Spark plugs. Where are they?

Loungerist · 02-17-2005, 09:06 PM

I'm trying to give my 93 Grand Am a much needed tune-up but I don't know how to change the spark plugs and wires. How do I get to them? I assume they are somewhere inside the engine block itself but I don't know where. This is my first time trying to change plugs and wires so the more detail the better. It has a V6 engine

FormulaLT1 · 02-17-2005, 10:13 PM

They are screwed into your cylinder heads. Just follow your spakr plug wires to find them. Also I SERIOUSLY recommend buying a service manual and make yourself familiar with your engine compartment before attempting any work. Welcome to the forum

John

Loungerist · 02-17-2005, 11:16 PM

I have a manual but it doesn't explain how to find them. Where are the cylinder heads in relation to the engine? I thought you had to remove a plate or something to access the plugs. Or better yet,is there anywhere on the web I could find like a step by step guide? Because I figure this gets asked alot with this model car and the manual doesn't exactly correspond with what's under my hood as far as the plugs are concerned.

Thanks for the welcome.

FormulaLT1 · 02-17-2005, 11:35 PM

Follow the spark plug wires to the spark plugs and look at the plugs in the front. Good Luck

John

GTP Dad · 02-18-2005, 05:24 AM

What size engine do you have? If you have a 2.3 or 2.4 engine the spark plugs are located under the center cover of the engine. The ignition coil and plug wires are integrated into one assembly. To get to the plugs, remove the four bolts that hold the cover on and gently pull the cover off. The plugs will be located in the center of the head. Make sure you check the ignition coil and module for any problems while you have it apart. It appears that these things fail often and need to be inspected. If you have a V6 then you can find the plugs like Formula LT1 said by following the plug wires.

FormulaLT1 · 02-18-2005, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loungerist

It has a V6 engine

According to them its a V6, thats why I made the pic.

John

Loungerist · 02-18-2005, 11:39 AM

OK,that picture looks alot closer to my situation. I can see the spark plug wire boots but I can see no sign of the spark plugs themselves so I'm not sure how to access them. And the back wire boots all have metal chambers around them. I'm confused here as to how you're supposed to remove these so you can get to the spark plug.

GTP Dad · 02-18-2005, 11:47 AM

These are shields to protect the wire boots as well as to prevent stray voltage from affecting the ignition system. When you put your hand on the top of the boot simply grasp and pull. You may need to move it from side to side to get it to come loose. Just don't grasp the wire going into the end of the boot. It may also be necessary to grasp the boot gently with a pair of pliers to pull them off. Make sure you change the plugs with the engine completely cold. If you have aluminum heads a warm engine can be damaged while trying to remove and insert plugs in warm heads. Also, you may want to put some anti-seize on the threads of the plugs to keep them from sticking in the heads. Also, put a little di-electric grease in the boots before putting them back on to prevent water from getting inside and they go back on easier too.

Loungerist · 02-18-2005, 08:13 PM

Thanks. Just at a glance the shield openings look too small to fit the tools in the reach the spark plugs,but hopefully the weather will permit me to try again this weekend.

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