[Iceman]

Going in on #6. At least its not raining! My motivation is the cold beer that awaits me when I finish.

 

[Iceman]

Done. Not so bad, The mirror helped lots. Time for beer.

 

[ryguy]

This might sound crazy, but I'm gonna pull #6 again for the 3rd time in a week. I can't get the engine to idle properly. I'm going to check ALL the plugs AGAIN just to make sure that there is no cracked porcelain. This is getting crazy. I am FAR more pissed about the idling than having to pull #6 for the 3rd time. It is now my mission in life to get this fucker to idle properly. If someone really wants to know what i've done to get this right and has any ideas, let me know and I will list them. #6 is gravy.

 

[dkswim]

post pics of your plugs.

 

[ryguy]

Was that directed at me DK?

 

[Jackal]

Ok got my plugs done too. Thanks for the advice, pics and words of encouragement to all in this thread. TJTJ's pics helped me visualize it prior to the actual installation.

My two cents:
If you are having trouble pulling the boot off o the plug I'd recommend spark plug pliers which you can get an any auto parts store. As for getting a look at the actual plug nothing beat one of those small mirrors and a mini mag light. If you don't have someone helping you, you will have to put the light and mirror down when you actually go for contact since you will need both hands to "feel." If you think your socket has met the plug, that is a good time to pause grab your mirror and light and double check. Then proceed with the removal. Same thing when threading the new one. I threaded the new one using the spark plug socket with extensions to hold it. Just ease it in. You will notice the wobble progressively go away as you continue to thread it. However, if your threading jams within first 1/2 to 1 1/2 turns you are probably in danger of cross threading. Back off and try it again.

Thanks again to all who helped.

Btw, my plugs were soooooo bad it's embarrassing. 92,900 miles on original set of NGK's. Got the pics to prove it.

 

[dkswim]

Was that directed at me DK?

yes post them up

 

[saberz]

Actually going to attempt #6 again this week. I pulled the other plugs because I had to gap them correctly(didn't have a gap tool at the time). 1-5 were cake and gapped within the .39-.44 spec range. #6 i'm going to try and get done in less than 5-10 minutes. I have a piece of wood for the firewall to get some leverage this time.

 

[asn15]

what kind of plugs are you guys using?

 

[bigtracing]

i did mine 10000 mile ago it sucked... I basically got under the hood with the motor.... anyhow i was on the way home from VT last weekend.. get to about 50 miles down the road and the cel turns on (wtf) my x starts vibrating has completly no power then all of a sudden it comes back to life and cel goes off.. so i get home pop the hood turns out somehow the #6 spark plug has been slowly backing out, running the #6 really lean, destroying the sparg plug.. luckily the cylinder/piston are fine (after stealing dads LED milwakee scope) just burnt some of the carbon off the piston, popped a new ngk in it for now truck runs great... I guess that was rookie mistake but just a heads up for everyone contemplating changing themselves.

 

[Broden21]

I dont get what the big deal is with #6 its not that hard to get to you just need to take your time.. when i did mine i had more trouble with #1 and #3. the drainage isnt very good in them and i had so much dirt in them that it took me over an hour to get them both out. take your time do it right. so you dont have to do it 3 times

 

[fuzzytek]

Hi all. This explains a lot on my mine. I bought it a couple of months ago with 160k on it. I noticed that it doesn't purr, so i checked kv and found #6 runs about 16k lower than the others. Now I know why. What a great forum to belong to.

 

[timd]

Ok, thanks for the horror stories. I will take mine to the shop for new plugs.:damn:

 

[Broden21]

Timd it's not that bad everyone just makes it sound worse then it really is. If you take your time. You shouldn't have a problem

 

[dkswim]

its not that hard if you know how to use tools. if you cant chang your own oil take it in.

 

[aznboihoy03]

i did mines a few months ago, ill admit it was a bitch cuz it was my first time changin out on the x. im pretty sure next time itll be a little easier since i know where its at now

 

[john-k]

just did mine tonight and #4 was by far the hardest. plus mine is a s/c so abit more tougher. i actually thought #6 was the easiest one. i used a 3" extension to the spark plug socket then a universal wobble adapter and then the 6" and didnt even have to get close to the firewall at all. hardest part was getting the plug boots off.

 

[crashdude]

Hmmm. First post on this board. Couldn't get that darn #6 plug wire and plug off. Tore up my hands trying to get it off. After a cut wrist and weak hands I finally threw in the towel. So I'll be rolling with 5 new plugs and 1 old.
I'll give it a go later once my hands heal up.

 

[outwiththeold]

Hmmm. First post on this board. Couldn't get that darn #6 plug wire and plug off. Tore up my hands trying to get it off. After a cut wrist and weak hands I finally threw in the towel. So I'll be rolling with 5 new plugs and 1 old.
I'll give it a go later once my hands heal up.

Prop the hood all the way up(use one of the holes in the hood) kneel in front of the radiator now reach down as far as you can and pull the boot off,(small hands help) use some boot lube so next time they come right off.

 

[Jackal]

If you need reference pics for S/C try this.