Spark Plug Replacement (how-to)

[LeoMurano]

Originally Posted by hexec

Changed mine today in an 2004. Got SES condition, did not have to take the blades or any of the other nonsense off. Waist of time. It took me 2 hrs tops, whole job.

Did you take off mainfold intake?

[jinhao]

it is literally impossible to get bank 3 out w/o taking the manifold off. you can't even use your fingers and touch the coil let alone take it out.

you replaced 5 spark plugs and the cowl wasn't the hard part!

[LeoMurano]

https://www.autopartsway.ca/PartDeta...33-1838031/NRZ

Is this correct gasket? I see there are bunch of other main fold gaskets.

[hexec]

Manifold must come off.

[chasracer]

Just did this job today and as most have posted it is a time consuming s-o-b! I did not take the cowl off, but my biggest problem was getting to the wiring plug for the rear coils and the two hose connections on the backside of the manifold. In just about every case when it came to a hose connection, the clamp was never in the right spot to compress it. Sometimes you can twist the hose and get to it but what pain!

First item was disconnecting the ground side of the battery and it was also the last thing that I put back together - I did not have any issues with sensors which was nice. One thing that blew my mind was the #5 cylinder and the original equipment plug being finger tight. Not sure what that cost me over the years in power and mileage but just shows that quality control is a problem everywhere. I also took time to clean out the intake track and throttle body which were rather dirty. Seat of the pants test following the work says performance feels snappier and the engine a bit smoother. This engine is a 2007, mileage was 95500, the plugs had opened up quite a bit compared to the new ones - I didn't bother to measure them.

Have fun but plan on a solid Saturday morning to do the job.

[b_myers]

can somebody post the oem part number or tech name of the manifold gasket that gets replaced. i want to make sure i'm ordering the correct one.

[truckintube]

I'm going to do it over this weekend.
as parts, these are all I need (I think just sparkplug and intake manifold gasket)
got all at advance auto parts

gasket
Felpro Intake Manifold Gasket Set
Part number MS 96454

plugs
NGK Iridium Ix Spark Plug
Part Number 4469

what do I need for tools? 10mm socket, plug socket(14mm??), anything else?
I'm also thinking about spray the cleaner in manifold when it's out of the engine to clean a bit. I do have spray for that.

I see the plug gap is at 0.44 is it better off doing it with 0.4?

[truckintube]

took about little more than 2 1/2 hours but it wasn't that hard to do....
and I found there is back one cylinder had oil..... so I guess I gotta go back and put new valve cover/gasket, or trade this baby in for economy car.... due to my job.....