99 Trooper spark plug - Tune up
metomwhou
05-25-2008, 06:49 PM
Hey Guys,
I've been noticing my fuel mileage getting worse and worse over the last year and with gas prices always going up, I decided I'd change the plugs, oil and air filter on my Trooper and Neon, sort of a mini tune up. The Trooper has 86k on it now and so far has run pretty good. The Neon has 45k and it does ok for a gutless wonder!
I was able to change the oil and air filters in both vehicles in 30minutes flat, a new personal record for me!! The first 9 plugs came out and went back in pretty easily too. It wasn't until I got to the last cylinder on the drivers side next to the firwall/master brake cylinder that I had any real problems. First little screw came out easy, the second screw, closest to the firewall was a real bear. I finally got it loose with a tiny open wrench I found in my hobby box. So now I go to put the socket and extender into the hole, nope, too long because of the angle and proximity to the master cylinder. What to do?? Well I took the rubber grommet out of the socket, dropped it in, put the big extender on and cranked it loose, then by some random act of god was able to us a shorter extender to loosen it the rest of the way. I used a big magnet to pull the plug out and after putting the new plug in, used the same magnet to pull the socket out.
I put everything back together except for the last small screw next to the fire wall, will this affect anything?
All the plugs were dry and I gapped the new plugs to what the old plugs were gapped at.
After finally getting that last plug out, I was bushed. There has to be an easier way to do it. If not, then the guys at the stealership deserve every penny they charge for that headache!!
Anyway, I'll eventually post some pics of the plugs and maybe get some feedback from you guys. Till then, happy motoring and happy Memorial Day!
Tom
I've been noticing my fuel mileage getting worse and worse over the last year and with gas prices always going up, I decided I'd change the plugs, oil and air filter on my Trooper and Neon, sort of a mini tune up. The Trooper has 86k on it now and so far has run pretty good. The Neon has 45k and it does ok for a gutless wonder!
I was able to change the oil and air filters in both vehicles in 30minutes flat, a new personal record for me!! The first 9 plugs came out and went back in pretty easily too. It wasn't until I got to the last cylinder on the drivers side next to the firwall/master brake cylinder that I had any real problems. First little screw came out easy, the second screw, closest to the firewall was a real bear. I finally got it loose with a tiny open wrench I found in my hobby box. So now I go to put the socket and extender into the hole, nope, too long because of the angle and proximity to the master cylinder. What to do?? Well I took the rubber grommet out of the socket, dropped it in, put the big extender on and cranked it loose, then by some random act of god was able to us a shorter extender to loosen it the rest of the way. I used a big magnet to pull the plug out and after putting the new plug in, used the same magnet to pull the socket out.
I put everything back together except for the last small screw next to the fire wall, will this affect anything?
All the plugs were dry and I gapped the new plugs to what the old plugs were gapped at.
After finally getting that last plug out, I was bushed. There has to be an easier way to do it. If not, then the guys at the stealership deserve every penny they charge for that headache!!
Anyway, I'll eventually post some pics of the plugs and maybe get some feedback from you guys. Till then, happy motoring and happy Memorial Day!
Tom
fourwd1
06-05-2008, 10:41 AM
Are you talking about the screws that hold the coil packs on?
You really should have them all on to ensure a good connection to the plug.
You can get a mis-fire code if the connection isn't as good as it should be.
Also, don't get the coil packs mixed up. One is slightly different from the other 5.
You really should have them all on to ensure a good connection to the plug.
You can get a mis-fire code if the connection isn't as good as it should be.
Also, don't get the coil packs mixed up. One is slightly different from the other 5.
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