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How to remove / replace your spark plugs

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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 12:37 PM
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How to remove / replace your spark plugs

I have searched, but no how to. Even though this is change is really simple, I have seen posts asking how to do it. So here it is. Be sure to read though before starting, to make sure you have all the necessary tools to complete it.

Do not gap Iridium plugs are they come pregapped
Copper plugs need to be gapped


notes
Evo 8 2003-2004 shop manual
- spark plug gap = Stock Spark plug gap: 0.7 - 0.8 mm (0.028 - 0.031 inch)


Evo 9 and 2005 shop manual
- Stock spark plug gap 0.5 - 0.6 mm (0.020-0.024 inch)
limit 0.75mm (0.0295 inch)

Most evom users recommend 0.026 inch gap for either evo 8/9

anything above 26psi and you want to be gapped at 0.022 inch

- when tightening the spark plug use a torque of 25Nn +/- 5 or 18 FOOT-lb +/- 4
- coil packs (two black / 3 bolt pieces over 2 spark plugs) tighten to 10Nn +/- 2 or 89 INCH-lb +/- 17
- mitsubishi spark plug cover torque spec 3Nm +/- .5 or 27 INCH-lbs +/- 3
- +/- means: you can add or subtract foot or inch pounds when tighting with a torque wrench
- a spark plug socket is nice and easy(get one), but not necessary

Step 1:
disconnect battery using a 10mm wrench or socket. -always a good idea to remove power while working on the engine. plus once you are done, reconnecting the battery will reset the ecu. w/ fresh plugs in.
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Step 2:
remove engine plug cover. use a phillips head screwdriver or a 10mm socket
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Step 3:
remove spark plug wires and unplug wire harness - use a 10mm socket to remove the 3 screws on the plug
note: the plug wires are set in good. meaning its gonna take some effort / pull to get the wires out. dont be afraid - yank on them
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after plug wire removal you can see the spark plugs set deep in the engine block
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Step 4:
you will need a deep set socket with extension to reach the spark plug in its location. i used size 13/16 deep well socket to reach and unscrew the plug.
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then i used this to remove the plug- not sure what the proper name of this device is, or a slang term, but works like a charm
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or use a much easier tool , a 13/16 spark plug socket






Step 5:
replace your old spark plugs with new ones
i have read that its recommended to replace your iridium spark plugs every 6 months.
and change the copper plugs every 3 months

i used the cheap, but effective copper NGK BPR7ES as easy replacement for a car with less than 300whp. ie stock





Step 6:
put everything back together, reconnect battery and feel the difference. it amazes me the simple changes that you can do to this vehicle to see or feel it running better.

Last edited by Jakeg97; Aug 2, 2007 at 04:24 AM.
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 12:58 PM
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i cant beleive that your plugs looked that bad after 3500 miles. i have 10k and i am gonna change mine this weekend. thanks for the great how to. good description, and great pictures.
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 01:05 PM
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Holy rich condition batman!! You need some fuel tuning brotha. There is no way plugs should look like that after 3500 miles.

And changing plugs every 6 months is just crazy, my car has 40k modded miles and my stock plugs still look new.
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 01:14 PM
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The spark plugs on my old ford explorer didn't look that bad after I put 40k miles on it, and plus however many miles the previous owner put on them.
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 01:23 PM
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wow, new plugs at 3k?

stock are Iridium and suppose to last a lot longer.

any noticable gains w/ NGK coppertips? gapping require?
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 01:42 PM
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The stockers are suppose to last 60,000 miles.
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 01:48 PM
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Do yourself a favor and get a spark plug socket. Not that you can't use your little grappler, but it'll be easier with a spark plug socket.

Also you forgot to mention the amount of torque to tighten the spark plugs and check the gap. Yes they come pre-gapped, but every once in a while, the gap is off for one reason or another.
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by evolved04
i cant beleive that your plugs looked that bad after 3500 miles. i have 10k and i am gonna change mine this weekend. thanks for the great how to. good description, and great pictures.
sorry posted wrong pic - those were the plugs after 200 miles of ses light safe mode
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 05:33 PM
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other pictures of the condition of my spark plugs - before the change
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=115144
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 05:38 PM
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I checked my plugs at 10,000 and they looked perfect. I can not imagine replacing them at six months unless you race.
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by spyderx
wow, new plugs at 3k?

stock are Iridium and suppose to last a lot longer.

any noticable gains w/ NGK coppertips? gapping require?
no gapping required , i noticed a better acceleration. its not much, but the car responds better than my original fouled ones.
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by turbotiger
Do yourself a favor and get a spark plug socket. Not that you can't use your little grappler, but it'll be easier with a spark plug socket.

Also you forgot to mention the amount of torque to tighten the spark plugs and check the gap. Yes they come pre-gapped, but every once in a while, the gap is off for one reason or another.
that sounds like a good idea.

if you want to check gap. anything between .028 - .031 will work.

if you want to torque your plugs (recommended) 25 nm or 18 ft-lb
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by sr20det91
Holy rich condition batman!! You need some fuel tuning brotha. There is no way plugs should look like that after 3500 miles.

And changing plugs every 6 months is just crazy, my car has 40k modded miles and my stock plugs still look new.
this pic is with the engine running in safe mode for 200 miles. rich is right , i was getting 5 mpg!

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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 06:55 PM
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Is anti-sieze compound on the plug threads not recommended on the evo?
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Old Jan 17, 2005 | 07:15 PM
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thanks for the quick write up man ive been meaning to do mine but i havent got around it yet
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