So it's been 30k miles and I need to replace the plugs in order to keep up my lifetime extended warranty. I've already made my peace with it... But before I get started, does anyone care to walk through it with me and give me some pointers? I want to baby this truck and make sure I do it the right way...

Thanks in advance,
-Matt

 

The truck is a 2009 5.7L Hemi with the Laramie trim.

 

Spark plugs are pretty straight forward. I think you'll have to remove the plastic manifold cover on the top...

Do one plug at a time, and be careful with the coil pack clips as they are plastic and like to break easily. Make sure you torque down the plugs to spec as these are aluminum heads, so if you go a little over board, you can easily strip a thread out.

Use factory coppers as the 5.7 motor seems to like those better than other metals such as the platinum craze. Take either some canned air or use your air hose to blow out the area around the plug prior to removal so you wont be dropping any dust or dirt down into the heads.

Apply some anti seize to the new plugs as you install them so that they will come out a little easier on the next change.

Other than that, I'd say you'd be good to go. Oh, check the gaps on the plugs before too. Most plug makers are not consistent when it comes to the gap on new plugs. Can't quite remember what the gap spec is for this motor, but it should be under the hood some where or in your manual.

Good luck!

 

p.s. with aluminum heads, you are always better off changing the plugs when the head is totally cold.

 

Check out post #7 for a tool list.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/4th-gen...-for-hemi.html

Its a real pain changing the plugs in the Hemi, especially the rear set on the passenger side

 

I have 38k on my 09 Hemi 5.7. Runs like the day I picked her up. I understand the manual says every 30k, but realistically, shouldn't we be able to get a lot more mileage out of a set of plugs? I had 100k plugs on my Chevy - changed 'em at 80k for the heck of it. Trust me, I'm all for regular maintenance, this just seems a bit overboard? I see guys posting they're changing out plugs at 30k and don't see any wear them. I'll be doing mine soon I guess. Anyone else feel this way or am I outta line and should stick to the manual??!!

 

Since yours is a 09 (like mine), the only issue I have is if you plan to keep the truck a long time or past the basic warrenty coverage, you may be throwing away the lifetime warrenty by not following the schedule of 30k on any issue that could be plug related.

 

Thanks Mike - I do plan on keeping this thing for a damn long time and guess I'll just suck it up and replace them. It'll be interesting to see what kind wear they have on them. I'll post an update if it's anything worthy.

Anyone have any specific brands they would recommend ... or to stay away from? Sounds like copper is better than platinum? Any other suggestions??

Thanks!

 

I have 83,000 on a 09 . I run platniums when i replaced them . I had a code come up on # 7 cyl with 45,000 on the plugs . I switched 2 plugs for new ones and away we went. Each to there own . The service advisor was really helpful trying to figure the code out [7 diff. items]. He said the plats[not dble plats ] would work as long as they did not throw a code. Most of the time when install new they throw a code real quick .

 

The SRT8 engines come with platt plugs, and my last set of oem copper champion plugs I put in my 06 hemi had a 2 year unlimited mileage claim on the box.
( US. packageing )

Dodge is the exception in the market place running copper plugs in aluim heads, could be the 2 plugs per cylinder run hotter and copper is the cheaper way to go.

Platt plugs in a aluim head last up to 150,000 km + , so I don't buy into the fear platt plugs are going to seaze into the head, 2 sparks per cylinder are not new, nissan back in the 80's had the same lay out in a 4 cy.

if you have the correct heat range thiers no differance in the temp betwean copper and platt..

You have to dance the dodge dance if you want to keep up your warenty, so your only option is oem plugs.

I'm of warrenty and next sparky change Coppers are not a option, Coppers hardly last 40,000 km on of a set of plugs.

platt plugs are oem in the stronger SRT engines.