# I need advice on my 2004 dodge stratus **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** dodge\ **Created:** [November 8, 2018, 8:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431 "2018-11-08T08:32:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Flo\_wheeler\_144281](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/87869e/32.png) [@Flo\_wheeler\_144281](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flo_wheeler_144281)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 8:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/1 "2018-11-08T08:32:14Z")
I have a dodge that has a cross threaded spark plug that I can’t remove. And these mechanics are quoting me a price of 1,200 to 1,800. Because they said they have to take off the head. What do I do? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/2 "2018-11-08T13:37:42Z")
Take it to another mechanic for a second quote. I’d also guess the mechanics may be able to get the plug out with the head still on but are concerned they won’t be able to fix it without removing the head. Covering their hiney’s on the quote. If they pull the sparkplug, install an insert and hand you a bill for $400 instead of $1200 you will be happy. Ugly things will happen if they quote $400 and hand you a bill for $1200, won’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/3 "2018-11-08T14:06:02Z")
if you cant remove it comfortably than it must be tight? car runs ok? no combustion gas leakage? ---
**Author:** ![Flo\_wheeler\_144281](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/87869e/32.png) [@Flo\_wheeler\_144281](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flo_wheeler_144281)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/4 "2018-11-08T14:48:11Z")
The motor mounts need to be fixed. I need a coolant flush also. And I need to fix a valve leak. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 2:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/5 "2018-11-08T14:51:31Z")
You don’t say what year or condition of the vehicle but it may be that this thing has reached a point where you should not put much money into it. ---
**Author:** ![Flo\_wheeler\_144281](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/87869e/32.png) [@Flo\_wheeler\_144281](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flo_wheeler_144281)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 3:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/6 "2018-11-08T15:07:58Z")
Sorry. It’s a 2004 besides what I’ve listed everything else is okay. It was given to me so I didn’t really know much. And you may be right I’ve been told that the stratus isn’t worth spending money on. ---
**Author:** ![cwatkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cwatkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cwatkin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/7 "2018-11-08T15:42:46Z")
Does this have the 2.7L engine? If so the mechanic may simply not want to touch this because when it blows up in a little bit, he is worried you will blame him. ---
**Author:** ![Flo\_wheeler\_144281](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/87869e/32.png) [@Flo\_wheeler\_144281](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flo_wheeler_144281)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/8 "2018-11-08T15:54:05Z")
Yes and that’s probably why. Are those prices I listed accurate? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/9 "2018-11-08T15:54:16Z")
You might want to look at Kelley Blue Book to help you decide if you want to spend the amount of money that this 'Free ’ vehicle will take. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/10 "2018-11-08T17:19:56Z")
Without really checking out the problem it’s very very difficult to say there is a cross-threaded spark plug. Unless you did it. If the other plugs look like they are the originals from 11 years ago, which is possible, then the stuck plug is probably just that, stuck, but not cross threaded. I’m no expert on removing stuck plugs, but it’s not a very uncommon problem these days. You might try a different shop, and tell them that you’ve been told that a spark plug is stuck, but not the cross threaded theory. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-on-my-2004-dodge-stratus/128431/11 "2018-11-08T17:51:06Z")
There are older cars driving around with one original plug still in the motor because that one plug was very difficult to access. So they left it alone and only changed the others. The question to ask- is it worth it? What caused you to change plugs in the first place; preventive maintenance or some actual problem? What did the other plugs look like that did come out? Did they appear used up or almost like new? These are the things I would be considering before I decided to remove one stuck plug at all costs…