How To: Spark Plug Change (1 GR-FE)

Holy crap. Limp mode.

 

Oddly enough it was running strong. But it's way smoother and crisp for now for sure.

 

Thanks for the write up and ideas, went very smoothly

 

Great write up, I've never kept a car/truck long enough to ever have to change my spark plugs. So very easy, can't believe I stressed about it at all


Ended up changing all my air filters, oil, rear diff, and a few other maintenance things too


Old ones:


New vs old
Gapped at .040

 

Looking for some advice. I’m going to tackle this this weekend. What is the best setup to do the driver side spark plugs.

Like how long of an extensions make the job easier and is it better to use a 1/4ths ratchet or a 3/8ths ratchet? Any other tips other than the ones on the initial post. Iv read through like 50 pages of this already.

 

I would not do it without the 3/8” GearWrench magnetic spark plug socket with the swivel extension. You can always add extensions to that as you need.

 

Thanks. I picked one of those up from the auto parts store. Should makes things easy.

 

If your mechanically inclined at all, it’s not that difficult. Just take your time.

 

Changed my spark plugs yesterday. Overall it went pretty good thanks to this thread and everyone’s advice. Had my previous spark plugs changed at around 33,000 miles by a shop (wish I found this thread earlier). Just changed them at 74,000 so they were overdue. Checked all the gaps on the old ones. They were all at .043 except for the driver side middle one which was oddly at .050. They were all densos.

Do they look good? Anything that pops out that is concerning?
Top is pass front to rear (left to right) bottom is driver from to rear (left to right)

Also when screwing in the new plugs is it noticeable if you cross threaded them while torqueing them down? I think they all went in correctly.

 

It is difficult to see the electrodes but they all appear evenly colored with nothing of particular concern showing in the picture. If you want to check more closely just do a search on the internet for pictures of how a spark plug looks from a well running engine and you will get your comparison pretty easy.

As for cross threading, it happens when you first start to turn the plug. If you are starting it by hand then typically it will not turn by hand unless you have it threaded correctly. Cross threading occurs most often when someone uses a ratchet or other mechanical help without tightening by hand first. So, assuming that you were able to thread the plugs in by hand and turn them quite a few turns until they snugged up, finishing them off with a torque wrench to 15lbs then you are all set.

As for the one spark plug gapped off at .50, that was most likely installed that way and the mechanic who installed it neglected to check all the plugs for gap when they were removed from the packaging.

 

Yes, start them by hand and you can very quickly feel if they are not going in correctly. I use a rubber hose type thing that goes over the white insulator part of the plug so I can drop the plug down in the hole and start them by hand so I can feel that they are going in correctly.

 

I used a magnetic spark plug socket with an extension attached and hand treaded it. It treaded in pretty easily then I torqued them down to 15ft/lbs.

Yeah that’s what I figured with that one larger gap.

Thanks for the help.

 

just did my 90k ∆ today. feels good to save $ and fall back on this write up.

 

Subd, going to do the ol oil change and spark plugs this weekend

 

I did the spark plugs today. It wasn't that bad and I really like the write-up.

 

Just did mine at 70k



the drivers side plugs were in worst condition as the gaps were pretty big.
All the new plugs went it at .40 gap.

took about an hour but I took my time since this was the first time I’ve done them.

I truly believe changing the plugs at 30k is overkill

also, just a quick tip to prevent crossthreading: once you put the spark plug in, go in reverse for a few turns until you hear it “click” ( that’s when it sets itself correctly) and then start tightening.

 

Just replaced my plugs today at 65k. Not sure if the dealer replaced them at 30k..I cleaned the throttle body as well, which looked like it was needed a while back. A long with the mass air flow sensor. The truck definitely feels quicker. As soon as I put my foot on the pedal, there's very little to no hesitation. Thanks for the write up. On to the transmission & coolant.

 

Beware of buying fake spark plugs on Amazon:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr9J3eQk-kE&feature=youtu.be

 

It’s been about 30k so I got some new plugs from Advance Auto. The porcelain on one of them is cracked. I’ll have to exchange it. Glad I checked!!!

 

Just did mine again at 35k. They all gapped right around 45 thousands. I think the brown burning marks are from the dialectic grease that I used last time. I opted not to use it this time.