Tune up question

[Seneca_Tiger]

I am planning to put spark plugs in my wife's 2002 Malibu (3.1L V6). I'm sure many on here have done this before. What special tools will I need (aside from a spark plug socket)? The front looks pretty easy but the back bank looks like it will be a real pain to do. Are there any special tools (special types of ratchets, universals, etc) that will make this easier?

Thanks

[rodeo02]

Not positive on the Mali 3.1L, but you can unbolt the two top front engine mounts and rock the whole engine forward to get to the rear bank. Dunno if this is needed on the mali though.

Joel

[bcopeland]

You can let your car cool off and then reach back there to take the plugs ourt. All you need are the spark plug sockets and a good sense of feel.

[stratford_boy]

rear plug boots can be a real pain to get off if they haven't been off in some time. get ready for some ripped knuckles and cursing. no upper motor mounts on these cars like the old g bodies had. Make sure to use ngk g powers, not the delco platinums, the delcos are actually made by ngk, but the ngk's have ribbed insulators, less cracking issues and less than half the price.

[Speedy_1234]

Ok first of all you should only change the spark plugs when the car is cold (due to that the malibu has alimuim heads which in removing the sparks plugs when the engine is hot it will cause the heads to expand causing a big problem.) once said that next to remove the back ones you have to take off the coils all of them. there fours screws two of them that you remove with a 10mm and the back ones with a 13mm deep socket after you take them off you would need the spark plug socket plus a angle a exteison (Medium) and the rachet. first put the socket and angle together then with out the extaions place the socket on the spark plug and then make sure it has all the spark plug in the socke tand now your ready to take them off.

[stratford_boy]

don't have to pull coils, I never have, all you need is a little patience, I can do the rear plugs (if the boots don't give any hassles) in about 15 minutes.

[Speedy_1234]

Well, with the coils off you do it faster an with out hassle

[stratford_boy]

Maybe you, speedy, but I have changed hundreds of sets of plugs on 3.1 and 3.4 engines over the years and I NEVER pull the coils, that's just not needed, extra work.

[Speedy_1234]

Originally Posted by stratford_boy

don't have to pull coils, I never have, all you need is a little patience, I can do the rear plugs (if the boots don't give any hassles) in about 15 minutes.

Right there where your take 15 min. i allready taking off coils and two of the spark plugs

[stratford_boy]

Look, buddy, are you a technician?? I am! BTW, please take more time/learn how to write a proper paragraph, your input is so hard to understand!!!

[bcopeland]

I place my vote with Startford Boy. I am not a Techie, but i have done my own intakes (several times), and I have NEVER had to take off ignition coils to change plaugs.

[stratford_boy]

Thanks, finally a voice of reason...

[Speedy_1234]

Here the thing this is only a forums to help each other but man you take it to the head. I mean someone like me has a different way to do the job maybe different from you,but if you are a "mech." like you say you are maybe you should know there different ways to do a job like this. See while you are very patience not trying to mess up the thread of the heads I well, in the other hand I take the whole coil packet off and see what i am doing. Not "Feeling" around to see if I am doing ok.