I'll be chaning my spark plugs in a week or two. I read through the How-to and it's pretty straight forward. My question though is do I need a special ratchet to replace them? I ask because I have a "standard" ratchet. I'll be using NGK copper plugs if it makes a difference. Any cautionary advice?

~THT

 

Nothing special its easy. I use a swivel head ratchet because It makes getting to the rear 3 easier due to the angle of the trunk. An extension may come in handy too. Standard spark plug socket (5/8).

 

You will need a 5/8" deep well socket, preferably with the rubber inside to help pull the plug out. I'm going to do it soon too.

 

All you need is a spark plug socket(5/8th) and an extension, 6-8". Make sure to have a 10mm or 12mm to remove the bracket that's blocking the rear, right-most plug. Also, while you got the plugs out, why not put a cap or 2 of ATF in each cylinder to clean all the crap out of there. Just a warning, **** LOAD of smoke.

 

yep i did this too but i accidently put too much. was kinda hard to start and was smokin for a lil while. i guess it helped a lil. get yourself the socket with the rubber inside it is sooooo much easier and will save u some time. no matter what stick with ngk, coppers or plats just make sure you stick with the best. have fun man, this is a great maintainance job to do on your own and just make sure you take your time and good luck.

 

How would this clean out the cylinders? Will any DEXIII do?

 

DexII or III. Don't know how or why but I heard many people say it works miracles so I tried it and it seemed to work.

 

Okay, so cap of ATF in each cylinder when the plugs are out. Turn the car over and expect smoke, run the car until there's no more smoke. Anything I need to be careful of?

~THT

 

Dumb *** question but is the smoke comming out of the tail pipe or from the engine bay?

 

Tail pipe from a few pics that I've seen.

~THT

 

the tail pipe
i dont kno about everyone else but mine smeled bad like burning fish or something. i actualy got nauseous (sp?) anyones else car smelled horible after putting the ATF in the cylinders

 

nope, it's just smelled like smoke... didn't bother me too much, but I wasn't tyring to smell it either.

 

Dumb question....ATF means what? Automatic Transmission Fluid?
Are you guys with manual doing this too?
How doe that help?
What exactly are you cleaning?

 

werd wat is atf?

 

Proper sockets come in most socket sets. I boughta $10 set from walmart, and it had two rubber-inserted plug sockets.

You need a long extension. Due to particulars on my 00 max I found that I needed the long extension and then for another plug I think I used two shorter ones at the same time. Anyway, I had a stanley kit (also from walmart) of ratchet extensions and it served me well.

You can buy some dielectric grease (go to advance auto parts - at the front desk they have little green packets for a buck each; you need one) to grease the top of the plugs with. I also greased where they contact my sockets, which made pulling the socket out after inserting the plug (otherwise they may be sticky in the socket, and your socket will get stuck down below).

It's easy though. No real warnings.

 

Yes ATF is auto tranny fluid and you will have HUGE white smoke coming from the exhaust and small clouds of smoke under the hood. Keep the hood open.