Need help with removing #4 sparkplug in 97 3.8

[Jason Armes]

I was changing plugs on my wife's 97 firebird, and I got the the #4 plug (middle plug on passenger side) HOW IN THE HELL do you get that POS out of there. THere is abosolutly no room!!!!!!!!! Changing plugs in my lt1 was not this frustrating (or at least I dont remember it being!!

I did a search, and found some references to this being the hardest one to get to.

I cant even get my hand back there to even slip the socket on the plug!! I tried removing the heat shield but I cant get it to come all the way off. Is there any trick to getting it out of there?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. This is the only plug holding me up from finishing!!

Thanks for any help guys

Jason

[Dominic]

I recall some people saying it was easier to get to the plugs from underneath the car on the 99s and earlier 3.8s with the crudola manifolds [img]smile.gif[/img]

Sorry about the plugs, I feel for ya ;)

[NSolano]

That pulug is a pain in the *** just like the middle plug on the driver side, not sure what number. To get the wire off I had to use a screwdriver in front of it and push it back, took a while and it slipped a couple of times, i had like 3 cuts. To get the plug off was easier, just get that long socket i think 3/8 and it fits fine, not very hard.
I just hate the fact that 3.8's have a problem with burning wires, mine have burnt 3 times already, I have to change them and reposition them eveytime. I have a problem with wire for cylinder 6 always, So this tim ei taped it to the parts that dont get hot so it stays there permanently without touching the hto engine.

[Pewter99Camaro]

I think I got the plug from the top w/ an extension.

[Jason Armes]

Thanks guys for the help. Did any of you remove the heat shield to get to it? Last night I just couldnt even get the socket on it, I didnt have enough room to manauver to get to it.

I will try again this morning though. I may have just been soo tired after messing with the #@$% @#%% @#$$%$$ WIRE LOOMS!!!! Man those where a PITA too!@!!! Catch was facing the opposite side, etc..

Anyways, thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes.

Jason

[silvachris1]

On my 99 Camaro I took all the plugs out from the bottom except 4 and 1 (I think). I put the socket on plug 4 from the bottom, then put the extension on it from the top side. And that was it. Whole job took me 3.5 hours for my first try. Good luck with #4.

[satellite98]

Sell it and get a Mustang ;) [img]tongue.gif[/img]


Seriously, I haven't changed them yet so you guys are scaring me. I heard of one guy taking his to a shop (to have them change the plugs) and they skipped over one :( .

[ June 01, 2003: Message edited by: satellite98 ]</p>

[97GreenRS]

You have to take the heat sheilds off, once theyre off its easy as hell to get out.

[Jason Armes]

I got finished today. Took me about two more hours, and that was putting everything back together and all the tools put up. I think I may have just been too tired late friday night to finish it up [img]smile.gif[/img] I wasnt even home long enough sat to even look at the car.

Anyways, I still couldnt get all the heat shield off. I took this bottom piece that was on the tail piece of the exhaust manifold. Funny thing about that was, the top bolt there wasnt enough room for you to put a socket wrench on it, but the same size combo wrench would not grip the bolt??? [img]tongue.gif[/img] uzzled Beats me, 10 mm socket works, 10mm wrench doesnt. So I broke out the trusty vice grips [img]smile.gif[/img]

So with that piece gone, and the heat shield pushed up a little out of the way, I could get to it. So now I know!! It will be quicker next time. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thanks guys for all of your help [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]
Jason

[96_V6_Fbody]

Is this gonna be a problem on my 3.4?? I'm getting close to needing new plugs. Anything I should know?

[jamesbrogdon]

Jason,

Just for reference, I've had the same experience with sockets and wrenches not actually being the same size, even when they were made by the same manufacturer...

I can't remember if there's actually a reason for it, I asked my dad on one of those garage days and all I remember is him mumbling something [img]smile.gif[/img]

J-