Sparkplug replacement tutorial needed
 

Well its that time of year I ussaully do a tune up on my cars and I was looking for a walkthrough for replacing sparkplugs on my FD. anyone know of any?

You have to love your car If your willing to spend hours removing components just to reach the sparkplugs.

i dont know why you would replace components to get to the sparkplugs mine were easy to change but hey do what you do.

IMO, it's easier to put the car up on jackstands and change them from underneath. I typically do it while I'm draining my oil. That way I don't remove any of that stuff from the top.

+1

You must work for Yellow Freight IT Dept. with that attitude and lack of knowledge!

I don't know what Yellow Freight IT Dept. is, but I'm able to change my sparkplugs from above without removing any components (note: my car doesn't have a strut tower bar or cruise control). All you need is a stubby socket wrench and a set of Mechanix gloves.


I had to change plugs in the parking lot after work once (long story, don't ask), and it didn't take any more than 10-20 minutes. Once you've done it a few times, you can change them without even having to look down there. Just be smart and replace each plug before you remove the next one; otherwise you might put the wires back in the wrong place.


-s-

+1 for doing it from the bottom while draining oil. i just did this the other day.

Ditto.

I guess most of ya'll missed the fact that the member that wrote the "how to" everyones making fun of also change the plug wires too, not just the plugs.

I'm no expert but I don't see how you could change the plug wires from below at all.

There is nothing obstructing access to the plugs from the bottom. The undercarriage doesn't go back that far and you have direct access to that side of the engine.

You can do it from the bottom easily or from top if you take the elbow off fairly easy.
Tutorial: Jack car up and lay under driver side of motor, slide plug wire off, take one plug out, put one plug in, repeat for other 3. :)

Here are the steps.

1) jack up front of car and get it on jackstands (5 min)
2) crawl under drivers side of car (0 min)
3) look up at the spark plugs (0 min)
4) use deep socked to remove plugs (5 min)
5) put new plugs back in - match leading and trailing plugs with big T and L on the engine block(5 min)
6) get car off jackstands (5min)
7) take a brake and relax with a beer(1 hr)

total time, 20 min!

hopefully, your leading plugs dont look like mine did when I changed them last week

actually that adds up to 1hr 20mins. sounds like a lot of work. :lol:

Spark plug WIRES not spark plugs!

wires or plugs...I dont see how you guys have to take stuff off, or get under the car. I just grab a ratchet and the socket, stick my arm down there, and change em. Pretty quick process.

who said anything about wires? Binary89 asked about plugs.

If you want to change the spark plug wires, thats a whole different can of worms. The whole upper intake track needs to come off before you can even begin to get access to the coils.

I think he's talking about the replies to his comment in post #11

Ah, everyone is talking about plugs, not wires. The OP is asking about plugs. I simply posted the link because it also has information about the plug change as well. Most people don't normally change their spark plug wires every time they change their plugs so there are many times when you'll only change the plugs and not the wires. ;)

I'm sorry for bothering you with my sarcastic negative remark...

I started doing mine from the top. All i had to do was remove the intake elbow.

Yes if you're already doing your oil, then doing the plugs from the bottom is easier cause you're already under there.

But for me to take the jack out, then jackstands, then getting on the floor, it takes too much time.

At least with the intake elbow, 4 little nuts and the plugs are right there ready to be taken out.

I've been doing my plugs from the top without removing stuff. It's easier without the cruise control in there, but all I need to do is sneak one arm past the tb elbow and I can reach them all.

It helps to have a feeling for what's down there, and to change them one at a time so the wires don't get crossed up.

Dave

I do mine from the bottom. I have a lift, but even before that I put the car on stands and access was a piece of cake. Besides, I think it's a good idea to inspect your car from the bottom once in a while.
Do one at a time, be sure to use a little anti-seize, and careful not to get any on the business tip of the plug. Don't go crazy tight, IIRC the FSM only calls for about 15 lb ft torque.
You didn't ask, but I think most here stay with NGK (OEM), Advance Auto etc. all seem to carry them. I don't think platinum versions are worth the extra price, but some people do. If your not heavily modded, stay with the stock heat ranges.

+ 1 for bottom being easier, faster, and a good excuse to inspect that area. Also, there is less chance of damaging the fender while doing the job.