Replacing spark plugs on LQ1

[Kalgorn]

Is it really necessary to remove the upper intake manifold to replace the rear plugs? I recently discovered that my cousin put in Bosch Platinums (:shock:) not too long before I bought the car... I definately need to replace them. I'd rather not have to remove the upper intake manifold.

 

What else can I do to replace them?

[slick]

Bet if you did a search, there was a topic about this no less than 30 days ago

 

ANYWAYS, pull off the top weatherstripping and cut 3 slices into the metal. That should give you plenty of clearance for the 20 extensions you will need to get the plugs out.

[fastbird232]

Nope, no need to pull the plenum. I thought so too, but it's NOT NECESSARY! Get yourself a six-inch extension, attached to a u-joint, attached to a two-inch extension, attached to your spark plug socket. Pull the weatherstripping off and you're good to go.

 

I had to bend up a wire coat hanger to get the plugs out of their holes, though. Snag a flashlight and it'll make life easier.

 

It was easy as hell...well, you have to pretty much crawl on top of the engine to get the last plug, but it's easier than pulling the plenum.

[fastbird232]

DO NOT CUT ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!

 

Holy shit!

 

Try it my way first.

 

EDIT: I'm the guy who posted two weeks ago about it, so trust me on this one.

[Turbo231]

Others have pulled the engine forward with success.

 

http://members.aol.com/regal231/spark.htm

[pwmin]

lucky pre-96's

[fastbird232]

What happened after '95?

[99RegalGS]

lucky pre-96's

Pulling the plenum off 96-97 LQ1's is EASY!!!!! I'd much rather pull plugs on a 96,97 LQ1 then a 91-95 LQ1. I could get the UIM off my cutlass in 2 minutes. seriously....

[slick]

But... even pulling the 91-95 style UIM is cake work, I think the last time I did it, it only took about 20 minutes, and that was fighting with some stupid hoses that were tighter than hell.

[fastbird232]

What's the difference?

[99RegalGS]

96,97 intakes have a seperate throttlebody "arm" to the plenum. vs the 91-95's have an integrated TB. The seperate "arm" makes it really easy to pull the UIM out of the way, because you don't have to deal with throttle cables, coolant lines, wiring.

[White93z34]

its a cake job, i know i can do all 6 of mine in about 20 minutes, just disconnect the dogbone, pull up the weatherstripping and get some odd sized extentions and go to town, it helps greatly if your spark plug socket has a little rubber thing inside it that grips the plug it makes it far easier to get the plugs in and out of the holes.

 

and if you can, get someone to pull the engine foreward, that makes it go quicker.

[Kalgorn]

What could I use to pull the engine forward? I don't know what a come-a-long is...

 

Does the weatherstripping just pull off or is there something holding it in place?

[fastbird232]

...try removing them by just taking off the weatherstripping first (it's not held on by anything), and see if that works before trying to rotate the motor forward.

[digitaloutsider]

This makes me so glad I have a '96+ UIM.