View Full Version : Whats the deal with Spark Plugs...
Judggin
05-04-2007, 09:33 PM
Hey guys, decided today to change out my spark plugs at 69k miles. I got to the coils and plugs and looked at the first coil/plug. Wondering how the hell I get my 10mm socket on that with the black strip in the way of it? Any suggestions, dont want to rip off something that I shouldnt. Actually this is the first time seeing the coils/plugs. So anyway I changed 3 out of 6 so far bc of the trouble I ran into and plus got dark..... so have to finish in the morning, she'll be parked til then. Also changing them with the AC Delco Iridium plugs, see how she is after all this.
So main questions are, how to get to the first plug with the bolt being cover by a plastic piece which looks to be case for wires and 2nd, how was the last plug by firewall?
AEOLight
05-04-2007, 10:51 PM
Hey guys, decided today to change out my spark plugs at 69k miles. I got to the coils and plugs and looked at the first coil/plug. Wondering how the hell I get my 10mm socket on that with the black strip in the way of it? Any suggestions, dont want to rip off something that I shouldnt. Actually this is the first time seeing the coils/plugs. So anyway I changed 3 out of 6 so far bc of the trouble I ran into and plus got dark..... so have to finish in the morning, she'll be parked til then. Also changing them with the AC Delco Iridium plugs, see how she is after all this.
So main questions are, how to get to the first plug with the bolt being cover by a plastic piece which looks to be case for wires and 2nd, how was the last plug by firewall?
Hi Judggin...
For the first coil pack retainer bolt, I removed the black plastic wire loom cover by gently releasing the clips with a small screwdriver. Move the wires aside then you can remove the twist-in retainers underneath. One of mine partially broke, but was not a problem.:duh: BTW, be very gentle with the coil pack retainer bolt. Some members have had them break. Try to gently tighten it first just until it cracks, then loosen. Use a small amount of anitsieze on the threads when installing. Do not overtighten.:nono:
In regards to the rear plug, just use a short extension and a 3/8" ratchet. I put a small amount of penetrating oil in the plug wells and let them soak. They came right out. Again, tighten first to "crack" loose on a cold engine. Use anti-sieze sparingly on the threads when installing. I did this on both of my 4.2L I6's and had no problem. :)
Sorry for the long-winded procedure...'bit of a mother hen in the room what with the Queen Mum about!:crazy:
Judggin
05-04-2007, 11:05 PM
Great advise, will do it first thing in the morning! Overall it didnt look like a big problem, just dont want to crack anything. Thank you for the help, Ill check back to let how it went and all. :D At 69k the 3 plugs I pulled out were in very good condition too, heh. O well mine as well replace them now since I get them.:yes:
hatchet669
05-04-2007, 11:09 PM
yea i fought with the first one for a long while... it sucked... as for the last one... it was no problem what so ever.,.. just as easy as the other ones... as long as you have the right size extension... not to big not to small lol... i was lucky lol
Gearhead2012
05-04-2007, 11:42 PM
When I changed mine, about 5k ago, I used the Autolite Iridium replacements for the ACDelco's, just to see how they'd do. They did fine, but I forgot to put any anit-sieze on them, so I'll prolly pull them out here pretty soon and put the new iridium delco's in it, just because I work at a parts store and can get them for cheap...and I don't want to have to worry about them getting stuck in there after another 60k.
As for the first plug, I just pulled that whole wire loom, and plastic cover off, and these little "popper" things came right out, and I could hold it out of the way enough while I took the coil out. Good luck with it.
Blazernut
05-05-2007, 12:24 AM
When I changed mine, about 5k ago, I used the Autolite Iridium replacements for the ACDelco's, just to see how they'd do. They did fine, but I forgot to put any anit-sieze on them, so I'll prolly pull them out here pretty soon and put the new iridium delco's in it, just because I work at a parts store and can get them for cheap...and I don't want to have to worry about them getting stuck in there after another 60k.
As for the first plug, I just pulled that whole wire loom, and plastic cover off, and these little "popper" things came right out, and I could hold it out of the way enough while I took the coil out. Good luck with it.
Gearhead - Not sure if you are aware - Resist the temptation to wire brush the plugs when you have them out. They come with a special coating that adds to their longevity. If you scrape it off or compromise it's integrity it will reduce their life significantly. :thumbsup:
:m2:
Gearhead2012
05-05-2007, 12:40 AM
Gearhead - Not sure if you are aware - Resist the temptation to wire brush the plugs when you have them out. They come with a special coating that adds to their longevity. If you scrape it off or compromise it's integrity it will reduce their life significantly. :thumbsup:
:m2:
No, I had no intention of wire brushing them. What gave you that idea?
rbarrios
05-05-2007, 01:23 AM
same here...
All 5 were easy... that 1st one gave me so much trouble.
Eventually just popped the 2 clips off... I think I broke one on the edge...- but it was really getting annoying that I coudnt remove it.
As for scrapping the plugs... many people do that with the old plugs.... including me. In my 70 chevy Id remove plugs and scrape the threads etc....
But I had read about the iridiums and how NOT to scrape the threads as it would damage the stuff on them that makes them last long
Blazernut
05-05-2007, 02:19 AM
No, I had no intention of wire brushing them. What gave you that idea?
Sorry ... just trying to be helpful. Some people tend to want everything sparkling clean and may make a mistake if they were unaware of these new style plugs.
B.
Gearhead2012
05-05-2007, 03:00 AM
Sorry ... just trying to be helpful. Some people tend to want everything sparkling clean and may make a mistake if they were unaware of these new style plugs.
B.
No appologies man...it's all good, I'm thankful for every bit of advise I can get. Were you talking about the actually brushing the electrod, and ground and all...or the threads? Now I'm just curious...I'd assume you're talking about the actual part that sparks...I couldn't imagine how a coating would be effective on the threads.
MTPockets
05-05-2007, 06:02 AM
For that wire-way that obstructs #1, ideally, wait until it's nice and warm out or hit it with a hair dryer. You should get enough movement of that wireway to R/R the #1 plug. Other than that, like the other fellas say, you need to find and release all the push plugs and clips to get the thing to move. Being a GM product, you will break some of the plugs/clips. :duh: They gotta get better with those.
Joel
Judggin
05-05-2007, 01:50 PM
Well finally finished putting all in. She started right up like a champ like always. That first plug was the witch, snap those 2 clips off... those served 100% no purpose what so ever so ripped them off. After that it was a breeze. Thanks for the input peeps :D