C-5 Plug Change
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 40
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C-5 Plug Change
Yr 2000. Have to admit after reading some of the horror stories about changing plugs and the dreaded #8 I was a little intimidated. To be honest it was NOTHING like I was reading. If it helps anyone, the way I got the heat shields and wires off was by using a medium pair of needle nosed vise grips. Was able to just get the tip of them in between the boot and the shield clipped them shut, & pulled. Most popped right off. One or two I used a long screwdriver as a pry once the vise grip was clipped on. As far as the plugs? I used a basic plug socket, one 4 inch wobble type extension and a 1/2 inch drive ratchet. On certain ones once I got the socket and ratchet on I then used an 11/16 deep socket which slipped over the handle of my ratchet and put a 6 inch extension on it so to give me leverage to break it loose. Had absolutely ZERO problems removing them. Replaced with GM red wires, silicon greased them up and they popped right on. The side that goes to the coil pack( at least with my wires) you'll feel like a double click to get back on. Good luck for anyone attempting and just letting you know Its NOT as difficult as some make it out to be.
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Sounds like the same method I used when I had my '00 and changed the plugs/wires. However, the only plug I had a little trouble getting changed was the #7 one - had to use extensions and a swivel to get it loose.
Your post is a good reminder on what to do when it comes to plug/wire changes.
Your post is a good reminder on what to do when it comes to plug/wire changes.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Dealer wanted $506.50 for plugs and wires installed. Book labor quoted was 3.5 hours.
Never having previoysly done a plug and wire change on a C5 it took me two hours. They do it every day so it probably takes them one or less. I think their labor quote is "generous"?
Anyway, I give myself credit for saving over $400.00 on the job.
Never having previoysly done a plug and wire change on a C5 it took me two hours. They do it every day so it probably takes them one or less. I think their labor quote is "generous"?
Anyway, I give myself credit for saving over $400.00 on the job.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
We all have a trick or two. Mine was to use a 12" pair of needle noise pliers that had an angle. Slipped between the shield and the wire base.
On plug #7...unplug the vacuum hose on the power brake booster and
remove the air hose on the check valve.
On plug #7...unplug the vacuum hose on the power brake booster and
remove the air hose on the check valve.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Dealer wanted $506.50 for plugs and wires installed. Book labor quoted was 3.5 hours.
Never having previoysly done a plug and wire change on a C5 it took me two hours. They do it every day so it probably takes them one or less. I think their labor quote is "generous"?
Anyway, I give myself credit for saving over $400.00 on the job.
Never having previoysly done a plug and wire change on a C5 it took me two hours. They do it every day so it probably takes them one or less. I think their labor quote is "generous"?
Anyway, I give myself credit for saving over $400.00 on the job.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
You used the same tools that I did. I also removed the two bolts that hold the air tube to the manifold and lifted it out of the way. Made the job much easier.
Last edited by BADBIRDCAGE; Jul 22, 2016 at 07:49 AM.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 40
Likes: 11
Dealer wanted $506.50 for plugs and wires installed. Book labor quoted was 3.5 hours.
Never having previoysly done a plug and wire change on a C5 it took me two hours. They do it every day so it probably takes them one or less. I think their labor quote is "generous"?
Anyway, I give myself credit for saving over $400.00 on the job.
Never having previoysly done a plug and wire change on a C5 it took me two hours. They do it every day so it probably takes them one or less. I think their labor quote is "generous"?
Anyway, I give myself credit for saving over $400.00 on the job.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 40
Likes: 11
. Sorry, I should have stipulated that my needle nosed vise grips did have an angle to them. Made it much easier.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
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St. Jude Donor '08
I was amazed at the prices that some of you were quoted! 
That's INSANE!
The SAD part about it is,,, SOME PEOPLE PAY IT!
I've NEVER had an issue with any of them.. Even #8.
BADBIRDCAGE I AGREE! Even taking your time and making the antisieze job nice and neat, 2 hours is a breeze to do it in. I've done it faster.
That's INSANE! The SAD part about it is,,, SOME PEOPLE PAY IT!
I've NEVER had an issue with any of them.. Even #8.
BADBIRDCAGE I AGREE! Even taking your time and making the antisieze job nice and neat, 2 hours is a breeze to do it in. I've done it faster.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
I was amazed at the prices that some of you were quoted! That's INSANE!
The SAD part about it is,,, SOME PEOPLE PAY IT!
I've NEVER had an issue with any of them.. Even #8.
BADBIRDCAGE I AGREE! Even taking your time and making the antisieze job nice and neat, 2 hours is a breeze to do it in. I've done it faster.
That's INSANE! The SAD part about it is,,, SOME PEOPLE PAY IT!
I've NEVER had an issue with any of them.. Even #8.
BADBIRDCAGE I AGREE! Even taking your time and making the antisieze job nice and neat, 2 hours is a breeze to do it in. I've done it faster.
I didn't rush anything and still accomplished the job in two hours. Including the antisieze.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 14
From: Gig Harbor WA
Gilcrist Chevrolet in Tacoma, WA, wanted $600 labor (3.5 hours) to change Corvette spark plugs "because they are a pain to do." I did it in just over an hour, including new plug wires.
As for getting the old wires off, I used a 1x2" piece of wood 18" long, drilled a hole in it, inserted 1/8" rope to form a loop, and levered each wire off in seconds with no damage. (If you slip or crush the wires using pliers, you could damage the wires internally.)
Hope this helps.
As for getting the old wires off, I used a 1x2" piece of wood 18" long, drilled a hole in it, inserted 1/8" rope to form a loop, and levered each wire off in seconds with no damage. (If you slip or crush the wires using pliers, you could damage the wires internally.)
Hope this helps.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Gilcrist Chevrolet in Tacoma, WA, wanted $600 labor (3.5 hours) to change Corvette spark plugs "because they are a pain to do." I did it in just over an hour, including new plug wires.
As for getting the old wires off, I used a 1x2" piece of wood 18" long, drilled a hole in it, inserted 1/8" rope to form a loop, and levered each wire off in seconds with no damage. (If you slip or crush the wires using pliers, you could damage the wires internally.)
Hope this helps.
As for getting the old wires off, I used a 1x2" piece of wood 18" long, drilled a hole in it, inserted 1/8" rope to form a loop, and levered each wire off in seconds with no damage. (If you slip or crush the wires using pliers, you could damage the wires internally.)
Hope this helps.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Mine had, evidently, never been serviced/changed out by a previous owner and had become integral parts of the plug/wire "assembly".
Perhaps if one of the three prior owners had thought to take better care of the car regarding maintenance your system would have worked for me.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 115
Likes: 15
From: IL
Good luck with that when the wires are several years old and baked into the plug shields.
Mine had, evidently, never been serviced/changed out by a previous owner and had become integral parts of the plug/wire "assembly".
Perhaps if one of the three prior owners had thought to take better care of the car regarding maintenance your system would have worked for me.
Mine had, evidently, never been serviced/changed out by a previous owner and had become integral parts of the plug/wire "assembly".
Perhaps if one of the three prior owners had thought to take better care of the car regarding maintenance your system would have worked for me.
Same here. 14yo OEM wires/plugs at 80k. I think they were assembled at factory with epoxy. You could lift the car by the plug boot.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 914
Likes: 182
From: Reidsville North Carolina
I did everything I could, twisting and turning the wrench, trying different sockets and extentions, ect...
Finally I did exactly what you said, got that shizzle out of the way and it came out and back in with no problem.
Live and learn, I guess the first time is always the hardest.
I can probably do the change in half the time, next time.