How do you change a spark plug on a car?
Apply a little bit of dielectric grease – cover about ¼” of the coil, where it contacts the top of the plug once in the hole. Gently push downward until the coil is within 1/16” of where it bolts down. Reinstall the hold-down bolt in the coil. Replace the coil connector and anything else that you disconnected and move on to the next plug.
Can a spark plug get out of alignment?
If your socket gets out of alignment, it could crack the ceramic on the plug and cause debris. In order to properly install your new spark plugs, you must first ensure that the plugs have the right gap size. Without checking and adjusting your spark plugs accordingly, your engine performance could be compromised.
How often should you change your spark plugs?
It’s a very small part of your vehicle’s mechanical make-up but can have huge impact on performance. Most manufacturers recommend replacing your spark plugs every 30,000 miles but, depending on what type of plug you use, you may be able to change them every 60,000 to 80,000 miles. Check out our video on which spark plug to use for more information.
Do you need to replace coil boots when replacing spark plugs?
Be cautious when you’re installing your new spark plugs to avoid damaging them. When you replace your spark plugs, it’s also recommended that you replace your coil boots. Remember: if you have carbon tracking on one or more of your spark plugs, replacing your coil boots is necessary.
How do you replace a spark plug in a Ford Explorer?
Pull back on the wires to reveal the spark plugs. Turn one spark plug wire by its boot, which is the larger piece at the end of the wire. Place the socket over the spark plug and unscrew it until the old spark plug is free from the cylinder well. Brush out the wire boot and cylinder well to remove any debris.
What’s the best way to gap spark plugs?
Also note that for platinum or iridium spark plugs, only use the spoke style gap tool instead of the older ramp style gap tool. The ramp style relies on making contact with the electrodes to find the gap and can damage the fragile ends. Check your plugs and your tools to ensure you’re using the right equipment to gap.
What does it mean when a spark plug is removed from a car?
Look at each spark plug as it’s removed to see if it has any lines that run from top to bottom that won’t wipe off with a rag. If there are lines, this is called carbon tracking, and indicates that you need to replace the coil boot for that cylinder.