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Wow Mazda. Really? Why!!?!? #@!#%#@$ (AKA Changing spark plug wires)

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Old 09-13-10, 04:58 PM
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Wow Mazda. Really? Why!!?!? #@!#%#@$ (AKA Changing spark plug wires)

So this is just a little bit of a rant. Anyways, I spent my Sunday afternoon changing spark plug wires. I've been under the UIM before but that was over a year ago, so I'd totally forgotten how mazda shoved the coils into terrible spaces. First the elbow had to come off, and then part way through, I realized I actually needed to take off the oil filler neck (is this really the only way?) to get to one of the coils. But the terrible part was taking off the oil filler neck. That screw on the inside is impossible to get to!! I had to piece together a u joint + adapter + extension to be able to turn it. Once I got that damn neck off everything was fine. Replaced all the wires, and starting piecing things back together.

And then I realize that I can't get the damn neck back on with the two leading wires plugged in. So I had to unplug those stupid things that I took forever getting really really tight. Then i had to put the stupid neck back on and then squeeze my hand through the tiny opening to push the wires back on.

So, after a couple hours and cuts and scrapes, I finally got everything back together. Sometimes I wish I had a honda. Changing plugs is probably like 5 min. Actually it was really fast on my FC too. =(
Old 09-13-10, 05:17 PM
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i love my second gen. sorry about the pain in the *** bro.

look at it this way - you could be me - having found a fuel leak under the UIM, i go to work on the hose and break it completely! now it's at the mechanic cause i'm worried i'm cursed to make it even worse.
Old 09-13-10, 05:18 PM
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Cramped space - check
Bitching at engineers- check
frustrating afternoon -check

Welcome to the fun that is working on a 3rd gen RX7
Old 09-13-10, 05:34 PM
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UIM doesn't have to come off. Remove the throttle body. You can get the front trailing wire off and the new one back on without removing the oil neck.
Old 09-13-10, 05:35 PM
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It's easier to remove the elbow and UIM as one big clump, then you can get to everything.
Old 09-13-10, 05:43 PM
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Changing the Oil takes me like 2 hours,.. I have to take the UIM off,. its faster than taking the elbow and my BBTB off... It makes me hate life.
Old 09-13-10, 05:48 PM
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The more emissions and accessories you delete, the more you will like this car
Old 09-13-10, 05:49 PM
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Changing plugs and wires on these cars is really not that bad of a job. First time is a bit frustrating, but next time is much faster.

Now, the stock fuel filter? that always sucked
Old 09-13-10, 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Sandrock
Changing the Oil takes me like 2 hours,.. I have to take the UIM off,. its faster than taking the elbow and my BBTB off... It makes me hate life.
Changing the oil takes 2 hours?

wtf, it takes me less than 10 minutes.

I dont even remove the greddy elbow to get the filter out.
Old 09-13-10, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 1QWIK7
Changing the oil takes 2 hours?

wtf, it takes me less than 10 minutes.

I dont even remove the greddy elbow to get the filter out.
He's being sarcastic dude.
Old 09-13-10, 06:11 PM
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Yea fuel filter sucked...lol...this definitely take second place to that. Changing radiator fans is up there too.

But yea I didn't take off the UIM, just the elbow. It'll be a lot faster next time around.
Old 09-13-10, 06:13 PM
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at least the plug wires don't have to be changed very often.
Old 09-13-10, 06:20 PM
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Nor the plugs. -.-
Old 09-13-10, 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Rotary Experiment Seven
UIM doesn't have to come off. Remove the throttle body. You can get the front trailing wire off and the new one back on without removing the oil neck.
Kinda, maybe, sometimes.

That forward bolt on the oil filler neck is irritatingly difficult even with a flexy-end socket. I often leave it off entirely.

David
Old 09-13-10, 06:43 PM
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Get a 94 filler neck. It was redesigned and that bolt is much easier to reach.
Old 09-13-10, 07:11 PM
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never taken the oil neck off for plug wires.

Oil change- don't remove anything
Spark plugs - elbow
Plug wires - elbow & throttle body
coils - elbow, TB, UIM
Old 09-13-10, 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Rotary Experiment Seven
Get a 94 filler neck. It was redesigned and that bolt is much easier to reach.
Hm. I replaced the cracked original for a used one that was probably from a 93. I downgraded.
Old 09-13-10, 08:55 PM
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Spark Plugs - From underneath (about 10 mins)
Old 09-13-10, 10:13 PM
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this is why when i needed new plug wires i just got charlies7 relocation bracket.....did the whole ordeal and even if i have to replace the plug wires in the future it'll be dumb easy
Old 09-13-10, 10:19 PM
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As far as why are they located there; I have read that it was to reduce wire length and therefore shave a few precious ounces off the weight. It seems incredible but just take a look at the lengths they went to with the stock sway bar mounts.
Old 09-14-10, 03:43 AM
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on a series 8 its easy as to change plugs just have to jack it up much easier from underneath,and the oil filter is easily accessible by removing nothing at all from the top ,still have to jack it up to get to sump plug
Old 09-14-10, 07:56 AM
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There are cars that are harder IMO to work on. Nissan Z32TT will make you appreciate the vast open spaces of the FD engine bay.

Interesting though about that 94 filler neck.
Old 09-14-10, 07:06 PM
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I wonder if I've got the updated filler neck since I have a reman motor from mazda that was installed by a mazda dealer and it was a piece of cake to remove. Wouldn't be the first time I've found something from a 94+ car on mine, but I'm not sure if it was something one of the previous owners did or if it was a mazda thing.

3000GT TT is also a pain in the **** to work on.
Old 09-15-10, 10:12 PM
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All the more reason to relocate them...

Garfinkle makes a very nice plate.
Old 09-15-10, 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by XLR8
All the more reason to relocate them...

Garfinkle makes a very nice plate.
can't find it on the other forum, pm a link?
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