95 Trans Sport Spark Plugs

[darylh2000]

I would like to change the spark plugs on my 3800 engine but am not sure on how to locate the rear 3 plugs.

Can anyone help?

[richtazz]

you need ot rock the engine forward slightly to get access to them. The 3.1/3.4 Trans Sports have two engine mounts in the front on top, if your 3.8 is similar, you can place a jack with a piece of wood to distribute the weight on the trans pan, loosen the two top front mounts, and jack the trans pan up to rotate the motor forward, making the rear plugs easier to get to

[darylh2000]

Originally Posted by richtazz

you need ot rock the engine forward slightly to get access to them. The 3.1/3.4 Trans Sports have two engine mounts in the front on top, if your 3.8 is similar, you can place a jack with a piece of wood to distribute the weight on the trans pan, loosen the two top front mounts, and jack the trans pan up to rotate the motor forward, making the rear plugs easier to get to

Thanks for the info.

My engine has only 1 of the engine mounts. It also has a small metal loop pc on the right of the mount which looks like you could hook a bar onto it to move the engine forward.

So... the engine moves up not forward? or both?

[richtazz]

if you get on the back of the trans, it will rock forward

[llerrad]

You lay on the engine, with fingers to feel your way and do it blind, you will need flex joint in ratchet to do this, I've had several Transposrts and this is the easiest way. Remember to install good plat. plugs and you won't need to do it again for awhile because it is a pain.

[kingarthur2]

Originally Posted by darylh2000

I would like to change the spark plugs on my 3800 engine but am not sure on how to locate the rear 3 plugs.

Can anyone help?

I changed the rear plugs on my Transport 3.1 V6 engine when the alternator failed for the 3rd time in three years. Remove anything from the top of the engine that you can to make room. Lie over the engine with a good light, a dentists mirror and a plug spanner. Tie the spanner to your wrist as its so easy to drop down the back of the engine.

It took me 3 hours to get the plugs out and back in, having snapped one of the old ones getting it out.

Never again, its a nightmare, the scars on my wrists have healed, but the memory is still painfull.

[ciras3]

You lay on the engine, with fingers to feel your way and do it blind, you will need flex joint in ratchet to do this, I've had several Transports and this is the easiest way.


I have to agree with this totally. If you lay up on top of the engine, there is enough room to feel your way back in there to get them out and back in with no problems at all. With the 3.8, it isn't recommended to unbolt the dog bones and rock the engine forward. On other engines, that is the way to go, but with this one it's not indicated anywhere I've ever read.

[hookshot]

Originally Posted by ciras3

You lay on the engine, with fingers to feel your way and do it blind, you will need flex joint in ratchet to do this, I've had several Transports and this is the easiest way.


I have to agree with this totally. If you lay up on top of the engine, there is enough room to feel your way back in there to get them out and back in with no problems at all. With the 3.8, it isn't recommended to unbolt the dog bones and rock the engine forward. On other engines, that is the way to go, but with this one it's not indicated anywhere I've ever read.

Just changed the plugs on my 1995 v3.8 and found an easier access to 2 of the 3 plugs from the back rather than the top. Didn't rock the motor at all, but 2 of 3 three plugs are easier to access from the right wheel well near the oil filter. The third I just went blind from the top. It took about 1 hour to do the whole job. Have to admit though that it was enough trouble that I'd just bring it in next time.