DIY: Spark Plug Removal [2.3EB]

Okay guys, here's something quick that I've thrown together for everyone that's doing this for the first time.

You'll need an 8mm (deep) socket, 10mm (deep) socket, wrench, and spark plug socket.

Step No 1:
Remove the cover by removing (4) bolts. 2 bolts are 8mm and the other two bolts are 10mm.

http://i.imgur.com/E2ZpJis.jpg

Step No. 2:
These are the (4) coil packs. The spark plugs are located underneath them.

http://i.imgur.com/dswpWzv.jpg

Step No. 3:
These are the two points where the wiring harness attaches to the coil plug bolts. These need to be removed by gently pulling upward and wiggling them.

http://i.imgur.com/Kfkjzj5.jpg

Step No. 3a:
This is a close up of the wiring harness attachment point on the No. 1 coil pack bolt.

http://i.imgur.com/FD9T2UB.jpg

Step No. 3b:
This is a close up of the wiring harness attachment point on the No. 4 coil pack bolt.

http://i.imgur.com/hhVFPH1.jpg

Step No. 4:
Remove the (4) 10mm coil pack bolts.

http://i.imgur.com/7J8gUYi.jpg

Step No. 5:
Remove the coil pack harness plug. First, slide the red tab away from the coil pack to unlock it. Second, press down on the little black (I accidentally called it green in the picture lol) tab at the back of the plug and pull the plug away from the coil pack.

http://i.imgur.com/cAlOvL2.jpg

Once you've done these steps, you're on the home stretch. Pull the coil packs up straight up out of the spark plug wells, use a spark plug socket to remove the spark plug itself, and then install the new plugs following the above steps in reverse order.

It was getting dark so I didn't have time to completely remove the coils, but once you complete the above Steps Nos. 1-5, you'll have no problem finishing it up. Good luck! And don't forget, install the plugs hand tight and then give it about an 1/8th of a turn with a wrench.

EDIT: I had to edit the links because the site is no longer linking to Imgur.
Copy/paste the link into your browser window to view the pics. I'll try to download and reupload them to a different site at some point in the future,
but I just don't have a lot of time to do so right now.

I found it rather annoying its two different bolt sizes for the cover when I was taking it off

Nihil said:

I found it rather annoying its two different bolt sizes for the cover when I was taking it off

Click to expand...

Me too!

god im so glad that the plugs are easy to change out. i paid $470 for my dealership to change out my 06 GT as they had some special way to do it cause they were prone to breaking

Mods, please sticky this. A very useful guide that I'm sure people would like to find in the future.

Thanks for the post!

Much thanks!!

Awesome, I was wondering about this. Thanks!

I just pulled the coils out and left the wires attached. There is no real need to unclip the harness.

Mike

mbreinin said:

I just pulled the coils out and left the wires attached. There is no real need to unclip the harness.

Mike

Click to expand...

Ditto. Also I only put the cover back on with the two 8mm

I find it rather sad our engines look so un appealing with the cover off. plenty of I4s look good just by the valve cover.

Nihil said:

I find it rather sad our engines look so un appealing with the cover off. plenty of I4s look good just by the valve cover.

Click to expand...

not much you can do with the big coils on top of each cylinder, though it will be interesting if some company comes up with a better looking valve cover

midnite9150 said:

not much you can do with the big coils on top of each cylinder, though it will be interesting if some company comes up with a better looking valve cover

Click to expand...

That would be nice.

Hey all, just did mine with the Denso ITV22s. Super simple job. The photos up top do the work justice. Took me a minute to figure out how to get the plug in and out because I'd just never done them before, but pretty user friendly.

Only gripe was the positioning of the engine being so far back in the bay and me not having pulled all the way up to the curb... so my short ass at 5'6" was suffering a little trying to get a comfortable set up. Still doable!

Thanks for this! Now I have a lot more confidence to tackle this.

Great post - I was looking for something like this as I wasn't sure how to get to the spark plugs.

Hey guys, I recently got the Adam tune and during data logging he noticed that my gaps may be incorrect. I want to go ahead and replace them.

Right now I have the MAP intercooler and Adam tune. I plan on getting a CAI and Catback next. Then I'll be set for a little while. What are the best spark plugs to get and any good tips for increasing/decreasing the spark gap? I'm going to be running mostly a 93 octane tune for daily commutes. Do any spark plugs come pre-set well for .028 for the gap?

For someone changing the spark plugs for the first time and ensuring the gap is right how long of a job is this. I'm almost 6'2 with a decent reach lol

Thanks again for creating this post.

Chad