SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

So last weekend I finally got my plugs and wires replaced on my car. I have the 3800 V6. Took me all afternoon and into the evening, had to remove the front wheels so I could crawl underneath the car to get to a couple of the plugs. Good thing I replaced them though, I've never seen such badly burned plugs as this Could stick a quarter through that gap, even with that stalactite-like buildup on it. Oh yeah, I guess my wires were pretty well shot too, the one just broke in half while I was holding it.

b4c346

yeah ,they look as bad as mine when i changed them.car runs alot better now , and was able to add 3 degrees of timing in it.

TheLS1Kid

iTrader: (12)

I've never have to pull a wheel to change the plugs on a 3800 V6. Seems like you made it harder on yourself.

Anyways glad you got it done and running better.

nsstech

Then you haven't done any pre-2000 models with the ungodly exhaust manifolds.

ghardester

I've had a '97 and a '01 V-6 3800. And as you are finding out, you need to keep an eye on the wires. I'd change them every time I did the plugs. I had a mystery problem that plugs and wires didn't solve and turned out that a bad wire had caused one of the 3 coils in the pack to blow.

You should be able to do the plugs all from the top, but I did the rear 2 from underneath the first time. The 3800 uses something called a waste spark system which I don't recall too much about but I think there is a strong spark on compression and a weak spark again on the down stroke.

TheLS1Kid

iTrader: (12)

Actually it was a 1996 model

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

Those plugs look almost like they were ran with some juice. Kind of look like my plugs did when I burned a piston, just with less metal attached to them.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Ain't that the truth... I saw no way to get to those plugs without going underneath. I spent a good amount of time trying from the top but with no success. And really, who's bright idea was it to put the O2 sensors RIGHT IN THE WAY

Good thing is, the car certainly runs better now! (understatement of the day)