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Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:45 pm
by bass_twitch
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.
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:08 pm
by vipfto
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
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:11 pm
by bass_twitch
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

Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:20 pm
by vipfto
camskill was ehre i got mine but maybe bursons etc?
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 2:30 pm
by Popo
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.
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:40 pm
by bass_twitch
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?
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:42 pm
by Bennoz
I made my own on the bench grinder lol. Welcome to borrow it.
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:45 pm
by bass_twitch
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
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:53 pm
by SchumieFan
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
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:57 pm
by bass_twitch
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?
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:03 pm
by SchumieFan
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?

Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:07 pm
by bass_twitch
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..
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:28 pm
by vipfto
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
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:30 pm
by bass_twitch
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.
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:58 pm
by SchumieFan
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
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 2:31 pm
by bass_twitch
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
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 3:43 pm
by SchumieFan
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 4:37 pm
by bass_twitch
ok so I'm about to order all three things.. hope they are all what I need..

Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 7:37 am
by Bennoz
Without going back & reading all the faff, why are we doing all these gaskets for a simple plug change again?
Re: Changing spark plugs and leads.
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:15 am
by bass_twitch
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...