Doing a tune-up on your car (or pick up or mini-van) can be ‘as easy as pie‘ or turn into a nightmare that'll have you taking your vehicle to the shop (to spend the big bucks you were trying to avoid spending in the first place).
Well, any Tune-Up that involves replacing the spark plug wires and the spark plugs can and will have a happy ending if you keep these 9 tips and suggestions in mind.
- 1
Wait till the engine has cooled down completely. Not only are you gonna' avoid getting burned, but the majority of vehicles today have aluminum cylinder heads that must be cold before replacing the plugs or the spark plug thread will get damaged.
- 2
Buy the factory original spark plug. For example: if your vehicle is a Buick (or any GM make), use the AC Delco spark plug. Or if your vehicle is a Ford (Lincoln, Mercury), use Motorcraft spark plugs. Using a different type of spark plug, even if it's a High Performance spark plug, might invite some hard to troubleshoot problems.
- 3
Use the right tools. If you don't have them, buy them. The right tool or tools will save you a lot of frustration and/or complications and will be worth the wait if you have to order them online or the trip to your local auto parts store. Click here to see the spark plug wire puller review article: How To Use A Spark Plug Wire Puller And Where To Buy One.
- 4
If you have never done a Tune-Up on your specific vehicle, research it first... either online or buy a repair manual. Vehicles now-a-days are more complicated than what was rolling around just 5 years ago.
- 5
Don't drop the spark plug on the floor. This could crack the porcelain insulator and can cause a misfire that can be hard to diagnose. If you drop a spark plug... my recommendation is to not install it and to buy a new one.
- 6
Gap the spark plugs with a spark plug gapper, don't trust what the parts man at the auto parts store says about them being pre-gapped UNLESS your vehicle uses factory 2 or 3 or 4 ground electrode spark plugs.
- 7
Remove one spark plug wire at a time to either replace it or the spark plug it's attached to. Removing them all at the same time may/will add more time to the job and if you haven't researched the Firing Order and the location of the cylinders, you're gonna' have a car that does not start or starts but runs with a misfire. Arm yourself with knowledge: know the firing order of the ignition system. Know the location of the cylinders.
- 8
Start the spark plug by hand first, using a piece of 3/8 fuel hose or an old spark plug wire boot. If you start threading the spark plug using your ratchet wrench (and a socket), you run the risk of cross-threading the spark plug and this is something you want to avoid! Once the spark plug stops turning (with the piece of fuel hose or spark plug Boot), then and only then can you finish tightening it with the ratchet wrench.
Maintaining and repairing your vehicle can be very rewarding, not only are you saving money, but the sense of accomplishment can be the best reward of all. To successfully accomplish the task, knowledge is key!
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
