spark plug change and gasket?

Howdy Taco folks,

I purchased my 08 taco 4x4 V6 2 months ago. It qualified for the free frame replacement, so i had that done and just got my truck back. The dealership quoted me for $1,600 worth of optional maintenance/repairs after replacing the frame.

They wanted about $215 for spark plugs to be replaced...i thought that was outrageous. So i did some online research and it looks like something i should be able to do myself.

My question to anyone who has replaced spark plugs on a 4.0 taco before... Do you need to also replace a gasket when you change spark plugs? The dealership said that there is a gasket that needs to be changed as well when the plugs are changed. They did not specify which gasket but after doing a little online digging i assume they were talking about the valve cover gasket?

Am i okay to just replace the plugs without this gasket? If anyone could shed some light onto this, that would be greatly appreciated!

thanks in advance!

 

Depends on if the valve cover gasket is leaking oil down into the spark plug tubes. If not then all you need to replace are the spark plugs.

 

Sounds like they are full of shit

 

Other simple stuff you can do yourself: check/replace the PCV valve, clean MAF, throttle body, air filter.

 

I've never paid for a plug change, so I really don't know, but when you consider that todays hourly rate in many places is over $100 an hour, the price you've been quoted does not seem to be that strange.

 

It's the tube seals. And you may find one leaking. If it leaks it will flood the plug and you wont get spark. I had slight oil on one and just replaced the plug a d haven't had any issues.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll inspect them and see what condition they are in and if oil is leaking

 

changing plugs is very easy to do. Make sure you have some socket extensions.

Unless the head gasket is leaking, no need to change the gasket.

Tip: use some electrical tape to secure the socket to the socket extensions. Also, I think the torque of the plugs is only 15psi, so don't strip them.

 

Although the spark plug change is functionality simple; take care it is an aluminum head.

 

Could be valve cover gaskets, if the tube seals are leaking into the spark plug tubes, or just as preventative maintenance I guess, although I don't think they're very prone to failure on this engine.

My guess is they were talking about the upper intake manifold gaskets, as the upper intake hangs over the left bank pretty good, and makes those 3 plugs a bit of a bitch to get to. I did mine at my house with my (former professional mechanic) tools, I wouldn't want to try it with a poorly stocked tool box, but they're very possible to replace with the intake still on. But some techs like to whine if there's *anything* in the way, and some writers/advisers like to just quote gaakets if there's any chance of having to take the intake off. Some engines legit just don't have the space and you have to take the upper intake off.

 

I recently paid to have mine done. About $160. I agree it isn't that hard to do, but I didn't want to deal with the tight access on the driver's side.

The service advisor might be quoting you 3rd gen prices, the new 3.5 V6 requires the upper intake to come off to reach the plugs, at least from what I have read on here.

 

If the dealership is quoting you $215 for changing spark plugs and gasket, it’s not a bad deal.
I would ask what gasket(s) they’re changing though.