question.. clean engine/new plugs
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
From: Johnston, Iowa
"clean the engine"
on the inside: seafoam through the vaccuum line to the intake from the brake booster side of the line...
on the outside: use a new paintbrush, the ones you use when painting a room or your house, etc...
Changing plugs on a C5 is incredibly simple. You can get to all 8 from top of the engine and dont have to drop the starter or crawl under the car like I've had to do on a 4th gen F-Body.
No problems.
on the inside: seafoam through the vaccuum line to the intake from the brake booster side of the line...
on the outside: use a new paintbrush, the ones you use when painting a room or your house, etc...
Changing plugs on a C5 is incredibly simple. You can get to all 8 from top of the engine and dont have to drop the starter or crawl under the car like I've had to do on a 4th gen F-Body.
No problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
From: Branchburg, NJ
Originally Posted by xlr8shn
Changing plugs on a C5 is incredibly simple. You can get to all 8 from top of the engine and dont have to drop the starter or crawl under the car like I've had to do on a 4th gen F-Body.
No problems.
No problems.
Hard enough that I couldn't do it!!
What gives?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
Clean engine: spray "Simple Green" on every thing - let sit for a little - wash everything off w/ a pressure washer - Now, take your leaf blower and blow off/out the entire engine compartment to remove the water beads completely.
Changing spark plugs: The back one on the drivers side (I believe it's number 7) can be a PIA due to cramped quarters, small space, etc. Some have suggested a special Snap on Flex spark plug socket for ease in changing that plug. Or perhaps a swivel socket. It can be done, just don't get in a rush.
Also, put anti-seeze compound on the spark plug threads before installing the new plugs into the heads.
Changing spark plugs: The back one on the drivers side (I believe it's number 7) can be a PIA due to cramped quarters, small space, etc. Some have suggested a special Snap on Flex spark plug socket for ease in changing that plug. Or perhaps a swivel socket. It can be done, just don't get in a rush.
Also, put anti-seeze compound on the spark plug threads before installing the new plugs into the heads.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 94legaleagle
Clean engine: spray "Simple Green" on every thing - let sit for a little - wash everything off w/ a pressure washer - Now, take your leaf blower and blow off/out the entire engine compartment to remove the water beads completely.
Changing spark plugs: The back one on the drivers side (I believe it's number 7) can be a PIA due to cramped quarters, small space, etc. Some have suggested a special Snap on Flex spark plug socket for ease in changing that plug. Or perhaps a swivel socket. It can be done, just don't get in a rush.
Also, put anti-seeze compound on the spark plug threads before installing the new plugs into the heads.
Changing spark plugs: The back one on the drivers side (I believe it's number 7) can be a PIA due to cramped quarters, small space, etc. Some have suggested a special Snap on Flex spark plug socket for ease in changing that plug. Or perhaps a swivel socket. It can be done, just don't get in a rush.
Also, put anti-seeze compound on the spark plug threads before installing the new plugs into the heads.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Also, as a helpful tip, be careful of sraying highly pressurized water over the electronics in the engine bay. In fact, trouble codes for failing knock sensors (commonly knock sensor number 2) which are located in the base of the intake manifold (on top of the engine), have been known to be thrown because of water collecting, rusting and damaging the seals around the perimeter of the air intake manifold knock sensors (refer to the TSB's) in this area, due to those who frequently spray wash their engines.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,232
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
I would be very careful when puting the new plugs in. You don't want to cross thread them, and then you have a real nightmare.
BTW, I have a 98 that only has 13,000 miles. It doesn't go out in the rain or snow. The engine bay looks like new, I just wipe dust off with a towel. It has occurred to me, that even though it has so few miles and no dirt in the engine bay, if I should change the plugs anyway. I wouldn't want a problem taking the old ones out from being in there so long.
BTW, I have a 98 that only has 13,000 miles. It doesn't go out in the rain or snow. The engine bay looks like new, I just wipe dust off with a towel. It has occurred to me, that even though it has so few miles and no dirt in the engine bay, if I should change the plugs anyway. I wouldn't want a problem taking the old ones out from being in there so long.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: midwest city okla
I just changed my plugs and wires on Sunday,#7 is a pita my right hand looks like I beat it with a meat clever.All the rest were easy to do.I have'nt washed my engine I just wipe it off when I detail the car,I have a hood seal that helps alot.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
What plugs are you guys using? NGK 55's?
What about wires? I have 46.7k on mine.. wondering if I should them as well.
Sorry for the hijack...
What about wires? I have 46.7k on mine.. wondering if I should them as well.
Sorry for the hijack...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
Originally Posted by C5 ChemE
Maybe it's just me, but I had an "incredibly" hard time getting my hands into the little spaces required to change the plugs and wires.
Hard enough that I couldn't do it!!
What gives?
Hard enough that I couldn't do it!!
What gives?
it takes a little work and some bloody knuckles, but with the right combination of swivle sockets and extensions, you can get them all done, #7 is the worst (back driver's side). passenger side is pretty easy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
From: Johnston, Iowa
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
What plugs are you guys using? NGK 55's?
What about wires? I have 46.7k on mine.. wondering if I should them as well.
What about wires? I have 46.7k on mine.. wondering if I should them as well.
After supercharging: NGK TR6 @ .035"
My car came with MSD wires. I would have kept the stockers so long as there were no cracks