Replacing Spark Plugs

Got a problem with your FTO? ask about it here

Moderators: IMC, Club Staff

User avatar
tb447
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 17
jedwabna poszewka promocja
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:00 pm

Replacing Spark Plugs

Post by tb447 »

My FTO has hit the 100k mark and its time to replace the spark plugs. I've already bought 6 NGK Iridium spark plugs, and I took my car to KMART Tyres and Auto, but they didn't have a socket that would go in to unscrew the plugs, since the FTO has a curve in the middle of the channel from where you take out the spark plugs.

Therefore I couldn't get them replaced :( . Does anyone know where I could pick up a socket that would fit the FTO? Or does anyone know of any good FTO servicing places in Sydney, that would have the needed tools and expertise to replace the spark plugs.

Any advise would help.

Cheers
John
User avatar
khunjeng
Oldtimer
Posts: 4455
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 5:00 pm
Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Post by khunjeng »

Your right...it requires a thin sparkie socket to get down the hole.

I bought the thinnest one I could find then had to grid it down until it fitted...this is a fairly standard process...

If you could get a tube spanner long enough that would be ideal.
User avatar
rock_it
Oldtimer
Posts: 6599
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:00 pm
Location: The Shire .. NSW
Contact:

Re: Replacing Spark Plugs

Post by rock_it »

tb447 wrote:My FTO has hit the 100k mark and its time to replace the spark plugs. I've already bought 6 NGK Iridium spark plugs, and I took my car to KMART Tyres and Auto, but they didn't have a socket that would go in to unscrew the plugs, since the FTO has a curve in the middle of the channel from where you take out the spark plugs.

Therefore I couldn't get them replaced :( . Does anyone know where I could pick up a socket that would fit the FTO? Or does anyone know of any good FTO servicing places in Sydney, that would have the needed tools and expertise to replace the spark plugs.

Any advise would help.

Cheers
John
Ricol Automotive at Peakhurst do all my cars... They do all sorts of Jap cars...
JOeJOe
Oldtimer
Posts: 1554
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:00 pm

Post by JOeJOe »

Have you checked the tool bag that came with the FTO? You may have the tube spanner in there, when I bought my car it was in the bag.
User avatar
bigpitty1
Mechanic
Posts: 629
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:00 pm
Location: Mackay

Post by bigpitty1 »

The tool kit that comes with the fto should have a spark plug tube socket.
User avatar
khunjeng
Oldtimer
Posts: 4455
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 5:00 pm
Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Post by khunjeng »

bigpitty1 wrote:The tool kit that comes with the fto should have a spark plug tube socket.
if u got one...I didnt.
User avatar
tb447
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 17
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:00 pm

Thanks for all the input

Post by tb447 »

Hi there,

Thank you for all that information, unfortunatley, I didn't get any tool kits when I bought this car, I did get the flare :D

I will give the guys at peakhurst a call. Its an expensive exercise getting the spark plugs done, the spark plugs were like $120 and kmart try and auto were going to charge me $300 to replace them. Luck you only need to do them once every 100ks.

Cheers.
JOeJOe
Oldtimer
Posts: 1554
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:00 pm

Re: Thanks for all the input

Post by JOeJOe »

tb447 wrote:Hi there,

Thank you for all that information, unfortunatley, I didn't get any tool kits when I bought this car, I did get the flare :D

I will give the guys at peakhurst a call. Its an expensive exercise getting the spark plugs done, the spark plugs were like $120 and kmart try and auto were going to charge me $300 to replace them. Luck you only need to do them once every 100ks.

Cheers.
$300 is a rip, with the right tools it should only be a 1 hour job. I changed mine and it took me a tad over an hour coz it was my first time removing the manifold.

Also unless you use platinum sparkies, you need to change it a couple times before you reach the 100km mark.
User avatar
MissxFTO
Veteran Mechanic
Posts: 886
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:00 pm
Location: Brisbane
Contact:

Re: Thanks for all the input

Post by MissxFTO »

JOeJOe wrote:
tb447 wrote:Hi there,

Thank you for all that information, unfortunatley, I didn't get any tool kits when I bought this car, I did get the flare :D

I will give the guys at peakhurst a call. Its an expensive exercise getting the spark plugs done, the spark plugs were like $120 and kmart try and auto were going to charge me $300 to replace them. Luck you only need to do them once every 100ks.

Cheers.
$300 is a rip, with the right tools it should only be a 1 hour job. I changed mine and it took me a tad over an hour coz it was my first time removing the manifold.

Also unless you use platinum sparkies, you need to change it a couple times before you reach the 100km mark.
Im with you on that one.
I did mine a while back took about 20 mins to get the manifold off and then yeh basically the rest of the time was putting the plugs back in and puttint it all back together.

not to hard if your careful :) saves you a lot of money.
[img]http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/923/msf70lz5.jpg[/img]
User avatar
Delvance
Veteran Mechanic
Posts: 1194
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:00 pm
Location: Sydney South

Post by Delvance »

300?!? What a rip... don't go back there!

I got my 6 plugs changed, new leads put on and oil and filter changed for $80...mates rates of course.

This hobby is a lot easier with connections lol...
User avatar
Richy
Mechanic
Posts: 517
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:00 pm
Location: Sydney

Post by Richy »

I got my 6 plugs changed, new leads put on and oil and filter changed for $80...mates rates of course.

This hobby is a lot easier with connections lol...
introduce me to your mates...so they become my mates...then i can get mates rate..... :lol: :lol:
User avatar
payaya
Oldtimer
Posts: 3670
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:00 pm

Post by payaya »

Delvance wrote:300?!? What a rip... don't go back there!

I got my 6 plugs changed, new leads put on and oil and filter changed for $80...mates rates of course.

This hobby is a lot easier with connections lol...
Mate even if you got trade prices parts alone would be more than that.

I'll buy 6 plugs, leads, oil and filer I'll give you $150.00. Heres your chance to make a lot of money.

$100 bucks profit per person.
JOeJOe
Oldtimer
Posts: 1554
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:00 pm

Post by JOeJOe »

payaya wrote:
Delvance wrote:300?!? What a rip... don't go back there!

I got my 6 plugs changed, new leads put on and oil and filter changed for $80...mates rates of course.

This hobby is a lot easier with connections lol...
Mate even if you got trade prices parts alone would be more than that.

I'll buy 6 plugs, leads, oil and filer I'll give you $150.00. Heres your chance to make a lot of money.

$100 bucks profit per person.
I think he meant $80 for the labour only to change it not $80 for labour and parts.
JOeJOe
Oldtimer
Posts: 1554
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:00 pm

Post by JOeJOe »

I just changed my leads today, I have a slight problem. When I turn the car on and let it running and 'putt putt' noise comes out of the exhuast plus the car is shaking a bit more then usual at idle.

Another thing, I can smell petrol fumes as well. Leads not connected flush maybe? Any ideas guys?

Edit: all good now, the leads didn't connect properly.
User avatar
Delvance
Veteran Mechanic
Posts: 1194
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:00 pm
Location: Sydney South

Post by Delvance »

Lol joejoe got it, i meant labour only. Which is still fantastic considering he comes to my place to do it haha.

JOeJOe wrote:I just changed my leads today, I have a slight problem. When I turn the car on and let it running and 'putt putt' noise comes out of the exhuast plus the car is shaking a bit more then usual at idle.

Another thing, I can smell petrol fumes as well. Leads not connected flush maybe? Any ideas guys?

Edit: all good now, the leads didn't connect properly.
Lol you dropped a cylinder :P

Yeah the plug boots on the magnecor leads are pretty damn tight. I actually shortened the boots on mine to make sure it went all the way in instead of a partial connection.
User avatar
tb447
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 17
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:00 pm

Where to get them replaced?

Post by tb447 »

Okay I rang Ricol Automotive at Peakhurst and they said it would take
2-3 hours ($77/hr) :( coz they'll have to remove the Mainfold.

Boys does that sound reasonable?

Or is there any where else I could try??

I have to get it done next week, so any advise before then would be great.

Cheers
JOeJOe
Oldtimer
Posts: 1554
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:00 pm

Re: Where to get them replaced?

Post by JOeJOe »

tb447 wrote:Okay I rang Ricol Automotive at Peakhurst and they said it would take
2-3 hours ($77/hr) :( coz they'll have to remove the Mainfold.

Boys does that sound reasonable?

Or is there any where else I could try??

I have to get it done next week, so any advise before then would be great.

Cheers
It takes no more then 30 mins to remove the manifold and another 30 mins to put in the new plugs. It shouldn't take more then an hour to do it.

Try doing it yourself, it's not that hard. Follow Jonowongs instructions on how to remove the manifold, if you need the spanner tube to remove the plugs I can lend you mine.
User avatar
khunjeng
Oldtimer
Posts: 4455
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 5:00 pm
Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Re: Where to get them replaced?

Post by khunjeng »

tb447 wrote:Okay I rang Ricol Automotive at Peakhurst and they said it would take
2-3 hours ($77/hr) :( coz they'll have to remove the Mainfold.

Boys does that sound reasonable?

Or is there any where else I could try??

I have to get it done next week, so any advise before then would be great.

Cheers
3hrs is a lot. 1.5hrs max. Takes me about 45min...for a shop, should take the same or less.
User avatar
jonowong
Oldtimer
Posts: 3420
Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:00 pm
Location: Sydney

Re: Where to get them replaced?

Post by jonowong »

tb447 wrote:Okay I rang Ricol Automotive at Peakhurst and they said it would take
2-3 hours ($77/hr) :( coz they'll have to remove the Mainfold.

Boys does that sound reasonable?

Or is there any where else I could try??

I have to get it done next week, so any advise before then would be great.

Cheers
ill be glad to help you after my exams are over...

u can pay with a deck of winny blues and a 6 pack of TEDs
JOeJOe
Oldtimer
Posts: 1554
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:00 pm

Post by JOeJOe »

Jonowong, change my tranny fluid for me I'll get your 6 pack corona :D
Post Reply