I should be ashamed to admit it, I think, but after 5.5 years and 65k miles, I've never had my plugs changed. I've been searching and reading and, frankly, it sounds like a bitch of a job. I saw one post, I think from another site, that said it could be a 4 or 5 hour job. Is that right? And I've seen many threads that say it should be done every 30k miles. Is that correct?

Anyway, any chance there is a comprehensive DIY for this posted somewhere? Or would anyone be willing to share some experience and details on it such as the right tools? I have socket wrenches and regular and deep sockets and I have a decent torque wrench (ft. lbs only) but it looks like I'd be needing some extensions or extra pieces to be able to get to some of the plugs - what would I need specfically? And I've seen it posted that basic run of the mill plugs are best. Anyone have a brand and part number for the hemi to recommend? Also saw it mentioned to clean/replace PCV and clean TB as well. Any other suggestions?

I'm not a mechanic but I've changed plugs before and things like that but never on anything that was a big job. Should I just have a shop do it? Seems like the labor cost would be extensive.

 

It is a long job because there are 16 plugs and the back ones are a pain in butt to get to. It should be done ever 30k and replaced with Champion or NGK coppers. I have 17 month old twin boys and when I got home from deployment a few months ago, I paid to have it done because time with the twins was much more important but it is a hob you can do yourself.

 

i did my 30k change a couple months ago (at 28k miles). peice of cake, just time consuming. your favorite two things are gonna be a swivel socket and a rubber hose to attach on the end of the new plug to get it started.

the hardest plugs to get to are the rear 4 on the driver side. they're tough because of the giant brake booster. with a swivel socket you should be good. pretty straight forward job, just time consuming. took me 4 hrs

also, another recommendation is one of those extendable magnets (looks like a retracting pen with a magnet on the end). they're like .99 at the store. make sure to use anti-seize on the threads as well.

 

my roomate and i just recently did his....took us about 2 hours....but i had the passanger side and he had the driver so that cuts the time in half. the 4 as AF HEMI stated on the driver side, under the brake booster is a complete PITA......you kinda look at it at first and scratch your head as to how the hell your gonna get those out.....but he somehow managed to get them out lol.....i didnt do the driver side....so i cant provide any tips...sorry

 

Body lift that bad boy and then you will have no problems with the booster!!

 

Do two easy plugs at the front of the engine, to get your "eye in" and know what to expect.
Then, tackle the plugs on the drivers side underneath the brake booster while your still fresh.
After those 4 plugs, you know that everything is downhill from there.
Al.

 

There's a writeup in the DIY section of DT that shows some pictures/steps/instructions.

 

Thats right! And you can get the back bolts off the valve covers if you want to also!

But when I did mine I just used a 3/8 rachet, a 3" extension, a 3/8 swivel and a standard 5/8 spark plug socket. I never had any issues.

You need a 10mm socket to get the coils off BTW.

 

I changed my plugs about 3k ago. I'm not a mechanic by any means, basically only having done some general parts replacement and oil changes, etc.

It probably took me at least 4 hours. However, now that I've done them once, I think it would go a little faster next time. I ended up using 2 swivels at some points. And yes, the brake booster is a pain.

When I was finished, I certainly had a good feeling of accomplishment (especially since it started....). Fortunately, I don't put many miles on my truck, so I shouldn't have to change the plugs again for many years!

joe

 

Weed, thanks and forgive my ignorance, but why do I need to remove the coils? I have a 10mm socket and a 10mm wrench so I'm good there but help me out with the coils please.

LinerJoe, I know what you mean about the feeling of accomplishment. I've experienced this many times with my Harley as I've done things I never thought I'd have the nerve or ability to do like taking apart the rear end just to put a chrome sprocket cover on or disassembling the front end and reassembling with chrome parts. I'm not a trained mechanic, I work with computers everyday. But I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty if I have a good idea of what needs to be done and how to do it. However, with all that said, I'd never have thought I'd be expecting any special feeling of accomplishment from a half day spark plug change, but now I think I would. I have a couple of neighbors that are pretty mechanically inclined that just happen to also like to share mass quantities of cold adult beverages every weekend. So, I might enlist some help on this job.

I don't put that many miles on my truck either. But I'd like to keep it for 4 more years and give it to my son. So I better start crackin on getting the plugs changed because it sounds like it should have been done twice already and it never has.