changing plugs in a quad 4

[firecracker]

My car seems to be missing so I decided to change the plugs. Is it a pain in the ass to do yourself or should I just take it somewhere? as for doing it myself, where are all of the plugs located?? sorry for the noob questions but I never did it on this car before. on my old nissan they were all on top.

thanks

[4kQuad]

Real easy to do yopur self. But get some anti-seaze for the plugs before you put them back in.

Pull the ground off the battery.
When you look down at the motor, on the top you see a plate that says QUAD 4 on it. It has 4 bolts 13 or 15mm size. Remove the 4 bolts, that will let you pull straight up on the plate. It will pull up off, when it is free you will see the four spark plugs looking straight up at you. That is if the little boot things stayed on the plate and didn't stick to the plugs.

The thing I'm calling the plate is the IDI unit. Looking at it, you will see a cover, under that cover lives the coils.

Any way pull the plugs with the motor cold. Make sure the new plugs are gapped right .35 put a little of the anti-seaze on the threads of the new plugs before you put them in.

Once there all gapped and in, put the IDI unit back down on top the spark plugs, thighen the 4 bolts back in. Put your ground wire back on the battery. The car MAY run ruff for a few minutes as the computer has to relearn the system.

After a couple minutes and a few shifts all should be fine.
It should take 30 to 45 minutes your first time. I can do mine now in 10 minutes.

[Loopy]

Just make sure you pull the IDI unit STRAIGHT up and push it STRAIGHT down. Breaking something here would be bad. But 4kQuad is right - it's really simple and quick to do.

Loopy

[LargeFish]

Mike (older guy) just posted a link with some pictures you may find helpful... http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton%20Manuals/9106m/9106CH02_12.HTML

[CHollman82]

What size socket do you use on the plugs?

[HeyDace]

5/8" and a 6-8" extension. When you get the IDI off inspect the coil housing (this is probably the culprit on misfires) Its the white thingy that has the plug boots (the black thingys) cliped to. If it looks like it has little black cracks or little black spots on it, replace it. This is common with Qauds.:D

[firecracker]

alright thanks guys
i haven't had any time at all the past few days but hopefully tomorrow i can get this done

[kevin]

I have a 1989 SE 2.3L anyone have suggestions what plug type to use OEM? Platinum? etc.

[MagusXIII]

Originally posted by kevin
I have a 1989 SE 2.3L anyone have suggestions what plug type to use OEM? Platinum? etc.
Basic copper core plugs will serve you just fine. None will make your car perform notably better. Unless you do not like to change plugs, I would just say to save your money and get regular copper core plugs. If you prefer to go longer between plug changes, then platinum plugs are what you want.

[firecracker]

wtf? got an email saying there were posts here and I knew this post had been dead for a while. haha just weird that this thread was brought back up for that.

[LargeFish]

Stock Delcos tend to work best on Quads and you can get them for about $0.85

[kevin]

thank for you recommendations. can anyone tell me what size sockect is needed to remove the O2 sensor? is it easy to remove? will it be stuck/frozen? do it when the engine is warm/cold? i'm basically looking for suggestions. thanks again.

[4kQuad]

You will need to buy a special socket to remove the O2. It will have a small slit up the socket, thats for the wire to stick through while you turn the O2.

It can become stuck, the night before you go to change it out. While the motor is kind of warm. Not Hot, spray some penetrating oil on it let it soak over night.

With a little luck it sould break free and come out the next moring.

[jbrow1]

My wife has a 2000 grand am se 2.4L twin cam. Are the plugs on this motor under the plate also? I'm used to working on old chevy pickups.. Didn't see any wires or anything on her car so thought I'd check the forums first.

[jbrow1]

Never mind guys, found the exact thread I needed with a more exact search. 2.4L Twin Cam plug change thread. (http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=704865#post704865)