Changing spark plugs and leads.

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:45 pm

Hey guys a mate and I are going to change my spark plugs and leads this week and just wondering what else do I need to complete the job? (I've got the plugs and leads already).
He suggested I might need:
-intake manifold gasket
- spark plug gasket if the plugs are centerbore (?)
- spark plug spanner (I know the FTO needs a weird one, anyone got one I can borrow for a day?)
- rocker cover seal/gasket

How much of these do I need and any suggestions where to get them?
Thanks heaps in advance, I'm hoping to get this done on Thursday, so hopefully I can get the parts on Wednesday.

Post by **vipfto** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:08 pm

dont need to remove rocker covers but always a good idea to change them anyway and same for plug seals if removing rockers.

Intake gasket not a biggie i/ve removed mine a hundred times and never had to replace as its a steel type one.

Would recomend giving Throttle body a good clean out though while your in there other than that pretty simple job oh and only need a special plug tool if its a GPX the GR is really simple and a normal thin plug remover works fine

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:11 pm

vipfto wrote:dont need to remove rocker covers but always a good idea to change them anyway and same for plug seals if removing rockers.

Intake gasket not a biggie i/ve removed mine a hundred times and never had to replace as its a steel type one.

Would recomend giving Throttle body a good clean out though while your in there other than that pretty simple job oh and only need a special plug tool if its a GPX the GR is really simple and a normal thin plug remover works fine

I've got the MIVEC roar, haha so funny shaped tool it is.

haha
Any suggestions where I can get the rocker cover and plug seals? (are these shared with anything else?)

Thanks for your help

Post by **vipfto** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:20 pm

camskill was ehre i got mine but maybe bursons etc?

Popo · Post by **Popo** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 2:30 pm

The spark plug spanner Can get it in super cheap, that's just the head and what u need to do is to modify it longer a bit.

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:40 pm

vipfto wrote:camskill was ehre i got mine but maybe bursons etc?

Are there any specific part numbers I will need?
I've found them on Camskill, so I have a backup if I can't source them, but I did want this done by the bonfire...
Do I have to change these parts, or can it be done without buying anything extra other than the plugs and leads?

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:42 pm

I made my own on the bench grinder lol. Welcome to borrow it.

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:45 pm

Bennoz wrote:I made my own on the bench grinder lol. Welcome to borrow it.

Thanks heaps mate

What are your opinions on changing the other stuff? Is it all really necessary?
I'm going to go to Bursons tomorrow and hopefully get some parts, (I might check SCA first though because I need to return something there too).
But IF I cannot get all the parts on the list, can I still do the change?

Edit: can you PM me your number so I can contact you to get address, etc? haha

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:53 pm

sounds like your guy is trying to crack the top open to have a 'visual inspection' if he does that, yes

-you will need a new intake manifold
-and a new rocker cover gasket
--this might lead on to you needing to replace tappet covers prone in MIVECS, then you'll need to buy or Fab a Tappet tool. i fabd one.

but if you're not getting any problems with the car a spark plug change will be needed at least
-so you'll need a 'spark plug spanner'
-- as Ben said, make your own by grinding down a long socket (or you can try and buy the mitsi one)
-the spark plug gaskets are just round seals between the long spark plug hole and the rocker cover, its wise to replace these at the 100,000km mark, they can get solid and leak

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:57 pm

SchumieFan wrote:sounds like your guy is trying to crack the top open to have a 'visual inspection' if he does that, yes

-you will need a new intake manifold
-and a new rocker cover gasket
--this might lead on to you needing to replace tappet covers prone in MIVECS, then you'll need to buy or Fab a Tappet tool. i fabd one.

but if you're not getting any problems with the car a spark plug change will be needed at least
-so you'll need a 'spark plug spanner'
-- as Ben said, make your own by grinding down a long socket (or you can try and buy the mitsi one)
-the spark plug gaskets are just round seals between the long spark plug hole and the rocker cover, its wise to replace these at the 100,000km mark, they can get solid and leak

Awesome, so I will have to check the seals and gauge whether or
Not these need replacing, (the car has 160k on it).
How do you get to the plugs and leads without having a
'visual inspection' as you say?
I thought you did have to open it all up?

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:03 pm

the leads are easy to get at, the plastic engine cover comes off and if you cant find them youd be hard up to find your own balls

other than that, they pop off pretty easily. straight access to the plugs with a 'spark plug tool'
rears youll need to take off the plenum, which will require you to replace the 'intake gasket'

but,
the only way to change the spark plug gaskets is to remove the rocker cover

thereby forcing you to replace the 'rocker cover gasket'
convenient?

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:07 pm

SchumieFan wrote:the leads are easy to get at, the plastic engine cover comes off and if you cant find them youd be hard up to find your own balls

other than that, they pop off pretty easily. straight access to the plugs with a 'spark plug tool'
rears youll need to take off the plenum, which will require you to replace the 'intake gasket'

but,
the only way to change the spark plug gaskets is to remove the rocker cover
thereby forcing you to replace the 'rocker cover gasket'
convenient?

ahah! so I do need to change it all!
I really do hope that bursons/SCA has the parts. Are they shared with any other car?
And I'm really hoping they are not pricey..

Post by **vipfto** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:28 pm

SchumieFan wrote:the leads are easy to get at, the plastic engine cover comes off and if you cant find them youd be hard up to find your own balls

other than that, they pop off pretty easily. straight access to the plugs with a 'spark plug tool'
rears youll need to take off the plenum, which will require you to replace the 'intake gasket'

but,
the only way to change the spark plug gaskets is to remove the rocker cover
thereby forcing you to replace the 'rocker cover gasket'
convenient?

sorry shumie but really you dont need to replace gaskets just because you have removed intake and rockers. Just be carefull and dont tear/crack them they will be fine. Like I said have removed mine plenty of times no leaks from either mate. However if they are old and cracked or intake one is bent then replace them

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:30 pm

vipfto wrote:
SchumieFan wrote:the leads are easy to get at, the plastic engine cover comes off and if you cant find them youd be hard up to find your own balls

other than that, they pop off pretty easily. straight access to the plugs with a 'spark plug tool'
rears youll need to take off the plenum, which will require you to replace the 'intake gasket'

but,
the only way to change the spark plug gaskets is to remove the rocker cover
thereby forcing you to replace the 'rocker cover gasket'
convenient?
sorry shumie but really you dont need to replace gaskets just because you have removed intake and rockers. Just be carefull and dont tear/crack them they will be fine. Like I said have removed mine plenty of times no leaks from either mate. However if they are old and cracked or intake one is bent then replace them

Thanks, so I may still give this a try even if I can't get the parts tomorrow. As with anything, I'm guessing it wouldn't hurt to replace the parts even if they aren't bad.

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:58 pm

160 thou kms odd i guarantee everyone would change the gaskets

edit:

if you had to remove the plenum after another 5 thou then yes you prob wouldnt have to change the gaskets

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 2:31 pm

Ok no stores have anything! USELESS! haha
Joys of an import I guess. So I'm going to have to wait and order from Camskill.
Just want to confirm with you guys, are these the parts I need: (GPX)
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m3b49s9p59
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... 17s9p14856

Although I can't find the intake gasket, any idea what other name this could be under?
Edit: could it be this one?
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?show=558

And Ben, I'll grab the spanner from you after I get all these bad boys I think.. haha

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 3:43 pm

bass_twitch wrote: Although I can't find the intake gasket, any idea what other name this could be under?
Edit: could it be this one?
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?show=558

yep thats the one...

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 4:37 pm

ok so I'm about to order all three things.. hope they are all what I need..

Post by **Bennoz** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 7:37 am

Without going back & reading all the faff, why are we doing all these gaskets for a simple plug change again?

bass_twitch · Post by **bass_twitch** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:15 am

Bennoz wrote:Without going back & reading all the faff, why are we doing all these gaskets for a simple plug change again?

Because I was told to... Lol.
What's your opinion ? I have put the order through with camskill but hvent confirmed it yet. So there is still time

lol
I would love to not do them (money is tight), but I want to look after my car and do it right...

FTO AUSTRALIA

Changing spark plugs and leads.

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