Spark Plug

[sLADe781]

I know this might be a stupid question but umm....where are the spark plugs? I know three are under the spark plug cover plate but aren't there supposed to be three more? If so, where are they? Thanks in advance.

[Hotshot8792]

their in your valve covers, we have a v-6 so there are two different valve covers. The front 3 are very easy to replace. The front valve cover is the thing that says "V6 DOHC" this is assuming you have a DOHC car. Just undo the 8 screws on the front plug cover and their they are. Now on the rear 3, your gonna have to pull the intake manifold off to change those. Its not a difficult job, might take you an hour or so your first time cause you have to figure out where all the bolts holding the manifld down are. I can remove mine in like 10 minutes topps now since i've done it enough.

[sLADe781]

Yeah, I saw the cables running to the intake manifold and was hoping that the other 3 wouldn't be there but no such luck. Yes, I have a DOHC ('94). I was wondering if you knew how many screws there would be for an SL (I don't know if it's the same as yours or not). Does the manifold come right off like the front cover or are there cables and other stuff connected to it? Thanks.

[Hotshot8792]

ok, i'll see how much i can help you with this

undo the two screws that hold the fuel injector wiring harness to the top/front of the manifold

undo the two bolts that hold the accelerator cable on the back of the manifold

undo the two bolts that hold in the 3 wiring harness plugs on the throttle body side of the manifold

undo your intake pipe from your throttle body (to change spark plugs, i'd just leave the throttle body on the manifold, although you will not be able to take the manifold all the way off without undoing some more connections from the throttle body, you'll be able to move it enough to change out spark plugs)

now undo the bolts on the back side (not sure how many there are) of the manifold that hold the manifold to the brackets on the backside of the manifold. I just took my brackets completely off for good so that everytime i take it off, it makes it a little easier

then you have 2 long bolts on the top toward the front of the manifold, remove those

then there are 3 bolts on the very front of the manifold, remove those

and then finally, there are two nuts on the front of the manifold, one is in front of the water coolant cap, and the other one is in the same place on the other side of the manifold. After all those bolts are removed, it should be loose

now your butterfly harness is still connected, to get these two wiring clips off, get a flat head screw driver, and you will see a spring clip on both of them. Put your flat had in there and pop it out, but be careful and make sure it doesnt go flying across or you'll never find it. After those are off, you can just move the manifold completely out of the way so you can change your plugs, but now that your lower intake plenum is exposed, put a towel over it so nothing is accidentally dropped or goes down into the engine.

[Thourun]

Here is an illustraited guide to how to do it yourself. I have been thinking of changing mine to copper soon, is this a good idea or are there better plugs out there preformance wise?

http://www.team3s.com/FAQplugs2.htm

[Hotshot8792]

coppers are the best, the downside is you need to change them every 10K miles, but are by far the better conductor of electricity. I've heard good things about the coppers IPO sells, www.importpoweronline.com or you can check your local NAPA auto parts and just get the NGK coppers, they're like $1.89 each.

[Kev3000GT]

wtf? what about denso iridium spark plugs! they might cost $12 a piece, but i thought they were supposed to be the best.

[Hotshot8792]

nope, iridiums last longer, but the cheap coppers make the most power because they are a better conductor of electricity.