Dr4900n

S4 TII

Asking because ... well, I can't get mine out. Rather impossible to get a wrench to turn with so little room down there.

Any tips? (TMIC is off as well as some other crap that was in the way).

Also, which plug wires go where? I know T and L, but which housing is 1 and which is 2? Is the one closer to the transmission 1?

(Search apparently dosen't like the words, "How", "To", Get", and "Out")

Hellonwheels

I got the same motor, its not that bad for room. if your really cramped. i took an old bike frame. but it up so it works like an extension on ratchet for other hard to reach areas, and rusty bolts.

Tyblat

Try searching for "Sparkplug Removal" that might work. I just used a socket and wrench. This may sound obvious, but make sure the ratchet is set to apply force COUNTER ClOCKWISE.

mikaz

just put the spark plug socket on the splug first, then slip the ratchet on, and uncrew them. These are EXTREMLY easy to take out. Id hate to see you work on some of the other vehicles I have had to work on.. you have to undo the motor mounts to even access the plugs...........

C.A.R

Use a breaker bar, an extension and spark plug socket to get it off... If you still cant break it loose, get a large wrench or hollow bar to fit over the end of the breaker bar for the extra torque...

Trailing is on top
Leading is on Bottom

1 is in front
2 is in back

atleast thats how I got mine set up...

Secondmessiah

i think my favorite car to do spark plugs on is my saab

they face right out at you, you undo 4 bolts to take the cover off, and just go to work

also helps on those semiannual headgasket repairs

Black91n/a

Remove the AC and PS, it frees up lots of space and make changing plugs a breeze.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, just use a socket wrech with a spark plug socket on it. If needed use an extension, or a breaker bar with a swivel handle.
And I agree, these cars are pretty much the easiest I've seen to change the spark plugs on. For one, you can actually see the plugs unlike most cars that have them mounted in the heads. On my dads WRX you have to remove the whole airbox assembly for one bank, and the wiper fluid bottle and battery/battery box for the other bank just to get to the coil assembly which you remove to get to the plugs.

C.A.R

I had to lay on my belly and reach my arm up behind me along the firewall through this tiny opening from under the van to get to one of my moms spark plugs... She drives a Dodge minivan... It reminded me of the last time I pissed off a cop...

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

You had to remove the middle seats to do it on the Toyota Privia minivan.

staticguitar313

iTrader: (2)

my spark plug soket doesnt fit, the little lip on the housing prevents me from getting to the head on the spark plug. I really dont want to spend the $65 racing beat wants for a special socket

slpin

iTrader: (9)

there is alot of room for spark plugs
you dont have a third gens, and it isnt glowplugs on a powerstroke

just get a spark plug socket, and a small 3/8 rachet, and get all of it out.

KeeganP

I'm surprised no one else mentioned what staticguitar said. I had the same problem with the little lip for the first time ever last time I did plugs. I've had the car for a decade, and believe me I've changed many plugs in that time.

As for pain in the *** spark plugs, worst I remember off hand is a 96 Monte Carlo Z34. Took several hours as I had to remove the upper intake manifold which was held on by only a few bolts, but were randomly placed all over the place under different things, and behind other things. I'd smack anyone who claimed to be involved with designing that crap.

Thank God for Rx-7's, they are so easy to work on. Which is good, cause something is alway needing it

Dinnercoat

Harbor Freight has this real cool thing like a "speed ratchet" or something. Its just like a normal socket ratchet but it has a spinny thing on the bottom of the handle which would make it perfect for no muss fuss spark plug removal.

However its like $25 and I couldn't justify the purchase as the only use I can think of is for spark plugs on the FC.

KA24 and SR20 have pretty easy spark plug access. Just pull out the rubber wire connector thing and go to down with some extensions. Oh wait it is kind of a pain getting the spark plug socket back out though after you've tightened them down. Overall not so bad though.

arghx

iTrader: (3)

my s4 T2 has vac reduction and no A/C (got p/s though). I come in from the left side with a nice 3/8" drive flexhead ratchet and a sparkplug socket for the front ones, and then come in from the right side for the rears. You may have stock intercooler piping in the way though...

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Nah, it's easy. You just need to get at it from the right angle. Remove all the spark plug wires and then attack directly from above. Might need a breaker bar to get it the first time.

L1 = front leading
T1 = front trailing

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

If you have the stock plugs, then they stick out far enough past the lip to get a regular spark plug socket on them.

My5ABaby

iTrader: (7)

I use a regular spark plug socket on them. I borrowed it from my dad who has had it for over 20 years... Nothing special there.

I just go from straight above the sparkplugs. I use a regular ratchet. Don't really see how it's a problem unless it's a TII thing.

Dr4900n

I was using a box wrench

And my rachet sockets are all too shallow.

Looks like a trip to Canadian Tire to get a long *** mastercraft socket. What size? Googling the model numbers didn't return anything useful.

And it looks like my P/S pump isn't even connected (no belt ... it just isn't there!).

Rat's nest removal will take place later in the year after the car is exempt from emmisions and I get to drive it for a bit before I induce possible irepairible damage.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

You were what?!

Get a full set of deep metric sockets. They're very handy. I don't remember what the spark plug sizes are. 5/8" or 13/16" I think.

Dr4900n

Yeah, I think 13/16ths is correct. I was trying with a 3/4 and it was almost on.

Houstonderk

iTrader: (3)

What looks like a pain are those RX-8 ones since the motor is more lower and back. I remember the oil filter is harder too, but these plugs can be changed in like 5 minutes but there are alot of those places that don't like fingers or nuckels.

Dr4900n

Yeah, this was simply a case of not having the right tool for the job. Thanks for your replies everyone.

Definately need to grab a pair of gloves from the dollar store.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

I LOVE the oil filter location on my car. Its just right there sitting on top. Plus when you drain the oil it drains out of the filter too, so it doesn't drip everywhere. On my wifes 6 the oil filter is directly above the damn exhaust manifold. Not only to you risk burning yourself when you change the oil, but no matter how careful you are you will drip oil on the manifold since the filter is upside down and tilted slightly. Retarded.
The worst are some battery locations. On my dad's Sebring you had to remove a tire to get to it, and I think on some Buick you have to remove the whole rear seat bottom.

Houstonderk

iTrader: (3)

Yea the whole stratus, sebring, intrepid wheel well battery location is pretty stupid. I got my 99' trep and haven't had to change it yet.