Changing spark plugs

[D K]

I changed mine yesterday.

It was a pita but not undoable.
Engine doesnt have to move!


The boots on the coils are flexible so you just wiggle them out.

The thinkg I would encourage is to find a short extension that doesnt 'stick' to the 14mm deep socket.
If it does, you are in for a long afternoon as you need to seperate the socket from the extension inside the spark plug cavity.
The second thing I would do is put a piece of rubber inside the socket that captures the plug.
A thick O-ring might do.

I might buy a cheap extension and knock the detent ball out now that I think of it.

Also, you dont need to remove anywhere near as much stuff as you first think.
You can get your hand in there and just have to feel it out.

[roddy]

I checked out one of mine a week or so ago, and was thankful for the flexible plug boots. I wonder if that is part of the reason for coil failures...it looks like they use a spring as the contact point for the plug, rather than a clip that snaps securely onto the end of the sparkplug. I had the same idea about knocking the detent ball out of a cheap extension. It is odd that the sparkplug takes a 9/16" socket instead of the usual 5/8".
Which one was the most difficult for you to do? The one I attempted was the rear plug on the driver's side, but it is freakin' tight in there. I've got big hands and an effed up shoulder, so only got as far as pulling the coil, and getting a socket on the plug before I thought better of it. If that is the tightest one, or the rear one on the passenger side isn't too much worse, I'll give it a go when the shoulder feels up to it.
Thanks for the post.

[FrostedFlakes]

Originally Posted by D K

I changed mine yesterday.

It was a pita but not undoable.
Engine doesnt have to move!


The boots on the coils are flexible so you just wiggle them out.

The thinkg I would encourage is to find a short extension that doesnt 'stick' to the 14mm deep socket.
If it does, you are in for a long afternoon as you need to seperate the socket from the extension inside the spark plug cavity.
The second thing I would do is put a piece of rubber inside the socket that captures the plug.
A thick O-ring might do.

I might buy a cheap extension and knock the detent ball out now that I think of it.

Also, you dont need to remove anywhere near as much stuff as you first think.
You can get your hand in there and just have to feel it out.

The OP used a combination of a flex joint extension instead of one piece shorty extension. Would that have worked better you think?

Also with the idea of an o ring in socket, it may work to get a better stick on the plugs, however I would hate to have to fish it out if it came loose out of the socket during the removal process. There are magnetic spark plug sockets that you can buy which is a good investment to replace the crappy ones we have in our tool box.

*Update - I just did a search out of curiosity and there seems to be flexible socket extension in the market.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-pc-Flexibl...-/371051551461

[D K]

The rubber gasket wouldn't come loose if it was the correct size.

Normal spark plug sockets have those already.

I dont lime the idea of the flex joint because you lose leverage.
You would need 2 hands then.

With a stubby, once its on, you can crack them loose with just one hand.

[FR-S Future Owner]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

This is just crazy to replace spark plugs. This is probably the biggest downfall of the boxer design.

Agreed.

[FR-S Future Owner]

Originally Posted by Haulin

It looks like I am in for some pain. I have left it way too long (270,000KM) & now I am getting a P0350/351 code. Hopefully not a coil pack & just worn out spark plugs. One way to find out. lol

Originally Posted by Haulin

I hear people say they would love to own an FRS but can’t because it snows where they are. I commute 1,000 KM a week through the snow belt of Georgian Bay in central Ontario. I have oil changes in Alberta, Texas & all over – every dealer I visit tells me that I have the most mileage they have seen on an FRS.

And my car was NOT babied for 270,000 KM ... it was beaten and redlined continuously since the day I drove it off the lot.

270,000KM = 167,770 miles

[brandonblt2]

About to get my plugs changed just went to the dealer they are charging $350 with spark plugs and $280 without spark plugs. Anyone know if this seems reasonable?

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by 86kahl

I used a "wobble" extension to get at them, once you remove the DI ECU and metal injector covering it's really not that bad from the top

Hey, is there anyway you can provide some details/instructions on what parts you need and how to get to the spark plugs? I tried looking all over the site and found minimal information on changing them out

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by FRSToyota86

Can you fit a torque wrench in there?

You dont want to over torque, or under torque these spark plugs. Its crucial. This shout out goes to the specially goes to the Newbies. Torque specs are there for a reason. You don't want to screw this up...

If you have the patience just follow service manual and do it the right way.

Thank you!

So is everybody that's doing their own spark plug changes, are you all using torque wrenches?

[zeal86]

Originally Posted by jarviz

So is everybody that's doing their own spark plug changes, are you all using torque wrenches?

I did... but I jacked up one side at a time. I work on planes and helicopters... we torque just about everything...so I feel that to do it right, you have to torque all the components requiring a torque.

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[humfrz]

Originally Posted by jarviz

Hey, is there anyway you can provide some details/instructions on what parts you need and how to get to the spark plugs? I tried looking all over the site and found minimal information on changing them out

Well, OK.

Pick up phone, make an appointment at the auto shop/dealership.

Place key in ignition, start car, drive to the shop.

Walk across the street, have breakfast/lunch, have a seat in the waiting room, read car magazine, take a snooze.

Pay cashier, drive home.




humfrz

[Teseo]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, OK.

Pick up phone, make an appointment at the auto shop/dealership.

Place key in ignition, start car, drive to the shop.

Walk across the street, have breakfast/lunch, have a seat in the waiting room, read car magazine, take a snooze.

Pay cashier, drive home.




humfrz

And how much they robbed you?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Teseo

And how much they robbed you?

I wouldn't know, because I haven't had the plugs changed yet (my car has only 16,000 miles).

However, I did read the various on-line DIY instructions and figured whatever my buddies up at my local auto shop would charge, would be worth it.

Yes, I could do it myself, and yes, I have changed thousands of spark plugs, I just don't "bend" and "see" well enough anymore to tackle the job.........OK, you're right ....... I'm just lazy ......


humfrz

[takethecake]

I changed my plugs on sunday at ~58k miles, took me about 7 hours to do that and an oil change. I think it'll take me 3 if I have to do it again - I'll be able to make sure I have all the sockets/extensions/adapters I need.

This came in handy for unbolting the screws holding the coil packs on. Also the telescoping magnet on a stick is a must - if you drop shit all the time like I do, you might even want to take off the metal underbody panel protecting the transmission/exhaust so everything just falls on the ground lol..

ALSO, I just ordered some thin kevlar gloves and heat sleeves - my arms and hands are covered in little cuts and scrapes.