New Spark Plugs with Carbon build-up in 1 hour?

[Tutman]

I just got back from the dealer with my Sequoia after a 30K service. I first noticed that the tires hadn't been rotated because the front wheels still have the break dust, and the rear ones don't. Got me wondering. What else didn't they do? The invoice says they rotated the tires.

How about the spark plugs? I looked at the cap over the spark plugs, and they were dusty, and no fingerprints. I touched one and it left an obvious fingerprint. So I pulled one of the plugs out. Either the new plugs got carbon deposits in less than an hour of driving, or they didn't even bother changing them. Invoice clearly states, replaced 8 non-platinum plugs.

Either I've lost my mind, or these plugs didn't get changed. Can anyone confirm that plugs do not get carbon deposits in 1 hour (engine is running smoothly). I want to confirm before raising holy sh** tomorrow.

[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by joetuttle

I just got back from the dealer with my Sequoia after a 30K service. I first noticed that the tires hadn't been rotated because the front wheels still have the break dust, and the rear ones don't. Got me wondering. What else didn't they do? The invoice says they rotated the tires.

How about the spark plugs? I looked at the cap over the spark plugs, and they were dusty, and no fingerprints. I touched one and it left an obvious fingerprint. So I pulled one of the plugs out. Either the new plugs got carbon deposits in less than an hour of driving, or they didn't even bother changing them. Invoice clearly states, replaced 8 non-platinum plugs.

Either I've lost my mind, or these plugs didn't get changed. Can anyone confirm that plugs do not get carbon deposits in 1 hour (engine is running smoothly). I want to confirm before raising holy sh** tomorrow.

What doesthe invoice say they did? I would question it.

[tundrabrad]

Hard carbon deposits on sparkplugs don't happen in one hour...I would guess your suspicions are correct. Go raise hell at the dealership and get the sales department involved.

Stay and observe the service and never take it back to that dealership again!

[Tutman]

Originally Posted by nhparrot

What doesthe invoice say they did? I would question it.

I'm paraphrasing, because I don't have the invoice with me right now, but there were three different lines on the invoice which stated "spark plugs". The 30K service line said "replace spark plugs", and another line said "30K replace non-platinum plugs". When writing up the order, the service advisor called someone to verify that the 2001 Sequoia had non-platinum plugs. They recommended that the plugs be replaced at 30K.

I just got back from the dealer (where I purchased the Sequoia for sticker-price when they weren't even on the lots back in 2001). I've also been a customer since 1994 with the Camry we still have. The service manager was a jerk. He would only give me $100 back for not doing the spark plugs and rotating the tires, or go ahead and do the work. He admitted it was their fault, and they dropped the ball - all with excuses the whole time. I told him that wasn't a "fair" deal because I was still out my time taking it back, the frustration I'm going through, and the total lack of trust that they did the service they say they did. I took the $100 and marched my way to the showroom to see the General Manager.

From there the General Manager completely understood, and wanted to know what I wanted. He told me to call him tomorrow after I thought about it and calmed down.

The problem with this dealer is that there is NO place to watch the technicians work. No glass windows anywhere. I've seen a new dealership with a complete wall of windows to the work area. They will probably get the chance to earn my trust next go-around for things I don't feel like tackling myself.

After the $100 refund, they still got $240 more for a complete transmission flush, drain and fill antifreeze, oil change, and new air filter. I can either request them refund that, or even (if I dare), my Camry needs the timing belt replaced, and an oil leak fixed.

Any opinions on what to ask for?