Can't get at the back 3 sparkplugs, any ideas?

7T9Shark · #1 11-20-2003, 09:41 PM

I started changing out the plugs on my '96 Lumina and ran into a wall, when it became obvious that the back three plugs were buried under, who knows what. Anybody out there have any ideas on how to properly go about this? Coming up from the bottom doesn't look good either.

AJ

The Burning Rom · #2 11-21-2003, 09:42 AM

You have to remove the front dogbones (motor mounts) and tilt the engine forward. It helps to park on a slight incline. It's also a good idea to use two bolts and a wrench to hold the motor forward while you change the plugs. You can use the slave loops on the dogbones, but I've never done it that way.

Upgrade · #3 11-21-2003, 01:56 PM

95 and up Luminas don't rock forward, at least not like the earlier ones. Replacing the plugs is done by feel on these ones. I found on my 95 Lumina LS 3.4 that you need a 9" extension and a spark plug socket with the rubber boot inside. You will need to pull the rubber molding away from the edge of the engine compartment right at the base of the window. This will allow you to slip the plug and extension down and the thread it in by hand, then plenty of room for a socket wrench. Take you time and dont crank like crazy when you loosen them. One broke the first time I did them. And use dielectric grease when you put the plug wires on. It gets mighty hot there and you dont want the wires to fuse on them.

7T9Shark · #4 11-21-2003, 10:27 PM

Ugh! No short cuts there, I guess.

Thanks for the info.

Bruticus · #5 11-21-2003, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7T9Shark

I started changing out the plugs on my '96 Lumina and ran into a wall, when it became obvious that the back three plugs were buried under, who knows what. Anybody out there have any ideas on how to properly go about this? Coming up from the bottom doesn't look good either.

AJ

That doesnt sound like a bad idea imma try that and see if that helps me out i hate reaching for those 3 plugs.

Retardo · #6 11-22-2003, 11:56 AM

The 95 and newer cars don't rock forward? I don't know what kind of engine that you have, but from what I have seen, all of them rock forward. Even my 96 rocks forward, allowing me to change plugs and remove the valve covers.

7T9Shark · #7 11-22-2003, 02:33 PM

OK, sounds like the voice of experience talking. So, remove the anti-torque restraints and the engine will rock far enough to permit easier access? Just like that? Is there that much play in the motor/tranny mounts?

Worth a try.

Retardo · #8 11-23-2003, 12:21 PM

Before rocking the motor forward, make sure the transmission is in neutral. With it in park, the engine will hardly move. If it's neutral, it moves pretty easily. The best way that we've done it is to stick a breaker bar (huge long handled ratchet), or you can use something like a pipe wrench, to stick down in the area where the dog-bones go and pull it forward. It's real easy to do with two people. If you notice on one of the dog bones, there's a little loop on the bottom of it. You'll need to run the bolt thru the torque strut on the engine, thru the loop on the dog bone, and thru the other side of the torque strut. It was pretty hard to get the bolt to go thru both sides of the torque strut holes, but as long as it's in one of them and thru the loop, it should hold with no problem.

7T9Shark · #9 11-23-2003, 02:30 PM

This is sounding better all the time. Looks like a project for next weekend's to-do list. Thanks for the tips, though. I'll print this out for reference.

Bruticus · #10 11-23-2003, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retardo

Before rocking the motor forward, make sure the transmission is in neutral. With it in park, the engine will hardly move. If it's neutral, it moves pretty easily. The best way that we've done it is to stick a breaker bar (huge long handled ratchet), or you can use something like a pipe wrench, to stick down in the area where the dog-bones go and pull it forward. It's real easy to do with two people. If you notice on one of the dog bones, there's a little loop on the bottom of it. You'll need to run the bolt thru the torque strut on the engine, thru the loop on the dog bone, and thru the other side of the torque strut. It was pretty hard to get the bolt to go thru both sides of the torque strut holes, but as long as it's in one of them and thru the loop, it should hold with no problem.

AHhhhh so thats what i needed to do i tried to move the engine and i rarely moved. So yur saying once i put it in nuetral i will have more slack to move it ?

Retardo · #11 11-23-2003, 11:56 PM

Absolutely.. Try moving it forward in park... Then try it in Neutral. BIG difference. If it's in neutral and your strong enough, you may be able to grab onto the alternator and pull it forward by hand.

Bruticus · #12 11-24-2003, 12:16 AM

So i wont need a tourqe strut to move it i can just move it from the altenator then ?

Retardo · #13 11-24-2003, 01:51 AM

It worked for me when pulling on the alternator.. Just make sure it's nice and tight so you won't rip it off the engine.

Bruticus · #14 11-24-2003, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retardo

It worked for me when pulling on the alternator.. Just make sure it's nice and tight so you won't rip it off the engine.

LoL ya that would = the sucketh how far will it move once its in neutral ?

Retardo · #15 11-24-2003, 12:09 PM

It should move far enough to run the bolt thru, but you might have to yank it while putting the bolt thru if it has trouble going thru the loop and holes

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