Changing Spark Plug Walkthrough

[devilzfan300]

I have never changed spark plugs, but I have done many other things to my car by myself, so I am not new.

I think that it would help it we had a guide with PICTURES and detailed descriptions on how to change spark plugs and wires, specifically for our car model.

It would get rid of mine, as well as everyone elses posts about spark plugs.

Thanks

[angrysk8r]

I recently just changed mine...it's not very difficult to change the front 3 plugs but the rear 3 are a major PITA. Basically all you need to change a spark plug is:

1. new set of spark plugs
2. ratchet
3. spark plug socket (most have a rubber ring on the inside so the spark plug doesn't fall out when you're removing it)
4. a ratchet extension (also it would help if you had a universal joint piece)
5. Spark plug gap checker

Before you start, make sure all of your new plugs are gapped correctly. To do that, use a spark plug gapper and keep inserting the tabs into the spark gap untill you find one that fits tightly, if the number on that tab is not the correct gap, then you need to either tap or bend out the hook like thing untill you have the correct gap.
To actually change the spark plug, you need to grab onto the bigger part of the spark plug wire, and just pull (bare hands work best) until the wire completely seperates from the end of the spark plug. Insert the spark plug socket into where the the spark plug is and start twisting counter-clockwise with the ratchet untill the plug comes out. Next, grab a new plug and tighten it into where the old plug was (make sure not to tighten it to the point that you break the plug, but enough to make sure it's in there very securely). Now put the spark plug wire back on the plug (it should make a snapping sound when you put it on) and repeat for the rest of the plugs.
To get to the back spark plugs is a little difficult. First you need to feel around untill you found where the wires are, and if you can't reach them easily, you may actually have to climb ontop of your engine block to reach them.
Once you're done changing the plugs, start your car and make sure it's running properly. If it's shaking like crazy or you have a messed up idle, you probably didn't fully hook up one of your wires or one of your plugs is bad.

Some things to remember: Only do one spark plug at a time, always do a final check to make sure all your plugs are in securely and the wires are hooked up, always gap your spark plugs before you put them in, and never start your car if it doesn't have a spark plug in it or if one of them isn't hooked up.

[Bjornboy81]

I don't think pictures are feasible just because of the fact you can't see a damn thing for the back ones!! It's all by feel :D

^That's pretty good, but I would also suggest using dielectric grease on them so you can get them off easily. Also, it may be wise to remove the coil packs to give you more room. You can do it without removing them, but it's easier to take the time to take them off...and saves a lot of grief. :)

[devilzfan300]

Would a haynes manual give good details with pictures?

[Bjornboy81]

I have one...I can let you know :)

[devilzfan300]

Originally posted by Bjornboy81
I have one...I can let you know :)
.....?

[Pjw350]

what kinda plugs is everyone using?

[angrysk8r]

Originally posted by Pjw350
what kinda plugs is everyone using?

the stock double platinum ac delco are pretty much the best...although i've heard good things about the new iridium plugs

im using champion double platinum which are basically the same as the ac delco basically

[devilzfan300]

I am going to use NGK Iridiums and MSD Wires once i figure out how to f$*#*in change em....

help pleaseee

[angrysk8r]

Originally posted by devilzfan300
I am going to use NGK Iridiums and MSD Wires once i figure out how to f$*#*in change em....

help pleaseee

read my walkthrough, if that isn't enough then just do a google search about how to change spark plugs

what are you confused about anyways? if you were more specific it would be easier to help you

[rabidpanda69]

I dont intend to be mean or anything, but if you cant follow angrysk8r's walkthrough it may not be the best Idea for you to do it. He summed up everything as well as any manual would.

The only thing I would add is (if you have an air compressor) is blow out any dirt that may fall into the cylinders before you take out the plugs.

[Bjornboy81]

Originally posted by devilzfan300
.....? Sorry man, I've been out of town.

No, the Haynes manual really doesn't have any pics that'll help...The write up here is just as good :)

[Prospeeder]

Dont use bosche plugs EVER, they dont like the easte spark system these cars use and make the cars run terrible and eat through the plugs very quickly, AC delco only!

[MichaelS]

With all due respect, I think devilzfan300 was possibly looking for more details on doing the rears, since they are the least obvious. I've done the plugs on my old Tempest (I4 engine -- easy) as well as once on my Dad's old 91 Cutlass (3.1L). I have to admit, the back ones were a pain. I thankfully managed to do them without any special tools or technique.

I'm not sure if it can be done with the 3400, but you might be able to rock the engine forward -- but i'm not sure exactly how that's done. I agree with Bjornboy81's suggestion to remove the coil packs for more room.

Regards,

Mike

[Prospeeder]

In my Chiltons, for the 3100 also, it says NEVER use a swivle/flex joint peice, the shear force can snap the plug off in the cylinder head!!! just a warning, thats what my manual says

[angrysk8r]

Originally posted by Prospeeder
In my Chiltons, for the 3100 also, it says NEVER use a swivle/flex joint peice, the shear force can snap the plug off in the cylinder head!!! just a warning, thats what my manual says

only if you're throwing the ratchet around like crazy and not keeping it going in a slow, steady turn

[scottyb]

Great walkthrough!

[bballr4567]

If you are worried about snapping off the plug dont worry too much. The actual part that you need to put the socket on is metal. If you break off the procelin (sp??) all you have to do is make sure you have the socket on the actual nut part of the spark plug.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/2977/sparkplugbackgroundmm0.jpg

[ChevelleSSLS6]

I used AC Rapidfire plugs, smoother idle and a little response off idle.

[ga5speed02]

i just changed mine today on my green GT. here is a helpfull tip i found out while chengeing the back 3 plugs. i dont recall this being mentiond if so sorry for the repete.

running across the top the O2 scensor is there. it helps to pop off the harnes where it is attached to and undo the plastic ring holder that hold the loom inplase over the O2 wires. remove them 2 and push the O2 secenor harnes out of the way. it is eaier to get to the 3 plus with the ratchet and extension.

also i agree with Paul id about 90% feel. i changed the back 3 from the passenger side of the car. you can see in there abit but not much. also then i put the pulg back in thats closest to the passenger side fender i put that back in from the driver side. its easy to see in there and and then twist the extension with my left hand

this was an easy change. now a V8 in an F body car, have fun :lol:

[dangerranger]

I let the engine cool and knelt on the intake manifold, i could kinda see what i was doin. Used an extension, didn't take too long.

[Pte Socks]

and make sure its not stripped. I found out the hard way how much a stripping your heads can be. Thankgoodness a mechanic could get a heli-coil in there cause I sure couldnt.

[CrucialTK]

Luckily it went pretty smooth for me (at least I think). It took about an hour, not too bad for my first time. I had to use two different length extensions for different plugs. Only major pain in the butt I rain into was the plastic cradle for the back three plugwires. I couldn't get it to unclip, so I had to break it off.

Anyone know if thats a major part, or just something to help keep everything in place. It doesn't seem like it was absolutely crucial, but all the same, anyone have an answer?

[bballr4567]

Are you talking about the plastic part that holds the wires together??? Then no its not a major part at all. Just make sure your wires are touching anything hot, like the heads, and you are ok. I broke mine last time too.

[CrucialTK]

I did get all of the plastic sheathing back over the lines, but I was actually thinking about going and getting new pieces just to be sure. Don't wanna have to deal with that project again for at least a few months...

[ga5speed02]

Originally posted by CrucialTK
Only major pain in the butt I rain into was the plastic cradle for the back three plugwires. I couldn't get it to unclip, so I had to break it off.




i did the same thing. i couldnt get it to uncluip. it broke hahaha

[Vampyrate]

so this looks easy enough, i just picked up some AC Delco wires and plugs today and will install them on tuesday when i have a day off.

[hotgrandam99]

Doing this on Sunday. Good thread.

[hotgrandam99]

Did this today. The rear plugs are a PITA, but I was able to get them done without removing anything. Just used a ratchet w/extension, a small mirror and patience. Much smoother idle now. :)

[gadragon]

i will be doing this in the next few days as well

[sush]

Hi guys.
I just thought I’d give something back to this thread:

I did my spark plugs.
My car has 65,000 kms on it. And I decided to change the spark plugs to NGK Iridium’s.

I just took it the car out for a spin, here’s what I found:
- The throttle is more responsive. The gas pedal responds more to my foot. Its wrong to say the car accelerates faster…but it feels more…crunchy? More alert? Less sloppy.
- When you stop accelerating, the ‘glide’ on the car is smoother.
- This one could be in my head: but I felt like the gears shifted smoother too.

The new plugs have shiny tips, and the picture below shows the plugs after 65,000kms of hard driving on them.

There was no knocking when the car started, so all that arguments about sticking with AC Delco only…not true.

I work on customizing PCs, I have very little knowledge about cars:
The change was relatively simple, the ones in the front came off easily, the only challenge was in the rear 3 ones, you can’t see them. Its not a matter of car knowledge here, its just how good you are at following the spark plug wires back and finding them.

You also have to be very careful that you don’t hit the tip of the plugs on anything, its much harder in the back when your trying to get it in the …hole? You can bend them and mess up the spacing. Be careful and patient with that.

One more tip: wait for the engine to cool, I was impatient and kept burning myself. I had to put both my knees on the car battery to be able to reach around, a mirror to look back there helped, the burns were from the engine block and alternator.

That’s all from me.
Peace.
Sush

[Ralph]

There was no knocking when the car started, so all that arguments about sticking with AC Delco only…not true.



Comparing plugs beaten on for 65k vs new plugs isn't a fair comparison. Only way to finish this debate is to get a set of AC Delco Platinum Plus plugs and compare new vs new

[sush]

Comparing plugs beaten on for 65k vs new plugs isn't a fair comparison. Only way to finish this debate is to get a set of AC Delco Platinum Plus plugs and compare new vs new


oh. thats not what i meant. i meant, use NGK if you wish, i was confirming they work without any knocking/well. i wasnt getting knocking on (the used for 65k) AC delco factory ones either. i said that because i thought people were having issues when they moved away from AC delco.
i do not: know how the NGKs would compare to the AC delco platinums brand new

[aeaddy03]

Thanks for the info!

[95blackz26]

oh. thats not what i meant. i meant, use NGK if you wish, i was confirming they work without any knocking/well. i wasnt getting knocking on (the used for 65k) AC delco factory ones either. i said that because i thought people were having issues when they moved away from AC delco.
i do not: know how the NGKs would compare to the AC delco platinums brand new

considering the iridum plugs that ac delco sellls are actually made by NGK you were already using something other than ac-delco.

04 iirc is when they started using the iridiums as factory install plugs.

these engines dont like the bosch plugs or anything bosch for that matter.

[GrandAmGTTT]

I don't think pictures are feasible just because of the fact you can't see a damn thing for the back ones!! It's all by feel :D

^That's pretty good, but I would also suggest using dielectric grease on them so you can get them off easily. Also, it may be wise to remove the coil packs to give you more room. You can do it without removing them, but it's easier to take the time to take them off...and saves a lot of grief. :)

X2, i just did mine like two weeks ago. the back three are all by feel. You must be carefull when pulling them out, don't put too much stress on them bc they will break and then you have a big mess getting the fragments out. and when putting the plugs in remember to start them all by hand and make sure that you are able to wiggle them a little as a sign that they are goin in straight

[el diablo]

ok guys hers how i made life simplei had a brain fart and here it is when it comes to the back 3 to eliminate the pita of startin them by hand i used a valve stem and put the tip of the plug in the rubber end of the valve stem.... it gives u somethin to hold on to if u have fat fingers like mine and as for bosch they can kiss it i put a full set of plat +4 plugs in and it ran great for about 10k then blah no response mileage went to the crapper and top end power sux and the idle ha ha ha sounds like a freakin briggs and stratton with my glass pack so DO NOT USE THESE PLUGS you will regret it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



http://mbmfiles.com/a/080504-aNWt4aTsotdM.gif (http://www.mybannermaker.com/link.php?nurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mybannermaker.com)

[ssvejiita]

Hi guys.
I just thought I’d give something back to this thread:


That’s all from me.
Peace.
Sush


wow dude is that rust on the plugs??


and yea pita....i break shit all the time..i dont think anything under the hood is important anymore..sometimes i do it on purpose so i dont hav to worry about it anymore