Spark Plugs At 30k ?

a2jack · 10-10-2009, 08:23 AM

All of our Japanese cars have run at least 40k on a set of plugs. (All except our 2 stroke Subaru that is.)

We are now nearing 30k on the Smart and it will need to go in for service next month. We are looking at a biggie, $300 pop.

Will the plugs go another 10k? What are you guys seeing? What do you think? A2Jack

Padawan · 10-10-2009, 08:35 AM

What is the list of work being performed for $600?

The recommended 30,000 service is only cabin air filter, oil/filter change, and spark plugs, plus some very basic inspections.

You can do this in an afternoon in your driveway with basic tools and around $100 in parts.

a2jack · 10-10-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padawan

What is the list of work being performed for $600?

The recommended 30,000 service is only cabin air filter, oil/filter change, and spark plugs, plus some very basic inspections.

You can do this in an afternoon in your driveway with basic tools and around $100 in parts.

My bad. The $600 is for the Valve adjust at 60k. This one is only $300

Thanks for heads up. I changed post to read $300 per dealer price sheet.

Can't do the work myself, this time around, so my plan is to train my local mechanic to start doing the smart, but I don't want to start him off on the tricky Smart plug job. I will bring it to him first for oil and cabin filters. Then to Smart for the plugs and inspection.

Have you pulled your plugs yet? How did they look? A2Jack

fredbrentjr · 10-10-2009, 10:03 AM

I changed mine out for the iridiums just because. The stock plugs looked fine. The procedure is pretty straight forward and simple with the exception of the extreem right (#3?) cylinder COP. It comes out ok but it's a ***** to get at the retaining bolt because of 2 hoses in the way. It (the bolt) was difficult to get back in also; wierd angle and ham hocks for hands.

**Wdhitch** · 10-10-2009, 10:52 AM

I changed them at 30,000 and and I'm planning on doing it again at 60,000 here in about a month. The change was easy... if you have access to a lift or jack and can get the rear up in the air so the engine falls away you'll have plenty of room.

As to your question about the state of the plugs, they weren't horrible but they were ready to be replaced. I drive Dracha pretty hard here in the heat of central Florida so it may be different up there in the cold north.

SmartDigger · 10-10-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wdhitch

I changed them at 30,000 and and I'm planning on doing it again at 60,000 here in about a month. The change was easy... if you have access to a lift or jack and can get the rear up in the air so the engine falls away you'll have plenty of room.

Are you saying the engine moves down when you jack up the car?

Bum-bling-B · 10-10-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmartDigger

Are you saying the engine moves down when you jack up the car?

That's what he's saying. I changed mine at around 23k just for the heck of it and was able to do it without jacking it up (reason I replaced them is I like seeing how things come apart and go back together).