Has anyone changed their own spark plugs??

[RodVette]

I'm at 30,000 miles and it's time for the spark plugs to be changed out. Has anyone done this before? Is this a diffucult task or is it a matter of getting the right tools taking out the old and putting in the new without any kind of adjustments or measurements?

[jflo]

it's not really difficult...all you need are a philips head screw driver, 4 replacement spark plugs, a gapping tool, a spark plug socket, a racket extension, a ratchet, and a 10mm socket. a torque wrench would also be useful.

just gap the plugs correctly and apply the right amount of torque to the plugs to seat them right.

[L8R]

it's not really difficult...all you need are a philips head screw driver, 4 replacement spark plugs, a gapping tool, a spark plug socket, a racket extension, a ratchet, and a 10mm socket. a torque wrench would also be useful.

just gap the plugs correctly and apply the right amount of torque to the plugs to seat them right.


yes, not that hard. make sure your motor is cool also. dont want to burn yourself installing. u will also need to buy lubricant ($1.00) for the spark plugs so it doesnt crack or break later when u install new plugs. the gapping tool is also like $1.00. torque wrench i didnt use, just dont over tighten.

its fairly simple. i did it for my first time w/o any problems. peace

[RodVette]

it's not really difficult...all you need are a philips head screw driver, 4 replacement spark plugs, a gapping tool, a spark plug socket, a racket extension, a ratchet, and a 10mm socket. a torque wrench would also be useful.

just gap the plugs correctly and apply the right amount of torque to the plugs to seat them right.


That's what I'm referring to...What is the correct GAP? What is the right amount of torque?

[LapisBlueProteg]

some plugs when u get them are pre gaped!

[eljefe305]

yeah if you get the plugs from discount auto parts or autozone they're pre-gapped it's always good to double check them though.

it's a super easy thing to do, make sure you also clean around spark plug before removing them to make sure no dirt or debri get into the combustion chamber.

[vindication]

.032

[RodVette]

yeah if you get the plugs from discount auto parts or autozone they're pre-gapped it's always good to double check them though.

it's a super easy thing to do, make sure you also clean around spark plug before removing them to make sure no dirt or debri get into the combustion chamber.


Thanks, so in double-checking the gap what should it be? Also, is the some kind of spray I would use to clean around the old plugs or do I just use a rag?

[mogi]

If you can, used compressed air to blow out the area around the spark before removing (they sit in a recessed area on the engine).
The gap should be something like 0.040 - 0.042, it is listed in your owner's manual if you want to double check.
As far as brand goes, get NGK or Denso if you want to stick with OEM brands, they work well and are reliable.
As suggested above, get a small tube of lubricant/anti-sieze to put on the new spark plug threads so you can get them out at a later date (e.g. when changing them next time).
If you don't have a torqure wrench, a good rule of thumb is get them finger tight, then take it a 1/4 to 1/2 turn more. Only a few foot-pounds of torque. Remember, it is an aluminum head, you don't want to strip the threads!

[Action Jackson]

Dielectric grease would be nice too.

[eljefe305]

Thanks, so in double-checking the gap what should it be? Also, is the some kind of spray I would use to clean around the old plugs or do I just use a rag?
compressed air really works best, but if not just a damp lint-free rag will do

[Jack Daniels]

Do you really need to change the plugs at 30k?

[RedKatanax9]

Do you really need to change the plugs at 30k?
Yeah, I am wondering too, mine is at 42K and I still haven't changed them.

[goldstar]

P5 and Sedan:
spark plug gap: .040-.043" (1.0-1.1 mm

tightening torque: 11-16 ft/lbs (15-22 N/m)

If you get the correct plugs from the dealer, they will be pre-gapped to spec.

According to the FSM, the plugs should be changed every 30,000 miles.

[JOS3]

mazda recommends that the plugs be changed at 30K miles

(rtfm)

[RodVette]

Are plug wires connected to the spark plugs? I was trying to take the first one off to get to the plug and it was rather hard to come off. Should I just pull harder or is there a certain way to get it off?

[RX]

Pull harder...and what kind of car do you have?

[toucci]

Are plug wires connected to the spark plugs? I was trying to take the first one off to get to the plug and it was rather hard to come off. Should I just pull harder or is there a certain way to get it off?

they just sit on there. be careful to not pull by the wire and they'll come off, but they go back on much more easily

[KpaBap]

Plugs will look like shit and start performing poorly at around 10-12k miles. Considering new plugs cost like nothing and it takes like 12.66 seconds to change the plugs..... Do you really need to wait till 30k miles? Penny wise I guess...

[Jack Daniels]

Plugs will look like shit and start performing poorly at around 10-12k miles. Considering new plugs cost like nothing and it takes like 12.66 seconds to change the plugs..... Do you really need to wait till 30k miles? Penny wise I guess...

10-12K miles?? WTF kind of crappy plugs are in this thing? I've got 90k on the wife's Regal GS's platinum plugs and it's running fine. I am going to change those soon however.

[KpaBap]

the plugs don't have to be crappy the electrode just gets worn down with time OMG I CNANT RUN MY PLUGZZ FOR 120K MILES FUCKING MAZDA I WANT MY MONIES BACK

congrats on being 80k miles overdue on the simplest and easiest preventative maintenance you can do

[Jack Daniels]

the plugs don't have to be crappy the electrode just gets worn down with time OMG I CNANT RUN MY PLUGZZ FOR 120K MILES FUCKING MAZDA I WANT MY MONIES BACK

congrats on being 80k miles overdue on the simplest and easiest preventative maintenance you can do

GM recommends 100k on the spark plugs. If it were running bad, missing or getting poor fuel mileage, I'd be inclined to change them. As it stands, it's doing just fine.

[KpaBap]

hm yea stupid me why would i want fresh plugs, i oughta leave mine in till a problem appears and TELLS me to change em

[Jack Daniels]

hm yea stupid me why would i want fresh plugs, i oughta leave mine in till a problem appears and TELLS me to change em

No need to be irate. Just questioning changing plugs in a modern car with such little mileage. Changing them in a P5 would certainly be easy. Getting to the rear bank on my Regal is not. I'm not going to do it any sooner than necessary.

[Protege52003]

my g/f's old (01) sentra gxe said to let the plugs go way over 30K. i believe it was like 60 or 75K. it is such an easy change and costs almost nothing i did them at 30K like when i do mine. can't hurt.......

[JJmp5]

I've got 88k and changed my plugs twice, but what about the wires how often should they be changed?

[ArchPro5]

What is a really good plug brand?.... not just reliable but performence?

[Gbourdon]

(yawn)

[mogi]

to be honest, you won't see much performance between the stock plugs and the long reach and the iridium, double platinum, super gold plated nitro injected uber-spark plugs

at most, they might last longer if anything...

[capnsavem]

10-12K miles?? WTF kind of crappy plugs are in this thing? I've got 90k on the wife's Regal GS's platinum plugs and it's running fine. I am going to change those soon however.

i think he was talking about buttplugs. (puke)

[KpaBap]

LOLOLO yuo are the master of all that is funny http://norcaltouge.com/files/gaytard.gif

[RaiderMP5]

GM does recommend their plugs for 100K. I had a 2000 Sonoma. The plugs were the only things that did not fall apart break, or otherwise end up at the dealer for a problem with. So 100K is great, if the whole car makes it up to that mileage. At 50K, it became 2 Mazdas, and someone elses financial burden.

I swapped outthe factory plugs at 15K for Bosche triple platinum plugs. Afterwards,a nd months later, I read how shitty these plugs are, but I did not have any problems. I installed an AWR mount Saturday night (thanks MelbourneP5!) and on Sunday, I noticed the whole friggin car shook like it was an 82 Honda with 400K miles. Even the windshield wipers shook violently. I understand the SWR mounts make you feel some vibration, but this was absurd! I went and got good ol NGK's, and popped them in. It purrs like a kitten now. a slight vibration, but nothing to complain about.

Oh, the Bosche plugs were fucking wasted. Total garbage. I will only put them in an old VW, that is all they are good for.

So put air in your tires, go get them fixed or upgraded, and get some new plugs. Took 5 minutes, and is the easiest form of maintenance.

[Jack Daniels]

Just for you guys, I'm going to take a look at the plugs on my P5 as well as my Regal this weekend.

I'll get back to you with the results, but here's my prediction:

Some of the Regal's plugs may be missing the platium puck on the electrode. I've seen that before on my Z28. It really enlarges the gap, but the coils are powerful enough to make the spark jump it. I'll go ahead and replace them since it's got 90k. The P5's plugs will look like new, and I'll put them right back in. :o

[KpaBap]

yea seriously guys why would there be any wear or deposits on the plugs after ONLY 30k miles in a combustion chamber at 1600+ degrees C and 2000 or so psi

so you'll spend the time to actually take the coils off and the plugs out to look at them, new plugs cost just about nothing, but yet you don't deem it appropriate to just throw in new plugs

looks to me like you're already making the effort anyway, spend the $4, really

[RaiderMP5]

$4 for plugs>?!? no way. These things cost a fortune! $6.79 at Auto Zone for the NGK's. That is a LOT more than the $4 you quote....(burnout)

J/K. Plugs are cheap. Swap em if you make the effort to look at them. Oh, and for the fucking LOVE of God, do not use Bosch Triple Platinums, they are garbage.

[KpaBap]

the ngk extended reach gave me 0.0314159 hp on the dyno (woowoo)