Spark plug removal? Changed your feelings for BRZ?

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

What's all this about a Subaru mechanic worth their weight? As a shade tree mechanic, I did plugs on my WRX for the first time ever in about 2 hours, with no previous experience on a Subaru, or any car ever for that matter. It was kind of a bitch, but I certainly didn't get the engine out of the car. You had to first remove the stock intake snorkel and airbox for the passenger side (maybe move the power steering reservoir too); the driver's side required removing the windshield washer reservoir (larger on my wagon than on the sedans). That's it. Flex head + extension, done.

On the bugeyes there are no air pumps so they are quicker than the newer ones. It takes about 2hrs with cool down etc to do em on just about any subie.

-mike


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[Sleeperz]

What type of seal is used on the sparkplug? Taper seal or washer gasket?

Also a problem of leaving a sparkplug along time in an aluminum head is the threads in the head may strip out when removing. Does anyone put antiseize on the sparkplug threads before putting them back on?

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Sleeperz

Also a problem of leaving a sparkplug along time in an aluminum head is the threads in the head may strip out when removing. Does anyone put antiseize on the sparkplug threads before putting them back on?

Every human being on the planet should know to do this.

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

What's all this about a Subaru mechanic worth their weight? As a shade tree mechanic, I did plugs on my WRX for the first time ever in about 2 hours, with no previous experience on a Subaru, or any car ever for that matter. It was kind of a bitch, but I certainly didn't get the engine out of the car. You had to first remove the stock intake snorkel and airbox for the passenger side (maybe move the power steering reservoir too); the driver's side required removing the windshield washer reservoir (larger on my wagon than on the sedans). That's it. Flex head + extension, done.

I specified a Subaru mechanic because then the time would be around 30 minutes to swap plugs. Any mechanic can do it, but someone familiar with boxer motors could do it much quicker the first time. Obviously each time you would get faster if it was indeed your first time. It took me a bit over an hour the first time I did it, but I did it on my car 3 times and on other Subaru, making the task easier each time. I wasn't trying to insult others, just saying how easy and quick and can be if you have experience with them.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Sleeperz

Does anyone put antiseize on the sparkplug threads before putting them back on?

I do. I know people who don't. It's worth it so the threads don't strip out or heads crack, which is common. Just watch out how much you use, they might back out if you're not careful.

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

On the bugeyes there are no air pumps so they are quicker than the newer ones. It takes about 2hrs with cool down etc to do em on just about any subie.

Ahhh, forgot about the air pumps on newer models.

[FrX]

Originally Posted by Sleeperz

Also a problem of leaving a sparkplug along time in an aluminum head is the threads in the head may strip out when removing. Does anyone put antiseize on the sparkplug threads before putting them back on?

For aluminum heads, I always use anti-seize. Also make sure to torque to the proper values with a torque wrench. Most people end up over-tightening the spark plugs, which can be a bad thing on aluminum heads.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by FrX

For aluminum heads, I always use anti-seize. Also make sure to torque to the proper values with a torque wrench. Most people end up over-tightening the spark plugs, which can be a bad thing on aluminum heads.

Getting a torque wrench in there is a bitch and using a (flex) extension only insures whatever torque you're reading isn't the torque you're torquing. Unless you have a small in-lb torque wrench, I guess.

[Archer1.8]

Welcome to the world of Subaru engines. It always sucked to watch EVO guys change their cams in a couple of hours...a subaru takes a couple of days

[BMWDavid]

Originally Posted by BMWDavid

By now some of you have read the spark plug removal instructions in the service manual.

Yeow! Has this soured anyone on getting a BRZ/FR-S? It has caused me to rethink it a bit. Still waiting for my car to arrive and I'll need to see how I fit in it and give it a quick run down the road before making final decision to buy the car.

But the spark plug issue will be in my mind.

Well I bought the car. Realized that the spark plugs won't need changed for 60,000 miles possibly longer. Might not even have the car then.

Having a blast with it!

[Dustin@Dynosty]

We can confirm removal of number 1 (with just overpipe removed) and number 2 plug can be done with out anything else removed, the frame is wider at the front, the rear gets a little tighter so those are questionable, if I get time I will investigate further. The coils are very flexible at least with only 2,000 miles on them. It is a very tight squeeze, recommend small hands.

[ahausheer]

Originally Posted by FrX

For aluminum heads, I always use anti-seize. Also make sure to torque to the proper values with a torque wrench. Most people end up over-tightening the spark plugs, which can be a bad thing on aluminum heads.

FYI- If you are using anti-seize the torque measurement will be wrong because the threads are essentially lubricated. Less friction, less torque. The bolt will be over-tightened but ''read'' that it is properly torqued. Most spark plugs tell you to hand tighten, then tighten either 1/8th or 1/16 turn tighter.

[SFTiofoso]

Seriously though, 90% of this so called "headache" will be the second owner's problem. Plugs are designed to last 100K miles.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by SFTiofoso

Seriously though, 90% of this so called "headache" will be the second owner's problem. Plugs are designed to last 100K miles.

60K change per the car's schedule maintenance book.

[MRZ415]

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that the Spark Plugs on the new FA
engine on the BRZ only requires removal of both front wheels and wheel wells to
gain access.

(( I am probably totally wrong on this and that is probably why I am ONLY going
to attempt basic oil changes on my own and leaving spark plug change to PROS))