There are a lot of posts of people asking how to take their spark plus out and most get answered by "go do it". So I have decided to write up, step-by-step how I did mine last night. Previous Sticky doesnt show anything anymore.

98 Camaro 3.8L

Tools & Equipment Used
- Jack and Jack stands or wheel ramps
- 5/8 spark plug socket with hex end
- 3/8 drive ratchet
- 3/8 drive swivel extension
- 3/8 drive 3" extension
- 3/4 wrench
- Droplight, flashlight or something that produces bright artificial light
- New plugs
- Anit-Seize
- Sweat, Blood and Tears


1. Jack up car from the front and place jackstands underneath. Or drive onto wheel ramps and chock the rear tires. Allow engine bay/exhaust manifolds to cool. I got the car in the air then took the dogs out, got the mail, and swept the garage. By that time, the car was cool enough to start working on. So if you dont have dogs to take, mail to get or a garage that needs swept out, I would say approx. 1 - 1 1/2 hours is a good amount of time to wait. (Other say to wait until the car is completely cold. Note: If the car is your daily driver this will take a long time)

2. It is possible to start on either side of the car but this is my write up and we are starting on the passenger. With the car in the air, it is time to start laying on our backs for a while. Enter underneath the car behind the front tire and work yourself in until you are just past where the Y-pipe comes down. With a light, it is possible to see #4 & #6. Start with #6.

3. #6. Begin by reaching up to the spark plug with your left hand while positioning the light with your right hand. Rotate the plug wire boot around on the plug a few times, then pull the boot off. Most of these boots are pretty snug and you need to make sure you do not hurt the wire or boot if you are not planning on replacing them. If you have a boot puller, it might be helpful. If not, I used the open end on my 3/4 wrench to help break it lose. Rotate the boot so that the wire side up against the manifold. Place the wrench against the boot and pry. Should pop right off. Next, place your spark plug socket over the spark plug. Place the box end of your 3/4 wrench over the hex on the socket and loosen the plug. Remove the plug. Grab your new plug and place a little anti-seize on the threads. Place the plug back in the hole and tighten with your fingers. Use socket and wrench and torque to plug specs.

4. #4. Refer to Step 3 for wire removal. After wire is removed, place spark plug socket on spark plug. Now return to daylight from underneath the car. Attach your swivel extension and 3" extension. From the top, first connect the extensions to the socket then connect the ratchet to the extensions. Remove plug. Grab your new plug and place a little anti-seize on the threads. Place the plug back in the hole and tighten with your fingers. I found it easier to back in from underneath. Use socket, ratchet and extensions and torque to plug specs. Return underneath car and connect #4 then #6 wires.

5. #2. From the top, move Alternator wire and spark plug wire loom out the way. Remove the spark plug boot by: rotating and pulling off. Using the socket, ratchet and extensions, remove the plug. Grab your new plug and place a little anti-seize on the threads. Place the plug back in the hole and tighten with your fingers. Use socket, ratchet and extensions and torque to plug specs. Connect Wire.

6. #5. From underneath, Repeat step 3, switching hands.

7. #3. From underneath, Rotate the wire a few times and using the 3/4 wrench, remove the wire. This one was a bit tricky to get the socket on. All it take is patience and wiggling just right and the socket will fall right on. Using the 3/4 wrench, proceed to remove the spark plug. Grab your new plug and place a little anti-seize on the threads. Place the plug back in the hole and tighten with your fingers. Use socket, wrench and torque to plug specs. Connect #3 & #5 Wires.

8. #1. From the top, reach under, just to the rear of the EGR tube and find #1. Remove the spark plug boot by: rotating and pulling off. Using the socket, ratchet and extensions, remove the plug. Grab your new plug and place a little anti-seize on the threads. Place the plug back in the hole and tighten with your fingers. Use socket, ratchet and extensions and torque to plug specs. Connect Wire.[/align]

 

There is already a how to. Also, as of late, no one has really asked how to install plugs. Thanks though.

 

Thanks for the feedback. In my defense the old how-to sticky doesnt contain any information anymore. Only a step #1 with the rest deleted.

Doesnt hurt to hae it again for others to search for...

 

Thank you for this. First time. Couldn’t find a decent write up anywhere.

 

stuck it in the how to and faq, second post