Spark Plug Covers on '99 3800 SII

On our family's 99 3800 SII Grand Prix GT, there are metal spark plug covers with springs over the spark plug wires. Is there any trick to removing them other than brute force? I've managed to pull off the front three and replace the plugs (after 107k miles and never being replaced, boy did they need it), but the back three are proving to be a pain. I've been told that I can unbolt the things latching the engine in place and rock it forward to get to the back plugs, but I'd like to keep that as a last resort.

Thanks in advance.

Brute force and alot of patience. The problem is not the heat shields but the spark plug boot stuck to the tip of the spark plug. Moving the engine forward may help but really doesn't give that much clearance or make the job any easier. Some people have used pliers, channel lock pliers or electrical conduit pliers but that may bend the shields.

With 107K miles it would be a good idea to replace the ignition wires which may get damaged in the process of trying to remove the shields. Also, be sure to use dielectric silicone grease on the new spark plug boot and tip so the next plug change will be easier.

i used a small set of vice grip pliars and clamped it on the rubber part of the actual boot sticking out of the end of the metal shield. I then twisted back and forth untill i felt the rubber from the boot seperate from the spark plug porcelin. Then they came off like a piece of cake.

Some Jack@$$ put NGK wall mart spark plugs in my car. can you believe that? with only 70,000 miles on it, the origonal ac delco plats would have been better to leave in instead of junk wal mart plugs. I replaced them with a set of delco iridium 41-101 plugs and it totally solved my slight misfire at idle.

Some Jack@$$ put NGK wall mart spark plugs in my car. can you believe that? with only 70,000 miles on it, the origonal ac delco plats would have been better to leave in instead of junk wal mart plugs. I replaced them with a set of delco iridium 41-101 plugs and it totally solved my slight misfire at idle.

Note that GTPs VIN "1" were also delivered with NGK double platinum spark plugs from the factory so that would explain why you have or had NGK plugs. Check out the owner's manual at Chapter 6. NGK PTR-4B-15.

Also, the AC Delco 41-101 Iridium are made by NGK for GM.

Thanks! I used the vice grips like you said, and twisted it a bit. Worked like a charm. Just struggling with the last plug on the rear drivers side, and hope to have it all done soon.

Thanks again! You saved my hands lots and lots of pain.

Note that GTPs VIN "1" were also delivered with NGK double platinum spark plugs from the factory so that would explain why you have or had NGK plugs. Check out the owner's manual at Chapter 6. NGK PTR-4B-15.

Also, the AC Delco 41-101 Iridium are made by NGK for GM.

Really? these were not double plats though, they were just junky designer ones 2 for four dollars at wal-mart.

:banghead: this is before i checked here

:) this is me after i found this forum