How to Replace a Spark Plug
- Security first. Make sure the engine is cold before you park your car on a level, dry surface.
- Fire Plug Wire should be removed.
- Take off the plug’s coil (COP)
- Spark plug should be unscrewed.
- Replace the spark plugs.
- Reinstall the ignition coils or spark plug wires (COP)
- Activate the engine.
In This Article...
Can I replace my own spark plugs?
For a four-cylinder engine, changing spark plugs takes approximately an hour, and you can do it yourself and save at least $100 in labor costs. Most of the time, it’s a straightforward task that will help to maintain optimum performance and the best gas mileage.
Spark Plug Swivel Socket With Extension
A socket wrench that can twist the spark plugs inside the engine is required to remove old spark plugs. You need an extension for your spark plug socket because it can be challenging to remove an old plug at times.
If you can’t find that, acquire a spark plug swivel socket instead, which can lock in and fit into small areas for quick spark plug replacements. This spark plug socket set can handle sensitive spark plug threads and is perfect for plugs with a rubber insert.
Remember to blast pressurized air around the ignition coil and old spark plug before removing it. This keeps dirt and other debris out of the plug hole.
Flexible Handle Ratchet
Spark plugs in contemporary engines are frequently installed in small, confined areas. Use a handle ratchet if a swivel socket is ineffective.
Even better, you can use a ratchet with a flexible handle in conjunction with a swivel socket wrench to turn the spark plugs.
Spark Plug Boot Puller Pliers
In contemporary COP systems, the spark plug’s “boot” joins the ignition coil and the plug. After some time, the boot may become stuck to the old plug. You must handle it carefully because some spark plug wire surrounds it as well.
Long-tipped boot puller pliers can gently remove the spark plug boot without causing any spark plug wire damage.
Spark Plug Gap Gauge
You should definitely get a spark plug gap tool since maintaining the spark plug gap is essential to keeping the plugs functional.
You have two options when choosing a spark plug gap tool: a spark plug gap gauge or a feeler gauge.
The spark plug gauge makes it easier to achieve the proper distance as required by the specifications by gapping the plugs either outwards or inwards.
The spark plug gap gauge just has to be inserted between the ground electrode and the center electrode. The electrodes should then be adjusted by carefully sliding the spark plug gauge toward the gauge’s mark indicating the required standard.
A feeler gauge can also be used to determine the spark plug gap more precisely. A feeler gauge, as opposed to a spark plug gauge, may work with delicate metals like iridium spark plugs.
Torque Wrench
To prevent engine damage and other issues, a new spark plug needs to be torqued properly. The cylinder head can be ruined by overtightening the plugs with the spark plug wrench, but loose plugs may simply fall off after a few uses.
An effective torque wrench is useful in this situation. You can use the spark plug wrench to tighten the new plug set while consulting your manufacturer’s instructions.
Wire Loom Spacers
In ignition systems where the current is carried by a spark plug wire, wire loom spacers are used to stop cross-firing and arcing-to-ground. These aid in separating the ignition wires and stop misfires, which can impair engine performance, oil consumption, and gas mileage.
Engine has a rough idle
Your engine will sound twitchy and harsh at idle if your spark plugs are deteriorating. This can cause the vehicle to vibrate throughout, which might result in more expensive damage.
Trouble starting
You’re late for work and your car won’t start… a dead battery Low on fuel? Spark plug failure is one cause that is frequently ignored. You will remain stationary if the ignition doesn’t have the necessary spark.
Engine misfiring
Your engine briefly cuts off and feels jerky when it misfires because the cylinders are not firing properly. As a result, the ride may be uncomfortable and the emissions may increase.
Engine surging
Once more, this may result in an unpleasant and possibly hazardous journey. The engine is operating inefficiently because it is drawing in more air than is typically required for combustion, which results in frequent stop-start actions.
High fuel consumption
Are you consuming more than usual? Your fuel efficiency can severely suffer if your spark plugs are failing. Spark plug replacement might be the answer.
Lack of acceleration
Consider getting a service with a spark plug change if your car feels unresponsive and the accelerator has lost some of its sensitivity. This will help you start moving again.
Simply stop by your neighborhood branch or drop us a note if you have questions; our helpful staff would be pleased to help.
What size spark plug socket do I need?
Just a few tools are required to replace the spark plugs in your car. The most crucial equipment is a spark plug socket and an extension for a socket wrench. There are two sizes available for spark plug sockets: 5/8 inches and 13/16 inches. The rubber insert included in most spark plug sockets keeps the plug firmly in place.
If it’s tough to get to your spark plugs, you could also require a universal joint. The wrench can be turned in one axis and converted into a rotation around another axis using universal joints, which are articulated joints. A universal joint might be useful if you can’t fit a wrench and extension in the area surrounding your spark plugs.
Do I need to unplug the battery before changing the spark plugs?
When working on anything electrical, it’s also a good idea to disconnect the negative terminal of your automobile battery. Before changing your spark plugs, make sure the engine of your automobile has completely cooled. By doing this, it will be simpler to remove the plugs and the ignition coil boot or spark plug wire.
Do spark plugs require a torque wrench?
Although a torque wrench is unnecessary, many mechanics like to use one when changing spark plugs. The torque wrench will help you avoid over- or under-tightening nuts and bolts, as was previously said.
Your car could be damaged and the performance of your engine could be impacted by insufficient tightness. For this reason, you must tighten everything beneath the hood in accordance with the precise recommendations made by the makers.
By using a torque wrench, the task is simplified. The torque value can be adjusted to the ideal setting. You may be assured that you won’t be overtightening the joints thanks to this.
If you’re a professional, I think it’s likely that you already have a torque wrench for these kinds of tasks, but if not, you can purchase a significantly less expensive substitute in the store.
What else needs to be replaced along with the spark plugs?
How much does it cost to replace the coil and ignition wires? The engine of the car you drive is what makes the difference. However, it’s crucial to perform a complete inspection of the ignition system, including the spark plugs, before you replace the ignition wires, coils, or coil pack in your automobile or truck. It becomes considerably more challenging to deliver a good spark from the distributor or coil pack once your ignition wires begin to wear out. It becomes significantly more challenging for the electricity to transfer from its source to the cylinder where combustion takes place as the materials in the plug wires start to deteriorate or break down. The engine will typically misfire, causing a skip, or your car may not start.
The spark that ignites the mixture of air and fuel in your engine’s combustion chamber is transmitted to the plugs by spark plug wires from the distributor or ignition coil. The ignition coil, which converts low-voltage power into extremely high voltage, is where this process begins. The transmission of this energy through the ignition wires generates heat, which over time may cause the wiring to weaken, crack, or otherwise fail. Fuel won’t ignite in your engine’s cylinder if the spark is weak or nonexistent. Your automobile or truck will either operate poorly or not at all, depending on how many spark plugs have failed. Asking the service personnel to check your ignition system everytime you have maintenance is a good idea because of this.
The ignition wires and coils in your car are at the mercy of time and mileage. Replace the ignition wires whenever you change the spark plugs, and vice versa. By doing this, you’ll maintain your car operating at its best and save money on unburned fuel. In fact, a sudden decrease in gas mileage can be a sign that something is wrong with your ignition system. You can quickly check the voltage reaching the spark plugs with an Ohmmeter. It is crucial to have someone check the codes if your car’s “Check Engine” light is on to establish whether the problem is with the ignition.
How should I handle a spark plug?
1. Gently twist and pull a spark plug wire straight out by the boot (the location where it joins to the plug). Never pull directly on the wire (you can damage the wiring). The spark plug terminal is the shiny object protruding from the engine block after the wire has been disconnected from it.