need to come out now or later the longer the worse it will be. Somethings that people might be scared to do is likely something the tech is not. I have worked with people that work on cars like they are caressing a women....they don't seem to make it long.

 

[DieselTech]

Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Originally Posted By: willix
It's the shop's mistake but fat chance that labor cost doesn't show up in some other fashion. Where are the metal shavings cut from the threaded insert?

Use grease on the tool to cut the threads. It holds the shavings.


I agree!!

 

[Palut]

Thank you all for your responses. The car in question is a 2003 Mazda 6 with the 3.0 V-6 based on Ford's Duratec.

Based on the responses so far my feeling is that I shouldn't try to burden an independent shop with the job. However, since Mazda didn't recommend the plugs to be replaced, or inspected, until 75k, I believe that Mazda should be on the hook in the event that they're siezed.

Based on that, I think I'll take it to the Mazda dealer rather than my local shop. The price is quite similar, and a dealer I just spoke to said they don't think it will be a problem. I'll definitely get the deal in writing so that there are no ugly surprises afterward.

 

[CourierDriver]

Spray the existing plug with rust buster or spray with mmo, it works on everything else,,,,,,,,,,,,lol

 

[DieselTech]

Originally Posted By: Palut
Thank you all for your responses. The car in question is a 2003 Mazda 6 with the 3.0 V-6 based on Ford's Duratec.

Based on the responses so far my feeling is that I shouldn't try to burden an independent shop with the job. However, since Mazda didn't recommend the plugs to be replaced, or inspected, until 75k, I believe that Mazda should be on the hook in the event that they're siezed.

Based on that, I think I'll take it to the Mazda dealer rather than my local shop. The price is quite similar, and a dealer I just spoke to said they don't think it will be a problem. I'll definitely get the deal in writing so that there are no ugly surprises afterward.


If they are factory installed plugs i promise you, you will not be held liable for an issue and frankly I'm quite certain you will find the tech wont have a problem either. Keep us posted

 

[chad8]

My friend the mazda senior tech used to deal with this problem on a weekly basis. If you know what you are doing with air tools and rust buster , it can remove a stuck plug easily. If you don't you strip the head or break the plug. This time take it to the dealer. Look in the shop and ask for the guy with the mazda senior tech master patches on his uniform or ask for the number one senior mazda tech. If the writer makes an excuse or says they are all mazda or asc trained , inform him that you know that every mazda shop has to have a mazda master in the shop(or mazda closes them down) and you only want him to work on your car.