Spark plug changing question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 129
From: San Marcos, Texas
Spark plug changing question
Went to town this morning and picked up some new spark plugs for my 2006 LS2. It looked like it was going to be a relatively easy and straight forward job.
I decided to start with the easiest looking plug to build a little confidence.....I can't seem to be able to get the plug wire off. I twisted, turned, and pulled the wire and it does not seem to want to come off. Is there some kind of a tool that you are supposed to use that grabs onto the heat shield around the spark plug? Any tips would be appreciated. I'm trying to advance my mechanical skills but having a few bumps along the way. Thank in advance.
I decided to start with the easiest looking plug to build a little confidence.....I can't seem to be able to get the plug wire off. I twisted, turned, and pulled the wire and it does not seem to want to come off. Is there some kind of a tool that you are supposed to use that grabs onto the heat shield around the spark plug? Any tips would be appreciated. I'm trying to advance my mechanical skills but having a few bumps along the way. Thank in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 14
From: Tulalip WA
Pretty much.It's not all that hard. Grab boot and pull it straight out. It just snaps on, very easy to remove. It's so easy my little sister could do it, well if I had one.
What plugs did you go with?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 129
From: San Marcos, Texas
Well OK I'm off to give that boot a strong tug. I did get the anti-seize compound but I did not get the dielectric grease. Might have to make another trip to town but I am used to this during my learning stage.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 129
From: San Marcos, Texas
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 14
From: Tulalip WA
When I changed out my plugs and wires last fall I did not put any anti-seize on my plug threads. There seems to be a big debate about anti-seize used on newer vehicles. As a matter of fact, I've never put anti-seize on any plug thread for the past 30 years. Never had a problem, but agian plugs didn't last 50K miles either.
This is one I remember reading. There are others but I need to wash my wife's SUV now.
Read post #17. Actually, read them all. 
Changing Spark Plugs.. Input Please
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ut-please.html
This is one I remember reading. There are others but I need to wash my wife's SUV now.
Read post #17. Actually, read them all. Changing Spark Plugs.. Input Please
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ut-please.html
Last edited by RAT; Oct 17, 2010 at 02:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 129
From: San Marcos, Texas
Well OK, I did get the first one off.....but it was in the easiest location. I have an idea that my hands are going to be a bloody mess by the time I finish this job. Onward through the fog.
Onward through the fog.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 14
From: Tulalip WA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,966
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From: Wichita Falls Tx
I'm surprised no one suggested that you buy a plug wire puller. They are cheap and no need to cut your hands up. There are different types on Amazon so you can see what they look like. A decent parts store should stock them.
Last edited by TexasMadMan; Oct 17, 2010 at 02:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 129
From: San Marcos, Texas
I got the first plug out and now I have problem number 2. I watched the AZone guy pull up the part number and he brought me those AC Delco plugs. The plug I pulled out has a different number on it.
plug out of the car 12621258 41-110
AZone plug 12571164 41-985 Box says AC Delco Iridium
They look the same but I am not sure about using these. The plug I pulled out looks great for 100,000 miles, gap is still at .040
UPDATE......this is the correct plug. Part number has changed. Drivers side spark plug bank is done! Only one bad knuckle scrape so far.
plug out of the car 12621258 41-110
AZone plug 12571164 41-985 Box says AC Delco Iridium
They look the same but I am not sure about using these. The plug I pulled out looks great for 100,000 miles, gap is still at .040
UPDATE......this is the correct plug. Part number has changed. Drivers side spark plug bank is done! Only one bad knuckle scrape so far.
Last edited by beaversstonehaven; Oct 17, 2010 at 03:58 PM. Reason: Found my answer
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 129
From: San Marcos, Texas
Job has been completed. Took me about 3 hrs. I don't know if it my imagination or not but the car does seem to idle a little smoother. I'm not sure I would do this job again, it was a pretty good chalenge for me, but at least I know everything was done right.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 9
From: Upstate New York
I'm not surprised, and you may also see some better MPG. In any of the cars I have owned with so called 100K plugs, any time I have started noticing the mileage dropping over time, hesitation, and rougher idle, a plug change has worked wonders - and it was always before the time the manufacturer recommended replacing the plugs. A mechanic friend told me he sees the same thing. The thing is that the degradation is subtle over time so, unless you track MPG or drive someone else's car to compare it to you probably think it's always been this way....until you change the plugs and then it's like WOW - it's a new car again.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,619
Likes: 4
From: Houston TX
OK I TOO AM getting brave about this endeavour. C6 Z51 94,000 miles. I got a dealer asking $500 for a plug/wire replacement or I can scrape u pa few knuckles and try myself. I am very scared about stripping the threads. Any advice?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,406
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From: Wilkes-Barre Pa
And those are some of the easiest plugs to change. Last car I changed plugs on the intake manifold had to be removed first.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Wilkes-Barre Pa
Use a spark plug socket and when installing the new plugs make sure the threads are started properly.
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Wilkes-Barre Pa