How to replace spark plugs and wires myself?

hi. i decided to replace spark plugs and wires my own, because i think it is a good opportunity for me to learn more about cars. i have no idea about cars yet, i cant even change car battery my own, but this time, i want to take times and try it. first what tools i need for replaceing those spark plugs and wires? and is it too hard for beginner to do it??How to replace spark plugs and wires myself?knowing the car would help, but your going to need a spark plug socket which there are different sizes but they are cheap, you will need a ratchet, an Extension for the ratchet wouldn't hurt to have a few different lengths laying there, and its alot easier with a u joint for your socket, then you will need plugs and wires, its not hard to do, i will tell you to take one spark plug wire off put then the spark plug gap the plug to what ever it says, under the hood on the label it will say gap xx-xx amount, spark plug gappers are 3 or 4 bucks and last a life time, you can gap them all at once to start out too, then you put the new plug in, find the closest length wire and put it in, and repeat on the next one, chances are the wires will not be the same length exactly due to patents and other things, so just the closest one, and the reason i say take them off one at a time is because you will not need to know the firing order that way, and you will not mess up the wires and firing order and get your self in a bind, also, you may break a spark plug so you may end up buying an extruder they are 10-15 bucks for a cheap one, and if you want to do it a good way and make it easier for next time buy a small container of anti- seze and put it on the threads of the spark plug before screwing it in, your wires should come with a small thing of die elecric grease and use it spairingly or buy a small tube of it for 5 bucks, and you can find torque specs. on how tight to make the spark plugs but then you need a torque wrench so just make them snug- tight but not tight tightHow to replace spark plugs and wires myself?You don't usually need any tools, unless the wires are under a cover that bolts down or something.How to replace spark plugs and wires myself?Depends on what kind of car you have and the type of engine and what kind of spark plug wires it has. Some cars, the wires just pop off. Mine, a Chevy, the wires have to be unbolted. That's only after you take the damn air cleaner off first! Good luck.How to replace spark plugs and wires myself?You'll definitely need a spark plug socket, the correct size for you plugs. Probably 5/8 deep well, either a handle or rachet to turn the socket. And a good eye for detail.

You need to twist the spark plug wire at the boot on the plug and pull.

Good luck, for the first time I recommend having someone who knows how there, just for pointers.How to replace spark plugs and wires myself?easiest tools are a ratchet,plug socket of the correct size an extension to fit the ratchet, a universal joint for the socket, and a spark plug gapping guage. Do only one plug %26amp; wire at a time.. Match the old wire for length as close as u can to one of the new set. make sure the new wire is properly seated on the new plug and the coil pack/distributor. Do one at a time till theye are all done. I f'got to mention check the gap on the plug with the guage before installing the plugsHow to replace spark plugs and wires myself?tools:

spark plug socket

masking tape or post its with tape



remove coil packs and/or wires

label wire with tape- for that cylinder. set up 1-4 from left to right, like u read.

remove plugs

make sure new ones are gapped. install until hand tight then turn 90 degrees.

now replace wires by length size as u have them labeled.



also check out youtube for video walk thrus. a few are availableHow to replace spark plugs and wires myself?First, locate your plugs, and see how easy they are to get to. Some cars are real easy, but others can be very hard, requiring removing parts and or removing fender covers, tilting the engine or whatever.



If you can get to one plug, try putting a spark plug socket wrench on it ( a tool you will need). There are different sizes, so it could be 5/8, 3/4 or metric of those sizes. (I don't know metric. probably a 17 or 18 or maybe 19).



Once yu find out what socket will fit, use that on all spark plugs. These sockets are deep, like three to four inches long. Then you will need a socket drive rachet. A 3/8 inch drive rachet wrench works good. It goes on the socket you will use, so make sure your socket is also made for 3/8 drive. It has a square hole on top that is 3/8 inch.



You might need some extensions also, maybe different lengths, like 2 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch and10 inch. these can be put together to form a longer one, if needed, lik the 10 inch plus the 4 inch will make a 14 inch extension. Some of the places to get to spark plugs, can be hard to get to and you need long extensions.



Before you start, take some masking tape, and put one piece on each plug wire, and put a number on it with a felt tip pen, so that you know which plug each wire goes to. Number the same as each cylinder. I don't do this, I know where they go, but at times, even I get confused.



Pull the plugs first, leave the wires alone for now, but pull the boots off the plugs as you go along. Turn each plug, to the left, to loosen it, and then keep turning until all the way out.



Take the new plug and set the gap, with a gapper, to the specificed gap, and put on the washer, and put it in the hole, tighten up carefully, do not cross thread them. If it acts like it is binding while going in, come back out, your are cross threading. Aluminum engines cross thread easily and being soft metal, can ruin the threads inside the hole. Tighten the plug snugly but do not over tighten, you can break the plug.



Gap each plug before you put it in. Do not use oil on the threads. Once you get all the plugs back into their prospective holes, then you can start on the wires. Remove only one at a time, and replace it with a new one. Then do another one, and replace it. Until you got them all.



If you jump the gun and take them all off, you could be trying to remember where they went. When you are done, check your firing sequence, starting with number one on the distributor cap and going around in the direction of fire.

It would be a good idea to find the fire sequence before you start and write it down, along with which way the distributor turns, and mark number 1 on the distributor so you know where to start when you check the firing order.



For instance, on a 6 cyclinder (some, not all) 1 5 3 6 2 4 is the firing order. You would start with number 1, go around clockwise, next would be 5, then 3 and so on. And of course,number one would go to number one plug, near the front of the engine, 5 would be next to last near the back.



this was a quick lesson, and depending on your car, it could be easy or very hard. So take your time, figure out what needs to be done, and do it. There are manuals in libraries, usually, that will help. You need to know the gap for the plugs, to set them.

Good luck and have fun.

How do I take care of my down comforter

advice how