Spark Plug Change

[SL500UK]

AM Independent in Surrey said spark plugs on V8V should be changed at the seventh year service despite my car's 22k mileage. I mentioned the service book suggested they be changed at 70k or 7 years, whichever comes first. Obtained an alternative quote from a main dealer, who appeared much cheaper and confirmed that the spark plugs didn't need changing.

I think this forum also confirmed plugs should changed at 70k?

If so, I find it quite strange why an independent would recommend something be done and AM does not.

[mikey k]

As you say 7 years or 70K which ever is first.
Your dealer is cheaper than the indie because they have taken 8 expensive plug out of the cost.
You need to get a like for like price from each.
If it were my car I'd change them.

[Jockman]

SL500UK said:

AM Independent in Surrey said spark plugs on V8V should be changed at the seventh year service despite my car's 22k mileage. I mentioned the service book suggested they be changed at 70k or 7 years, whichever comes first. Obtained an alternative quote from a main dealer, who appeared much cheaper and confirmed that the spark plugs didn't need changing.

I think this forum also confirmed plugs should changed at 70k?

If so, I find it quite strange why an independent would recommend something be done and AM does not.

I believe in previous threads it was noted that the mileage factor took precedence

Pretty sure Brakedwell made a valid point regarding this.

[Neil1300R]

Strangely enough had a service quote in from a well known AM Independent in Surrey this morning for a 7 year service. Was quoted a price with and without spark plug change.

Won't use a well known AM dealership near to me as have had a massive falling out with them on more than one occasion. Wrote to DP on both occasions. Perhaps I should have involved lawyers

[SL500UK]

Even without the spark plug change from the indie, they were a few hundred quid dearer than the main dealer but they said they do some checks a main dealer would not ordinarily do during a seventh year service. This could either mean that the extra things they do are superfluous or the main dealers might not be doing their job properly.

I see no reason to change the plugs if they're only 30% worn, similarly I would not change my brake pads if there were only 60% worn.

[yeti]

Jockman said:

I believe in previous threads it was noted that the mileage factor took precedence

Just had my 7 year service at Bamford Rose and the plugs were changed even though it's done less than 40k miles. Their new diagnostics kit said there were small misfires and the plugs were to blame - car was far smoother afterwards, it was a good call as we weren't planning on doing it.

Perhaps they recommended the plug change because the plugs should be changed at the 7 year service for a reason..?

[Neil1300R]

I wasn't looking for cheap. Want to deal with a company that wants to look after its customers and not automatically blame the customer if things go wrong.

Quite like the idea that the Indie will clean / lubricate the brake pads, remove brake dust etc.

Not actually used them yet, but they come highly recommended and I actually went to them to get a quote to deal with paint bubbling.

[Jockman]

yeti said:

Just had my 7 year service at Bamford Rose and the plugs were changed even though it's done less than 40k miles. Their new diagnostics kit said there were small misfires and the plugs were to blame - car was far smoother afterwards, it was a good call as we weren't planning on doing it.

Perhaps they recommended the plug change because the plugs should be changed at the 7 year service for a reason..?

Good idea to get them sorted

Interesting that you weren't going to change them on the 7th service until the diagnostics showed an issue

[mikey k]

yeti said:

Just had my 7 year service at Bamford Rose and the plugs were changed even though it's done less than 40k miles. Their new diagnostics kit said there were small misfires and the plugs were to blame - car was far smoother afterwards, it was a good call as we weren't planning on doing it.

Perhaps they recommended the plug change because the plugs should be changed at the 7 year service for a reason..?

Exactly - they don't wear like pads
Heat cycling and build up on the cermamic can cause what you saw

[notsaV8V]

SL500UK said:

AM Independent in Surrey said spark plugs on V8V should be changed at the seventh year service despite my car's 22k mileage. I mentioned the service book suggested they be changed at 70k or 7 years, whichever comes first.

I'm a bit confused with the question. I assume you car is having it's 7 year service which would suggest that you should change the plugs given the service book statement of "whichever comes first". If your car is younger and hasn't done 70k there's no question. If what you are asking is whether the Service Book can be ignored until you have done 70k, I think it's a personal choice - how confident are you that your plugs are all in good condition. If you're going to take them out to inspect them it would probably make sense to put new ones in unless you are on a tight budget. If you decide to leave them, what's the worst that could happen - a progressive misfire?

[mikey k]

notsaV8V said:

SL500UK said:
If you decide to leave them, what's the worst that could happen - a progressive misfire?

A lot worse!
The ceramic breaks up the tips comes off and are evenly distributed/embedded through out the cylinder and head
Saw this happen on an F20C engine after the plugs were left for too long.
Personal choice ATEOD

[SL500UK]

notsaV8V said:

SL500UK said:

AM Independent in Surrey said spark plugs on V8V should be changed at the seventh year service despite my car's 22k mileage. I mentioned the service book suggested they be changed at 70k or 7 years, whichever comes first.

I'm a bit confused with the question. I assume you car is having it's 7 year service which would suggest that you should change the plugs given the service book statement of "whichever comes first".

Sorry I've completely confused this thread ............ does the service book recommend that plugs be changed at 7 years or 70k (whichever comes first)? If so then the indie is quite correct in suggesting they should be changed but if not, then the main dealer is correct in saying that they don't need changing (unless of course they find a fault with the car that points to the spark plugs).

The way I read the service book was that the plugs should be changed at 70k but I may have mis-interpreted this.

[mikey k]

They key is in WHICH EVER COMES FIRST
It is 7 years old but you have not done the 70k miles
So the 7 year service schedule stands and the plugs are on that scheduel

[Jon39]

Neil1300R said:

I actually went to them to get a quote to deal with paint bubbling.

On an Aston Martin?

That does not seem possible.

[B4rnst4ble]

Neil1300R said:
I actually went to them to get a quote to deal with paint bubbling.

what you need is a solicitor not a garage/ paint shop

[Neil1300R]

B4rnst4ble said:

Neil1300R said:
I actually went to them to get a quote to deal with paint bubbling.

what you need is a solicitor not a garage/ paint shop

I know mate. Doing it all wrong. I did ask my solicitor but he said he is rubbish at paint and decorating.

Edited by Neil1300R on Thursday 23 May 14:02

[yeti]

Jockman said:

Interesting that you weren't going to change them on the 7th service until the diagnostics showed an issue

Yup. Although bear in mind I didn't know if they were or weren't on the schedule, I trust BR to do what is needed when needed and they always do that. For example, driveshafts were not on the schedule... but I still needed a pair

It was a lesson learned for me actually and I will try and let others know when the questions are raised. Sometimes the little book of Astoness is correct...

Edited by yeti on Thursday 23 May 14:01

[Jockman]

yeti said:

Sometimes the little book of Astoness is correct...

Absolutely.....you would need a good reason to deviate from it.

I just wish I could remember Brakedwell's rationale

[Lunablack]

My car is due its 7th service this year..... At 24k miles it won't be getting spark plugs..... Even at 70k the manual says remove and replace "if required". Although why anybody would remove and put back 70k old plugs is a bit of a mystery

[PiloteAM]

Neil1300R said:

I wasn't looking for cheap. Want to deal with a company that wants to look after its customers and not automatically blame the customer if things go wrong.

Quite like the idea that the Indie will clean / lubricate the brake pads, remove brake dust etc.

Not actually used them yet, but they come highly recommended and I actually went to them to get a quote to deal with paint bubbling.

I can guess which indy

Some have a reputation for going above and beyond what the dealers do at a service (but costing the same or more), some for doing the same or less work (but cheaper).

Good that we have options.