I went out to change my plug wires today. Figured I'd pop off the intake tube and snake the wires out and in.

I am sure most of you are laughing by now.

So, next weekend I will take the time to pull the intake, throttle body, oil filler and then replace the plug wires.
At the same time, I will clean the left side of the engine.

My questions are:

(1) Is there anything else I will need to do the job?
(2) Are there any gaskets required for the throttle body?
(3) Should I soak the throttle body to clean it?
(4) Is there any product I should use to clean the TB?
(5) Is there any other job I should do while I am here?

Any input from those who have been there would be appreciated. BTW, I plan - as always - to keep the car as stock as possible.

 

Well, if you really get ambitious you could replace the vacume lines in the rats nest.

 

As far as I know - from the former owner - the hose job was already completed.

Anything Else?

Anyone have any advice on cleaning the TB?

 

Q1. 10mm Socket and Ratchet
Q2. Yes but if you have a metal one you can reuse it...Also there is an o-ring that the throttle body uses to seal against the elbow...that may need to be replaced if it has never been.
Q3. I don't know...the Throttle Psoition Sensor (TPS) is on the throttle body so I don't know if submerging it would be a good idea
Q4. Dunno.
Q5. There's not much else to do under there other than change the plugs or reroute the TB coolant line for simplicity. But as FormerPorsheGuy said....if you feel ambitious go ahead and do the hose job...BUT that's a hellova job compared to changing plugs and wires

 

#4- I think* you can use mineral spirits to clean parts, or simple green

 

I was just curious as to what the gains are from adding on aftermarket plug wires? How much of a performance gain is there? Etc.

Any info is great!

 

I added plugs and wires and didn't feel anything from the butt dyno...But I think there is about a 3hp gain from changing them out.

 

Also, you might want to replace your coil harness, those will tend to go bad sometime... btw-the new ones don't have ground's because they arc back into the coils

 

I am not trying to "Mod" the wires. I am doing maintenance. Since the wires were last changed 30K miles ago, it is time.

 

What is the cost/benefit?

 

i'm not sure what the cost was, i should know dammit. I was recently at Pettit and they threw one on there for me and I haven't received the invoice yet. I didn't bother asking them as I was really busy assembling my engine and everything on it, the benefit's are that it could save your coils, and you are in there so why not do it now

 

Some people have noticed that it helps out *if* they are having some high rpm breakup. If the wires are still original and you are over 60k miles, I would definitely think about changing them (especially with our under hood temps).


As far as cleaning the UIM and Throttle Body, you can use Carb Cleaner and a brush.

 

I had a problem with the harness arcing with the plug whn it fired, I just moved teh harness ground to a different location.

 

the ignition coil harness at cost was 70$ and it is groundstrap-less. Makes also for an easier install.. heh. I'd replace that as most do arc and get fried and baked over time.

Replacing the plug wires with aftermarket ones should give a cleaner spark, it will sometimes clean up any rough spots or hesitations you might have had. And while you are under there, make sure that hose job was done... some people like saying they did, just to ease buyers minds..

 

Just did the plugs & wires friday evening. Lost a lot of time trying to loosen the coolant hose on the bottom side of the throttle body, and the underside screw of the oil filler was stripped. Took me 3 hours, 1 hour of which was spent dicking around with those two things. Fortunately you don't really need to pull the oil filler neck, and loosening the screws that I could loosen helped give enough space.

Q1: a sharp penknife. The plug wire boots were pretty well stuck to the housing on the coil side, and using a knife to cut them off first was a huge help.

Q2: There is an o-ring seal b/t the intake elbow and TB, and a flat gasket b/t the TB and manifold. Neither appeared to need replacement and I haven't heard of doing so. My car has 53k.

Q4: I've used carb cleaner on the TB of my Nissan Maxima, but the valves on my RX-7 didn't have the same black carbon buildup the Nissan did. Only saw a little bit of varnish-like stain on one inlet. Didn't touch it though as the sealing edges of the valves looked clean.

Dave

 

Thanks All,

"Doing life" has kept me from doing this job so far, but I will keep all your suggestions in mind when I do.

Will let you know how it turned out.