rx76k

the majority of forum members will suggest going with ngk or denso. therefore don't reinvent the wheel, go with stock ngk spark plugs. the standard spark plug socket that comes with craftsman mechanic tool kits is 5/8" that fit plugs for hondas and acuras. however, you will need the 13/16" spark plug socket if you want to remove rx7 plugs. i didn't know this when i started working on the car, which lead to a few trips back and forth for tools. stock uses 7 and 9 heat ranges for the plugs. some members have used 9's all around but that is not recommended for a mostly stock car. platinum plugs will probably last longer, but the standard plugs should be fine.

the sparkplugs cannot be reached from top unless you remove the elbow and throttle body etc. however, from the bottom they are more accessible. changing the spark plugs will not be easy like on a honda, but it can be done without removing other parts.

PARTS:

Copper (standard):
-NGK spark plugs 3559, BUR7EQ Leading, $4.99 @ kragen (need 2) and
-NGK spark plugs 5483, BUR9EQ Trailing, $4.99 (need 2)

OR (choose copper or platinum set only)

Platinum (lasts longer):
-NGK 4764 BUR7EQP Leading, $11.99 (need 2) and
-NGK 5255 BUR9EQP Trailing, $6.99 (need 2)

-3/8" rachet
-3" extension for 3/8" rachet
-13/16" sparkplug socket for 3/8" rachet
-low profile jack 3" to 21" @ costco $75.99
-jack stands
-mechanic gloves
-flash light with rotatable light (craftsman)
-safety glasses IMPORTANT!
-dielectric grease (optional)

1. jack the car at the jack point after the front wheel on the left side. you can't jack it from the front center of car since the jack won't reach.
2. ALWAYS use jack stands to secure the car in place.
3. ALWAYS use safety glasses since working under the car. beware of pieces of caked on oil dropping from the car into eyes.
4. slide under the car and look to the right of the front left wheel. between the wheel and the oil drain plug will be an empty area/hole through the subframe. use the flash light and rotate the light to shine upward through the space.
5. looking inside will reveal the four sparkplugs connected to sparkplug wires. you can see the plugs by looking at the exposed white ceramic part of the plug.
6. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T INSTALL THE WRONG PLUGS IN THE WRONG SLOT. damage may occur to the engine if installed incorrectly.
7. the bottom plugs are the leading plugs indicated by the letter "L" right next to it. the top plugs are the trailing plugs indicated with the letter "T".
(i changed the plugs going counter-clockwise from the lower right "L" plug first)
8. wear gloves, unplug the spark plug wire by wiggling it slowly until it pops out.
9. connect 3" extension (if needed), 3/8" rachet, 13/16" sparkplug socket and remove the sparkplug (lefty loosey).
10. replace old spark plug with new leading spark plug (righty tighty). hand tighten the sparkplug into place. use the socket wrench to continue tightening until resistance. hand tightening alone is not enough to secure the plug.
11. optional: apply dielectric gease on the white ceramic and dark metal with green dot for better contact from wire to plug.
12. reconnect the spark plug wire by pushing it into the spark plug until a pop sound is heard. repeat process for other plugs. make sure the proper plug is installed as indicated L or T.
13. when done, make sure the bottom of car is clear. remove jack stands then proceed to slowly lower car to ground.
14. recycle the new sparkplug boxes in the recycle bin.
15. discard old spark plugs into garbage can.

disclaimer: information for comparison only. use at your own risk.

JConn2299

Can't I keep the old plugs, if I want to? Please?

JConn2299

Oh, Jeez. I would never just throw them in the trash. What kind of monster do you think I am?

JConn2299

You left out the part where I can stop to scratch my *** if it itches.

importrx7

I like the fact that you are doing write ups but you should do write ups on more difficult things to do. And you don't have to remove the TB to take the plugs out from up top, i just take my greddy elbow and ic pipe off.

rx76k

i'm doing the write ups as i get them done on the car. when i get to something complicated, then ill write one.

scotty305

iTrader: (2)

1. I'd rather see a redundant writeup than a dumb question.
2. I'd rather see a useful writeup than a redundant one.
3. A picture is worth a thousand words, and being wordy will cause people to skip reading stuff that might have been helpful advice.


FYI, I do my plugs from the top, without removing anything from the car except the old plugs. A set of Mechanics gloves are a great thing to have with this car, they protect the back of your hands nicely.

-s-

Rated R1

You forgot to put anti-sieze on the threads.

jic

iTrader: (1)

hey you forgot to add number 16. watch garbage man pick up my trash with my spark plugs in it

Rotarded

You forgot 2 things:

Hydrogen peroxide and Band Aids in the parts list.

AND

Step 9.5. Slash your forearm on the sawblade (better known as the subframe) when the plug intitially breaks loose or the socket slips from the plug.

rizzxx7

iTrader: (4)

I never had a problem doing it from up top with or without the elbow, I just use a stubby ratchet.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

I think it's great. There are some pretty basic things about working with this car that are often assumed but shouldn't be.

I recall starting a thread once on how to jack the car - where to lift it and support it. Everyone started out going "hey, wtf you'd better know this kind of stuff" and next thing you know they all had different ways of doing it. IMO it turned out to be rather educational for everyone.

Not that spark plugs are going to show much variation, but it's a bad idea to assume someone won't be interested in knowing exactly how to do it. When I started out working on this car I would have printed this out and checked off the steps.

Dave

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Is your cruise control removed? B/c I have just enough room to remove the oil filter without removing stuff. Getting to the plugs would involve scratching my arms up or something.

Dave

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

rx76k,

Good write-up...

However, you might do some write-up's of things that we don't already have around. Check these common RX-7 sites for what's already out there:

http://robrobinette.com/howtos.htm

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/how-to.html

If you are going to redo one, make it better by adding pics or illustrations.

MR_Rick

iTrader: (7)

Don't throw the old spark plugs away, just take them in a replace them under warranty.

tsmysak1

Appreciate your post, even if it is only spark plugs. I talked to a guy the other day who had never wrenched on a car before and wanted an FD badly all his life. Your post would be beneficial to him. Ignore the negative comments. Some of your points are important, and I am sorry that everyone is so damn smart that they know everything already.

I work in the mining industry, and every year there are dozens and dozens of people killed by working on machinery over the stupidest things. You wouldn't believe the number of people who will crawl under a car without car jacks. I have seen this happen all my life, therefore your post is warranted, if for that reason alone.

Keep writing and I appreciate you taking the time.

rotorbrain

why discard them when you can hit em in the sandblaster and use em again NEXT MONTH!!! hahaha, cause you know youll need some.

seriously, thats what i do with all my old ones. they seem to foul out before they "wear" out for the most part. you can look in jcwhitney and other places for spark plug cleaners. its simply a miniature sandblaster that you can screw a spark plug into. . . just make sure the plugs are cleaned with shop air FIRST and then carb cleaner. just cleaning them with carb cleaner can push the left-over media deeper inside the plug and make it harder to get out since its wet at the time youre trying to clean. so, note: shop air first, carb/brake cleaner second.

paul

rotorbrain

i still have yet to find out how you guys are getting to do this. . . you must have buddies or something. cause normal wear isnt included under warranty. the plugs warranty is for breaking or not sparking at all or something like that. its not the plug manufacturers fault that your car runs like crap.

paul

murphyefini

that robinette or w/e website is very helpful thers also a website ummm i think like automotivehelper.com or something says the basics like changing oil or changing spark plugs and all others