Changing Plugs

Hey There everyone! This has probably been answered a million time but I am having a hard time finding it. I need to change my plugs. I have found I should use the AC delco plugs. I was wondering where I could find these locally. (Autozone, Carquest, O'Reily's, etc.). Also I was wondering if there were any threads or anyone that could help me out. I am learning how to work on my own car but I seemed to have not learned the basics. Basically I need to know what tools I will need, location of plugs, and gap specs. (3.4L V6). Also anything I need to know or do! Thanks and sorry for the stupid question.

the plugs are easy to change bro i just did it a couple weeks ago, your gunna need a spark plug socket and an extension. When it comes to gapping them its really not needed unless your running some serious performance under the hood, if not then you can just leave them be or if you wanna gap them you can get a gap tool from autozone for like 2 bucks. but anyway remove the wires one by one and just match the new ones up its a pretty straight forward install if you want an in detail one let me know ill writ eone up for you when i get home from work. Good luck and if you need anything dont hesistate to ask.

Thanks a lot! I am going to do this tomorrow so I will let you know if I need any help. I appreciate your response

Make sure the motor is cold, I believe the 3.4 has aluminum heads so a cold motor leaves less of a chance to damage the threads. Use anti-seize compound on the threads of the new plugs..just a dab. When you tighten them down, just snug them up, then give about 1/8 turn on the ratchet. You will feel the plugs tighten down then give it just that last 1/8 of a turn to seat them...don't overtighten them, if you have a torque wrench it should be around 15 lb/ft or about 150-160 in/lbs of torque, in case you wish to use a torque wrench.

I do have a torque wrench so I think I will use that just to make sure they are not too tight. . . Thank You

OK Guys I have yet another stupid question for you! I changed my spark plugs or so I think! My question is how many are there? (3.4L) I found the three in the front(closest to front bumper) and changed those. I also pulled the wires on the other end. It looks like there are six more located in the coil packs. If these are plugs and need changing how do you do it? I don't see how you can get them out other than removing the coil packs. I don't understand how you can unscrew them. Can every one tell I do body work and no engine work? :rofl:

There should be (6) total spark plugs 3 facing the front bumper and the three facing the other way. those 3 are a pain in the ass to get out but hey being a mechanic doesnt mean easy shit, anyway the coil pack itself is not a spark plug, its a coil pack lol if you wanted to change them youd have to get a whole new coil pack and if im not mistaken the 3.4L takes 3 coil packs cause its 3 seperate things with 2 prongs on each of them

Just to change the plugs I have to replace all three coil packs? Those things are a bit on the expensive side! There is no way to just pull the coil packs off, pull the plugs out, replace with new ones, and re install the packs?

you dont need to change the coil packs, just remove the boots from the coil packs and put the new boots on it

hello, the back 3 (firewall side) are the same set up as the 3 in the front only difference is you cant see them as easily.pull 1 plug wire off at a time change plug & reinstall wire then move to the next one.Good Luck!!

Alright. . . I am going to give the back three a try probably tomorrow. I will be back on here when I mess it up!!! :)

you'll be ok just take your time

I've found it easiest to do the two plugs closest to the pass side from that side , then reaching the far left one from the drivers side.

A swivle does come in handy for thoseback ones.

Good Luck

Chalk the wheels and rock the car back and forth, this will titlt the motor giving you a little more room.

Chalk the wheels and rock the car back and forth, this will titlt the motor giving you a little more room.


:bs:

If it does, you have other problems... :grinyes:

If it does, you have other problems...

OK good because I was thinking the same thing! I couldn't beleive it would be that easy to shift the engine! :rofl:

I know some GP owners loosen the front motor mounts to get to the rear plug easier, but IMO its a waste of time, about 20 extra minutes.

I guess I do have an advantage reaching things like this, by having longer arms. :lol:

:bs:

If it does, you have other problems... :grinyes:


Ok please share your wisdom! What problem would a car owner have if there motor is moved alittle? On some models you can remove the upper "dog bone" mounts takes 60 seconds and you can get much needed room. Just a tip that even you admitted you know people who do it. So again what is the problem?

Ok please share your wisdom! What problem would a car owner have if there motor is moved alittle? On some models you can remove the upper "dog bone" mounts takes 60 seconds and you can get much needed room. Just a tip that even you admitted you know people who do it. So again what is the problem?

Chalk the wheels and rock the car back and forth, this will titlt the motor giving you a little more room.

If the motor tilts when rocking the car, then the trans mounts are broken or the upper engine mount(s).
Thats' a problem! :eek7:

Thier's nothing wrong with removing the "dog bone" style engine mounts on a 3.1 or 3.8L , but these 3.4's do not have those type of mounts, in that particular location.

Thier's plenty of room back there, you just cant realy see what you'd like to see.

Well I certainly appreciate all the help! I don't think I will ever meet anyone that knows more about GAs. Thank you for sharing your wisdom! :)

No problem Hungrycat7 !

Have a great weekend everyone. :cheers:

OK so I still have not changed the back plugs yet, just the front! But now I am experiencing a problem. I had an SES light on today so I hooked up the code reader and I have a cylinder 2 misfire. My question is what could cause this? Plugs too loose, to tight, gapped wrong? I set the gap at .060 (hopefully that is right) What else could cause this? I am clueless so any help, as always, is very appreciated! By the way I used the AC Delco Iridium plugs as recomended on here.

If you have not changed your plug wires I'd suspect that is the problem, #2 is on the front side.

are you changing your wires too ??

I would also get those back plugs changed asap, if its not running rough I would not worry to much about the misfire code, they are typical.

OK so I still have not changed the back plugs yet, just the front! But now I am experiencing a problem. I had an SES light on today so I hooked up the code reader and I have a cylinder 2 misfire. My question is what could cause this? Plugs too loose, to tight, gapped wrong? I set the gap at .060 (hopefully that is right) What else could cause this? I am clueless so any help, as always, is very appreciated! By the way I used the AC Delco Iridium plugs as recomended on here.

you probably got the wries crossed on the coil pack or something, i had an engine cylinder misfire when i changed my plugs and wires, and my engine was shaking like crazy, found out the problem was the boots on channel 4 and 6 were crossed, so try checking your wires

oh yeah and like Xero said try to get them other spark plugs in there ASAP , the whole process should of taken no more than a half hour. and to be quite honest i dont think changing the front 3 and leaving the back 3 will do much of anything.

I keep trying to get to it but I am about as lazy as they come so I keep putting it off! I did have the wires crossed up and I was able to eliminate the SES light! :)

They are not realy that difficult to reach.
I only use a 3" extension on a plug socket... when I use the swivle I always break the tops when removing the plugs. :banghead:
Which the top falls into the exhaust heat shield, which is near impossible to reach with out a magnetic pic-up tool. :runaround: