? about changing spark plugs
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 309
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From: Tucson, AZ
? about changing spark plugs How hard is it to change the spark plugs compared to changing rotors? The reason I ask is because I used to take my car into the shop for any work that needed to be done to it but I've moved and haven't found a new mechanic yet. This past weekend I took off my rotors and changed my brake pads on my own without too much difficulty(there were a couple bolts my boyfriend had to break loose for me). I bought NGK TR-55 spark plugs for my car over a month ago and I can't talk my boyfriend into changing them so I was thinking about chaning them myself but I don't want to get in over my head.
Also, is it okay to leave the NGK's gapped the same as I bought them?
Thanks
Also, is it okay to leave the NGK's gapped the same as I bought them?
Thanks
The NGK's come gaped prety close. They should be .060. Changing takes about 2 hours the first time. The instructions can be found on installuniversity.com. Take your time and have a friend for moral support. Do the passenger side first to keep confidence up and see progress, then tackle the driver side. It is not that hard. I'm afraid to do brakes and I think the install was easy.
remove the air tubes if you still have them and drivers side is a cake walk. If you have small arms you can get to the passenger side as well, but it is a lot easier if you remove the valve cover on that side! Or you can get under the car which also works!
I always found that getting the last one on the pass side is easier gettin it from the bottom of the car. Saves alot of nicks and scratches.. All the others shouldnt be too bad. Good luck.
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I have MAC ML's and its easy....but that **** about 2 hours is crap...(not to put u down davered00ss)....it took me about an 1hour 15min.....aslong as u have ramps....the farthest plug on the pass. side(if ur standin in front of ur car which u will be) is SO EASY from underneath and the rest i just angled my ratchit correctly and yanked em right out...no biggy at all
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Originally Posted by blkbird
I always found that getting the last one on the pass side is easier gettin it from the bottom of the car. Saves alot of nicks and scratches.. All the others shouldnt be too bad. Good luck.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 309
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From: Tucson, AZ
I'm going to print out the guide from Installuniversity.com and give it a shot today. Wish me luck! I might be able to tear my boyfriend away from his new car long enough to give me a hand with changing them but I'm not counting on it.
Hopefully by next year I'll be able to do basic things like spark plugs and such to my car without any help. And besides, if I ever break up with my boyfriend I'm going to stay single 
Originally Posted by ddelallata
get yourself a new boyfriend after you're done. preferably one with small hands so that he can help you next year when its time to change the spark plugs again.
Last edited by calys968; Apr 10, 2005 at 01:24 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: San Diego
You should be able to do them all from the top if you remove the coil packs (like 5 10mm bolts to take the whole rail off) and move the AIR out of the way (2 10mm bolts). If you have trouble with number 8, you can take the valve cover off (4 8mm bolts) and lean across the engine to get your hand at the right angle.
With motivation I can change all 8 of my plugs in about 15 min... but I cheat cause I have no heater box or AC...
With motivation I can change all 8 of my plugs in about 15 min... but I cheat cause I have no heater box or AC...
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Joined: Feb 2004
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I changed mine today in about 1.5 hours without removing anything except the plugs and wires and all were changed from the top. Of course I have !AIR and !EGR though. Still, not too bad. Boy my Bosch +4s looked like ***.