SparkPlugs - Series II Help! :-)

[PhillipE]

I got new plugs and wires for my '01 LeSabre that has 86k.

With the engine completely cold I tried to pull the wires off. I couldn't get even one of them off, and I have a little better than average hand and wrist strength.

Should I try again, but with the engine warmed up a bit?

Big-10 Tire quoted me $184.00 (2.3 hours labor), and when I balked they lowered it to $140.00, but I still told them no.

Texaco Xpress Lube quoted me $225.00.

What ever happened to the days of the $50.00 tuneup? Was it that long ago?

The plugs at the back are a pain to get to. I considered removing a front tire as someone here suggested, but after looking carefully, I couldn't see where that would help at all.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Phil

[Bassasasin]

Plug wires stick sometimes, most times. Suggest to twist them holding wire and cuff first. Get them to turn a bit first. Then a firm careful jerk. You may get your arm a little dirty doing the backside. Thats what GoJo is for..
They make a spray for that problem for when you re-install them to help on the next time.

No Offense but,
Depending on YOUR skill and knowledge level you have to bet, is it worth $200 for a professional look over after 86K miles of faithful driving. I would proubbly would get a quick code read and other things like research on the type vehicle you have and not to mention vehicle recalls.. The flip side of that is good Pro places invest and suscribe to the list of dealer "things that should be done", inspections that an owner may overlook like CV boots, brakes, transmission oil smell and color, funny sounds and the like. Those resources cost them money to have and keep your car running faithfully avoiding areas often neglected unknowingly. Ok I will get off my soap box.

Good Luck
Bass

[rustbucket]

I made a U shaped tool out of an old end wrench so I could pry the boot off the plug. I still broke the ceramic on one of the new plugs putting in the back ones.

[PhillipE]

Well, yesterday after work I decided to tackle it again. The worst one was the #2 plug. First I ripped off the wire, then I got the boot off, finally with a pair of pliars I got the metal connector off! A few bruises and one nasty scratch on my right arm, 2.5 hours later the job was done.

I installed the APP606 double platinum plugs and Borg-Warner wires. It is running smoother now and has a little more power.

The plugs I took out are AC Delco 41-921.

The old plugs looked like they have white ash on the wire, and little or no deposits, telling me they were running too hot.

According to my book, it could be the timing is advanced too much (how would one go about correcting this?), or the mixture is too lean (do I need a new fuel filter, or cleaner injectors?)

Thanks,

Phil

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by PhillipE

Well, yesterday after work I decided to tackle it again. The worst one was the #2 plug. First I ripped off the wire, then I got the boot off, finally with a pair of pliars I got the metal connector off! A few bruises and one nasty scratch on my right arm, 2.5 hours later the job was done.

I installed the APP606 double platinum plugs and Borg-Warner wires. It is running smoother now and has a little more power.

The plugs I took out are AC Delco 41-921.

The old plugs looked like they have white ash on the wire, and little or no deposits, telling me they were running too hot.

According to my book, it could be the timing is advanced too much (how would one go about correcting this?), or the mixture is too lean (do I need a new fuel filter, or cleaner injectors?)

Thanks,

Phil

Check these pictures: which one looks like your plugs?

Also I don't know what brand you put back in but I believe in putting in whatever AC plug GM is recommending at the time. Last time I did my 03 the plug changed from 41-601 to a different number, maybe 921 that you mention. I've seen lots of comments about Bosch plugs not lasting.

The fuel mixture on your car and the spark advance are computer controlled. If you have a white ash I would tend toward the fuel itself. I.E., a brand of gas with additives that are leaving the white ash. If you're using off brand stations who buy their fuel at whim sometimes, you may be getting fuel that doesn't cleanup as well after itself. Probably running several tanks of good brand fuel will clean away some of the deposits left by off brand quality fuels.

[PhillipE]

Yeah, usually I get the Circle K, Citgo, or Walmart stuff. The APP606 is the Autolite Double Platinum which works well with the Series II. I've heard about Bosch before and won't use those.

I didn't see any pictures. I'll check your post again, maybe there is a link I should select.

Thanks,

Phil

Originally Posted by imidazol97

Check these pictures: which one looks like your plugs?

Also I don't know what brand you put back in but I believe in putting in whatever AC plug GM is recommending at the time. Last time I did my 03 the plug changed from 41-601 to a different number, maybe 921 that you mention. I've seen lots of comments about Bosch plugs not lasting.

The fuel mixture on your car and the spark advance are computer controlled. If you have a white ash I would tend toward the fuel itself. I.E., a brand of gas with additives that are leaving the white ash. If you're using off brand stations who buy their fuel at whim sometimes, you may be getting fuel that doesn't cleanup as well after itself. Probably running several tanks of good brand fuel will clean away some of the deposits left by off brand quality fuels.

[wrightz28]

White can indicate lean fuel mixture.

[imidazol97]

http://www.dansmc.com/Spark_Plugs/Sp...s_catalog.html

[stuzman]

Originally Posted by PhillipE

Well, yesterday after work I decided to tackle it again. The worst one was the #2 plug. First I ripped off the wire, then I got the boot off, finally with a pair of pliars I got the metal connector off! A few bruises and one nasty scratch on my right arm, 2.5 hours later the job was done.

I installed the APP606 double platinum plugs and Borg-Warner wires. It is running smoother now and has a little more power.

The plugs I took out are AC Delco 41-921.

The old plugs looked like they have white ash on the wire, and little or no deposits, telling me they were running too hot.

According to my book, it could be the timing is advanced too much (how would one go about correcting this?), or the mixture is too lean (do I need a new fuel filter, or cleaner injectors?)

Thanks,

Phil

I just changed the plugs and wires on my 2000 LeSabre and thought I could add some comments. The hardest part of the whole job was removing the wires from the plugs. What a job!!! Each one took about 10 minutes of twisting (which none never did), pulling, cursing, etc. and eventually it would come off. I worked on the #2 plug wire for 35 minutes and still couldn't get it off. So, I decided to jack the car up and try from underneath. I found out you can get a better grip and after another 5 minutes, it came off.

The actual changing of the plugs was no sweat, even the ones in the back weren't that bad. Mine also had AC/Delco plugs (41-921) and were replaced with AC/Delco (41-101). The number had been changed. A flex ratchet with a three inch extension took care of it nicely. The job took me about 2-1/2 hours also. Anyway, just a few words of thought....

[355smallblock]

I FEEL YOU IF THEY HAVE BEEN ON FOR A WHILE THERE A REAL BITCH