05 hemi, check eng. light on, new plugs
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Amateur
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 38
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From: Palestine, IL
05 hemi, check eng. light on, new plugs
My truck rolled over 39,400 miles last week and the engine light came on. I made a trip to town and at low speeds (30-35 mph) it was surging/loping and actually died 2 times at stoplights. My gas mileage has went down the last few weeks, so I knew it was time to do something.
I decided I'd try a set of spark plugs before taking it to the dealer. I bought Autolite platinums at Walmart for $4.17 per 2 pack. $4.17 X 8 = $33.36. 4 of the packs had $2 mail in rebates on them, so I ended up with all the plugs for $25.36 plus tax.
After I got home and let the engine cool down,I got serious about getting those plugs changed. With a 1/4" air ratchet, 3/8" air ratchet, and 1/2" impact wrench (for the 4 nuts inside that hold the brake booster), I had the plugs changed in about 1.5 hours and consumed just slightly less than 6 beers.
I fired it up, no more check engine light, more throttle response than before, and hopefully my mileage will go back up to 15mpg (or more) like before. I had really been skeptical about the need to change plugs at 30K miles, but mostly was dreading changing them more than anything.
I can honestly say it wasn't too bad of a job. Taking an extra 10 minutesto removethe master cylinder and power booster made a daunting task very easy and well worth it - with those items still in place, I don't know how anyone could get to the back 4 plugs and have any religion or beer left.
I decided I'd try a set of spark plugs before taking it to the dealer. I bought Autolite platinums at Walmart for $4.17 per 2 pack. $4.17 X 8 = $33.36. 4 of the packs had $2 mail in rebates on them, so I ended up with all the plugs for $25.36 plus tax.
After I got home and let the engine cool down,I got serious about getting those plugs changed. With a 1/4" air ratchet, 3/8" air ratchet, and 1/2" impact wrench (for the 4 nuts inside that hold the brake booster), I had the plugs changed in about 1.5 hours and consumed just slightly less than 6 beers.
I fired it up, no more check engine light, more throttle response than before, and hopefully my mileage will go back up to 15mpg (or more) like before. I had really been skeptical about the need to change plugs at 30K miles, but mostly was dreading changing them more than anything.
I can honestly say it wasn't too bad of a job. Taking an extra 10 minutesto removethe master cylinder and power booster made a daunting task very easy and well worth it - with those items still in place, I don't know how anyone could get to the back 4 plugs and have any religion or beer left.
RE: 05 hemi, check eng. light on, new plugs
If you get a 3/8" swivel head plug socket from craftsman, you'll be able to do the whole job in about the same time with an additional 2" and 6" extension without removing the brake booster, and just using the simple hand tools.Did you check your plug wires too?
ORIGINAL: Road Warrior
My truck rolled over 39,400 miles last week and the engine light came on. I made a trip to town and at low speeds (30-35 mph) it was surging/loping and actually died 2 times at stoplights. My gas mileage has went down the last few weeks, so I knew it was time to do something.
I decided I'd try a set of spark plugs before taking it to the dealer. I bought Autolite platinums at Walmart for $4.17 per 2 pack. $4.17 X 8 = $33.36. 4 of the packs had $2 mail in rebates on them, so I ended up with all the plugs for $25.36 plus tax.
After I got home and let the engine cool down,I got serious about getting those plugs changed. With a 1/4" air ratchet, 3/8" air ratchet, and 1/2" impact wrench (for the 4 nuts inside that hold the brake booster), I had the plugs changed in about 1.5 hours and consumed just slightly less than 6 beers.
I fired it up, no more check engine light, more throttle response than before, and hopefully my mileage will go back up to 15mpg (or more) like before. I had really been skeptical about the need to change plugs at 30K miles, but mostly was dreading changing them more than anything.
I can honestly say it wasn't too bad of a job. Taking an extra 10 minutesto removethe master cylinder and power booster made a daunting task very easy and well worth it - with those items still in place, I don't know how anyone could get to the back 4 plugs and have any religion or beer left.
My truck rolled over 39,400 miles last week and the engine light came on. I made a trip to town and at low speeds (30-35 mph) it was surging/loping and actually died 2 times at stoplights. My gas mileage has went down the last few weeks, so I knew it was time to do something.
I decided I'd try a set of spark plugs before taking it to the dealer. I bought Autolite platinums at Walmart for $4.17 per 2 pack. $4.17 X 8 = $33.36. 4 of the packs had $2 mail in rebates on them, so I ended up with all the plugs for $25.36 plus tax.
After I got home and let the engine cool down,I got serious about getting those plugs changed. With a 1/4" air ratchet, 3/8" air ratchet, and 1/2" impact wrench (for the 4 nuts inside that hold the brake booster), I had the plugs changed in about 1.5 hours and consumed just slightly less than 6 beers.
I fired it up, no more check engine light, more throttle response than before, and hopefully my mileage will go back up to 15mpg (or more) like before. I had really been skeptical about the need to change plugs at 30K miles, but mostly was dreading changing them more than anything.
I can honestly say it wasn't too bad of a job. Taking an extra 10 minutesto removethe master cylinder and power booster made a daunting task very easy and well worth it - with those items still in place, I don't know how anyone could get to the back 4 plugs and have any religion or beer left.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,739
Likes: 8
From: MD
RE: 05 hemi, check eng. light on, new plugs
So far from what I've seen, its either copper or iridium. I've got iridiums (didn't pay full price for those bad boys, thank god...) and coupled with the Taylor shorties makes for a smooth strong runner.
Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 518
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From: Regina, SK
RE: 05 hemi, check eng. light on, new plugs
i put ngk iridiums in mine and drove it for about 10,000km and then the truck started running like crap, took them out and a few of them had the ends burnt right off so i went back to copper plugs, and never had a problem since
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Amateur
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 38
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From: Palestine, IL
Wow, it's been a while since I did much posting here, but to update my situation on the above problem, it wasn't the plugs.
After I changed the plugs, things were good for about 3 days and then the problem came up again. I took it to the dealership, they diagnosed it as a bad egr valve. $140 later, she ran like a champ.
Now, over 2 1/2 years and 40,000 miles, it still runs great, and still has the platinim plugs I put in it. Gas mileage is around 14 city, and highway about 18-19 most times, always using 87 octane.
After I changed the plugs, things were good for about 3 days and then the problem came up again. I took it to the dealership, they diagnosed it as a bad egr valve. $140 later, she ran like a champ.
Now, over 2 1/2 years and 40,000 miles, it still runs great, and still has the platinim plugs I put in it. Gas mileage is around 14 city, and highway about 18-19 most times, always using 87 octane.