GTA: Gonna Change spark plugs, any input

[JonathanPrem]

Finally i got around to buying some spark plugs for pretty sick price NGK plat for 6 bucks & they also had NGK Iridium for about 18 and laser plat for 27 but thats listed price,they'll actually give it to for new price . So this weekend im planning on changing my spark plugs but Want to now the exact steps. I did see a diagram on another thread but that pictures seem way to easy compared to the actually thing.

If some one is willing to give me step by step.

please and thanks

[Qxxx4]

your manual should have exact spots where the plugs are...im pretty sure you know how to do the rest right? pull off the wire (holding the boot), gap your new plug to the spec in the manual, use an air compressor to blow off any dirt/crap around the plug so it doesnt go into the motor, then remove the old plug very gently with a spark plug socket. the new ones should be torqued no more than 22 ft lbs (at least thats what my manual said).Then replace your wire (we used some sort of grease...dielectric grease? correct me?) to seal the area better and improve conductivity.

Someone posted a sketch from what looked like the manual of the exact plug locations for the 3.5 somewhere on this forum. Your lucky you dont have the pesky #6 plug like my 3.3...what a pain!

did you go with the iridium? I paid close to 60 for 6 at Canadian Tire

[JonathanPrem]

60$ for 6 . Which one did you get and no i didnt get iriduim. they didnt have any in stock and plus im kind need the money for shock and sturts too. They have monroe specterval(ithink that whats it called ) for 100(again list price will give it for net price). that place seems to be cheaper then partsource

[02pathy]

stay clear of Monroe unless u r getting the actual Monroe, apprarently the one being sold at Canadian tire is made for them pretty much cheaper quality, but if u go to an actual quality parts store u can get the good one, so i have been told over the years but i have kybs with no complains

about the plugs they r easy, all you have to do is loosen the bolt on each coil and pull them up, unscrew plug..., the #6 is where u have 4 bolts on the throttle body to remove and a gasket to replace if u want, think it was a metal gasket for about $20 at dealer, can't remember disconnect ur electrical connector if u like but not the coolant lines, clean throttle body with throttle body or air intake cleaner if u want

[Qxxx4]

i got NGK Iridium for $60 for all 6 at canadian tire

[Densetsu]

Check out Canadian Tire, Partsource (which is just Canadian Tire), and NAPA. If you can't find 'em, Canadian Tire can check stock in all the Canadian Tire and Partsource stores around town for a place that does have them.

I recommend NGK Iridium too, as will almost everyone else on Pathy forums. $60 but well worth it.

Edit: Right now Partsource has 20% off all NGK plugs, save ya $12.

[W O T]

I just did mine on the 3.5 about a month ago

Pretty easy (if you do it my way). First take a peek and see where all the ignition coils are (there all visible)

Passenger side is a breeze, 10mm and a plug socket is all you need. Drivers side is "tricky", 2 plugs are no problem, but there one directly under the throttle body. When I asked here if I had to remove my t/b everyone said yes, I guess cause the manual says to, but I found a MUCH easier way.

You gotta take out your air box first anyways to get access, but right under the t/b, theres a little black/blue unit (IACV) thats held on with 2 screws, undo the harness plug and wiggle it out

DO NOT pry it with a screwdriver, it was tight in there and took me a minute, but there is an oring right at the seal, dont wanna damage it. After you pop that out you can pull the ignition coil and plug no problem (its tight, but no half a** stuff required)

Or you can opt to pull the t/b off and have really easy access, but thats alotta work. Your choice

And as for spark plugs, I cheaped out and went the free way, my buddy gets champion plugs for free, and they make an expensive plug for the vq so I got them from him. Work just fine so far, and they only retailed for like $10/each

good luck

[W O T]

btw you can check out the threads I made on the plug swap, I posted a few pics that may be helpful to ya for locations and iacv

I did have to replace a coil pack when I did mine though, #1 coil was brittle and when I tugged it, it came apart, I was told it was rebuildable for like $20, but I just bought a new one for $60

[JonathanPrem]

Thanks for the tips guys. mostly im gonna get screwed over the last one on driver side. I tried to take of the TB to clean it since it never was cleaned. I might of actually stripped the bolt. Guess i have to try go underneath the TB or give it a shot again. And again Thanks you guys for the tips.

Thanks mates,Jonathan

EDIT: BTW i got it from a part store called Collins (Sheppard/mMCown) in Scarborough. It was recommend by someone working at CT auto . They didn't have any and told me to grab it there. You guy should check it out if you in the area

Ps. We should have a GTA meet up some time in May or later on.

[JonathanPrem]

Update-

Just replace the spark plugs. Took about 30-40 mins but only did 5 cause 6th was impossible for me to do.After doing my spark plug my rpm is a bit up for some reason. But now it feels smooth but didn't improve on fuel.

[Qxxx4]

mine went up significantly...i got 350kms on highway for 40L (half tank) didnt do the exact numbers yet but i will soon. I got all 6 changed....if you think the #6 on the 3.5 is hard...try the 3.3 LOL

[Mariach]

Alright, i'm gonna sound like a noob.

How do you gap the plugs?

[Qxxx4]

its like a $5 tool at candian mawf***a (canadian tire)

[W O T]

$1.99

Its a metal circle about the size of a toonie with different thicknesses around it marks .015" - .070" usually

You set the gap (distance from electrode to tip on plug) by either opening or closing that distance until you get the number your manual says to use

[JonathanPrem]

One more thing i forgot. I kinds broke the screw on the coil pack on # 5 . its just sitting on top but how do you notice if its not firing.