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Dave P
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
11:08:47
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 Subject: changing spark plugs
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So, the dealer says that they want $130 to change my plugs on my 2003 Dakota Quad Cab w/ V8!! I tell him he's crazy. And he tells me this is also to "look" at the electrical system and put it on a computer. I still think it's crap and am going to do it myself.
Here's the issue. I've changed lots of plugs before on older cars. However, the 4.7L engine seems to have individual coils on the top of the caps. Is there anything difficult about changing the spark plugs on the 2003 dakota? Or, is it simply a matter of removing the coils/caps and replacing the plugs? any help would be appreciated.
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Dave P
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
11:11:59
|  RE: changing spark plugs
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Oh, I forgot to ask this too. Can you switch to iridium or platinum plugs for the 4.7L. The service guy said that Dodge does not use eitehr one of these in the 4.7L. however, NGK manufactures platinum and iridium.
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
11:39:12
| RE: changing spark plugs
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Changing a 4.7's plugs are quite easy. There is a little push-down tab on the coil packs' wiring that separates the wiring. Loosen the nut on top of each coil pack, and remove the plugs. Just do one or two at a time, and have fun. You'll have to remove the air intake hose and air hat, and loosen the alloy fuel lines over the intake manifold for added wrench room. I've used Bosch 4418 Platinum +4's in my 4.7 for several years. The smooth cold starts and improved idle are the main differences, besides 40-50,000 miles on the plugs.
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Jecht X
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
11:53:27
| RE: changing spark plugs
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when you say loosen the fuel lines. do yo uuse loosen them or remove them. I have an 03 4.7 and I saw then lines runing over 2 sets of plug. was wondering how you get by them
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Dave P
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
12:38:14
| RE: changing spark plugs
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Thanks for the quick response. From what I saw I was hoping it was that easy. In addition, I'm probably just going to go to the platinum plugs.
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JerryM
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
13:01:51
| RE: changing spark plugs
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Just loosen the fuel lines by removing the hold down bolts, you should then have enough play to get to the plugs below.
Always use a small amount of anti-seize on the plug threads and torque them down to spec.
A fairly easy job, forget the rip off dealerships!
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Gary F
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
13:10:13
| RE: changing spark plugs
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That's strange, I always thought those tubes running over the intake manifold were for coolant, not fuel. Seems like some big honkin' fuel lines!
BTW, that nut on top of each of the coils 70 lbs/in and spark plug torque is 20 lbs/ft.
Hope this helps.
Gary F
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JEcht X
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
15:08:15
| RE: changing spark plugs
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gary I though thtey was cooliant lines too. I dont know much about the engine. but if all I have to do is loosen the hold down clamps all I need to know
you want a truck that has hard spark plugs to change. try a 95 ford ranger that has that 4 banger (dont call it a 4 banger for nothing look at my knuckles lol) must be the hardest engine to change the driver side plugs out there. I mean who thought up of the 8 plugs for 4 cylinders. took me 2 hours the first time to change them. looking at my engine I can say I will be done in 20 min tops =-) famous last words lol.
but I still dont know what plugs I will get. I will have mopar HO cams for my truck soon and I hope in not to long after. so with the HO cams should I run plats or reg NGK ?
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Gary F
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
16:21:51
| RE: changing spark plugs
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JE actually those ARE coolant tubes. I was being sarcastic to those that should know the difference. Not sure about the spark plugs. I just replaced mine with what it came with. Seems to run fine to me, no troubles.
Gary F
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and
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
18:56:11
| RE: changing spark plugs
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The HO 4.7 comes with platinum plugs and i`ve heard the part # for the coil packs is the same. Been ruunin the 4418`s with no problems for 40k.
Don`t forget to blow out the holes with compressed air before you take the old ones out! If you don`t have a compressor get a can of compressed air at a computer store.
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2005
09:29:11
| RE: changing spark plugs
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I have HO cams in my '01 4.7, the 4418's work just fine. I use about 3-4 gallons of 93 octane on top of the 87 octane in a 22 gallon tank. Very minor pinging on straight 87 octane, the 93 prevents any.
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and
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2005
18:19:58
|  RE: changing spark plugs
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most gas stations mix their regular and premium to get mid-grade. if the station has one hose for all three grades just get 89. the shell near my house says they mix so when i fill up with 89 i`m getting half v-power which is a very good fuel.
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choochoo
Dodge Dakota
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4/03/2005
23:05:01
|  RE: changing spark plugs
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I recommend Champion plugs for Mopar engines, platinums were 3318's two years ago, and gave me 1 mpg better
Brand of gas makes a big difference too. "and" uses Shell gas, which I have had nothing but trouble with. Found that Shell Gold has less power than Esso regular - and a lot less gum.
Had to tear down the fuel rails using Shell, but never with any other brand.
04 Dak QC 4x4 4.7 K&N
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James Smith
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2005
00:47:04
| RE: changing spark plugs
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Message:
Would like to know what type of sparkplug most users install. I would like to use Autolite AP5224 but not sure I should based on the caution outlined in the factory service manual:
CAUTION: The 4.7L V–8 engine is equipped with
copper core ground electrode spark plugs. They
must be replaced with the same type/number spark
plug as the original. If another spark plug is substituted,pre-ignition will result.
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jpconard
Dodge Dakota
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4/05/2005
13:57:28
| RE: changing spark plugs
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I would like to know as well. I have heard the warning before (from this site) about burning up the coils with platinum plugs (which doesn't make sense to me).
I changed the originals at around 50,000 (I know a little bit late), used Champion truck plug (not platinum, but more copper core, I guess).
I just bought Bosch platinum standard for 1.99 each at Autozone, the Champion trucks were 2.65.
They had about every type of plug for these motors. Thought the 1.99 for platinum was the best buy.
Should I be concerned?
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jpconard
Dodge Dakota
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4/05/2005
20:55:47
| RE: changing spark plugs
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One other note, it has been awhile since I had the originals, but it did seem the Champion truck plugs seem to get rid of an occasional ping I had with the original plugs, even on the 87 octance which I always run.
Maybe I should take the Bosch platinums back and pay a little more for the truck plugs?
Anybody with these plugs or comments on these issues?
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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4/05/2005
22:05:01
| RE: changing spark plugs
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Then why aren't my autolites, 3923's, pinging in my 4.7? Autolites been in there for years. Give me a break
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jpconard
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2005
17:32:42
| RE: changing spark plugs
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Wasn't talking about autolites. Was comparing original plugs (Champions) to Champion trucks.
1) I didn't say for sure that it made a difference, just thought it did.
2) Many reasons for one truck pinging and another not. Every area has different fuel. The stuff I buy in St. Louis is formulated differently than the stuff I buy 200 miles from here. Many other reasons than the local gas as well.
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i love pron
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2018
14:29:09
| tWTBgORPgpnAn
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PNBSFD I think this is a real great post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
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