Made an appointment for service at the dealer and the tech suggested it was time for a spark plug replacement. 'Recommendation' based on age rather than mileage, I'm under 20k for a 2013. Seems unnecessary. Opinions?

 

They would say that as it’s more money out of your pocket. Mine is on 27k for a 12MY and I have no intention of changing plugs just for the sake of it.

 

I just changed plugs on my 07 at 75K miles. I did that and cleaned injectors because I was getting a trouble code relating to lean fuel mixture. It has not thrown a code since, so I'm glad I spent the money. However, I wouldn't expect you to have problems at 20K. If your ECM doesn't think you have a problem, I wouldn't mess with it, personally.

 

I just changed mine on my 07 , I have owned this for a year and a half and did it just because didn't know history. How did you clean injectors?

 

Unlike fluids, spark plugs do not breakdown or degrade over time. Unless you are having spark plug related issues this is a huge waste of money. NGK, who make the plugs, say iridium should last about 100K miles. This is also going to be true of any other wear items on the car, all mileage/use dependent NOT time. Anyone who tells you otherwise is taking advantage or is seriously ignorant.

 

I had my local indy shop do it. From what I understand, they take them off and send them down the street to our local NAPA, who does the actual cleaning.

 

I think for the price it was worth doing after 13 years rather than chancing them freezing into the block.

 

An inspection can be a good idea and perhaps a loosen and re-tighten. But if it made you happy to do it, that is what matters. My concern was a dealer TELLING a client they needed replacing after just 7 years and less than 20K miles done.

 

Thanks all, confirmed my suspicion that this was the normal dealer upcharge attempt. Last year of warranty from these guys, then I will go with the indy service.

 

I had all eight of my plugs changed at 67,000 miles because I lost an injector and everything was torn down that far anyway. Cost me $8 per plug and $55 labor added to the rest of the bill.
The old plugs didn't look BAD, per se, but they didn't look GOOD either. The bad injector one was gross though, all kinds of black burned wetness and fuel smells.

 

My Indy advised 100k for mine, but as I'm having the SC nose replaced, with new sc oil, waterless coolant and a new 6% ss upper bolt on pulley fitted said he'd charge me 30 mins labour £40/50usd to change the plugs (I have the correct ngk iridium ones and paid £50 for them delivered).

May as well have it done, as just makes sense

 

Spark plug change IS 100k miles or 10 years old

 

The maintenance check sheet for the 5 litre XK only mentions distance, not time, and it is 105k miles.

 

An acquaintance of mine had a spark plug break and a part fall into the cylinder.

His XKR has 130 K Kilometers on it, don´t know, if the plugs were replaced before. He´s not the original owner.

Hermann

 

Spot on . 105k for the 5l 100k for the 4.2l cars . regarding distance i was quoting my indy garage whom said 10year . now a true Enthusiast would change them every 30k , But not many True enthusiasts on here are they most think they are by washing the car but afraid to DIY

 

Time some of you guys got out the spanners and socket sets and got your hands dirty , Instead of talking proverbial BS about battery's and needless **** , aim to be like Cambo , DaveX, and BigAL AND GIVE OWNERS SOME THING GOOD TO READ . Ignore Trolls like CJ and Stuart and that seanF who pollute this forum and know nothing

 

I changed the plugs on 2005 4.2 SuperV8/Daimler at 60K miles even though the book called for them at 100K. The plugs were not done but they did show wear and new ones fitted DID make a difference in smoothness and speed or so it seemed.

I went 2 degrees colder on the 2008 XKR at 55K miles and the plugs looked much better this time round compared to the others just mentioned. The reason for the change and upgrade was for the performance modifications done as well as road course racing in the hot Florida sun.

 

Are you talking about me? If so, who do you think you are to call me a know-nothing troll with only 277 "Likes" to your name from Forum members?

 

Oh, my. Someone has a buggery up their butt. Evidently you've not been able to read the big words I have posted in a sizeable number of posts. It's really quite sad that you read what some new (probably fake) users say when I call them out on their possible devious recommendations of products and think you have made a unilateral decision all by yourself while wearing your big-boy pants.
I'll be more than happy to invite you to one of my garages, show you what some of my equipment does, give you a beer or martini and explain to you the engineering behind engines, transmissions and so-on while you peruse all my machinery and such.
Maybe we'll become pals, or something.
Who knows.............

 

Wow George that was quite harsh?

Two things

1) Appreciate that many x150 owners are older and therefore their mechanical or physical capability isnt what it was.*

2) They should have done enough to be able to afford to pay someone else to do it for em

* I fall into this category as my X150 is the only car I've owned where I've not done plugs, coils, suspension, oil , coolant, brakes and all filter changes myself. Sadly arthritis in my hands means its just not possible now. I still have the stuff but don't fancy dosing myself up with painkillers to complete...it's just not worth it. I have a respected Indy 5 miles away that has a decent labour rate...plus a mobile mechanic with brilliant rates (£50 to fit a pair of springs and the same for 4 discs & pads).

Yes it is exasperating that some posters can't offer pertinent info for us to help them, but that IMO just comes with the territory