hello all!.....I'm thinking of changing my car's spark plugs on my own. I'm wondering is there any DIY on changing sparkplugs on our USLancers? (trying to save money)....and tips are welcome too.

do you guys also rotate your tires on your own? if so, would you share how you guys do it?

thanx.

 

OK, here we go.

Remove the easy two spark plug boots by pulling them. Remove the coil packs by unscrewing the bolts and then pulling them. Now, get a handy spark plug socket (basically a socket with foam inside to grip the plug) and an extension (they're in pretty deep) and a rachet. Unscrew them and remove gently. Make sure the plugs have the correct gap, and simply screw them in. Don't go too tight. Simply replace the boots and you're done.

Tire rotation: there are different ways. My tires are side specific, so they just go from back to front. For stock tires, just put the driver front on the passenger rear and the passenger front on the driver rear. Move the rears up to the front, but keep them on the sides they started on (otherwise you only put them through 2 positions). Do this every 7 thousand miles.

 

If it's still left over from the old server, Road///Race or Billy (not sure which) did a whole article including pics on sparks plugs. Anyway, I tried it and it was easy. I can't believe mechanics get like $50-100 in labor for things like this.

 

haha go change the spark plugs in a GM car...like a 94 v6 cavalier or my 95 grandam v6....

that **** is nuts....u gotta take apart half the engine to get to the rear 3 plugs...no lie.

 

I took one look at the valve cover and said forget it on my Trans Am. Much easier with the Mitsu

 

haha go change the spark plugs in a GM car...like a 94 v6 cavalier or my 95 grandam v6....

that **** is nuts....u gotta take apart half the engine to get to the rear 3 plugs...no lie.

Funny you said that, cuz my dad was looking at the '04 Malibu and refused to buy the car once he looked in the engine bay and said pretty much the same %&%*&!?@#%$* thing

 

Remove the easy two spark plug boots by pulling them. Remove the coil packs by unscrewing the bolts and then pulling them. Now, get a handy spark plug socket (basically a socket with foam inside to grip the plug) and an extension (they're in pretty deep) and a rachet. Unscrew them and remove gently. Make sure the plugs have the correct gap, and simply screw them in. Don't go too tight. Simply replace the boots and you're done.

Don't forget to torque it to specs with a torque wrench if you have one or 1/2 to 3/4 turns once its finger tighten. I would also recommend you apply die-electric grease to the boot and plug to prevent arcing and moisture protection.

 

1. do you guys have to check the gap of spark plugs eventhough they came out of the box?
2. What is the tourqe spec to tight the sparkplug?
3. And how to accurately tourqe the Sparkplug?

thanx guys

 

DON'T FORGET THE ANTI SEIZE trust me. sometimes the plugs will be so tight without antiseize you think someone welded it in a little dab of antiseize will make them easy to get out next time

 

1. do you guys have to check the gap of spark plugs eventhough they came out of the box? Yes, plugs are made for more than one model of cars
2. What is the tourqe spec to tight the sparkplug? Usually 14 ft/lbs, but check for Mitsu specs
3. And how to accurately tourqe the Sparkplug? Use a torque wrench rachet or visual 1/2-3/4 turn after finger tightening

DON'T FORGET THE ANTI SEIZE trust me. sometimes the plugs will be so tight without antiseize you think someone welded it in a little dab of antiseize will make them easy to get out next time YES and NO, if the plugs use a compression washer you do not need anti-seize, but if it doesn't you may use, but theres much controversy concerning using anti-seize on spark-plugs, Dailmer-Chrysler has a TSB advising their mechanics not to use because of the plugs becoming loose with vibration ...so it up to you, I don't use it because 14 ft/lbs is not alot of torque, using die-electric grease is more important.