Change spark plugs?

[bc3tech]

So I open up the hood of my Ion to put in my new NGK's and I can't for the life of me figure out what I have to do to get the spark plugs out - anybody help me out here? I realize we have a coil-on-plug setup, and have never worked w/ one. Thanks!

[OhioVueBoy]

The black piece that says "Ecotec" on it has a few bolts around the edge. Those need to be undone, and the cassette pulls up with the plug boots under it. The plugs are deep in the head of the engine from there.
~D.J.~

[ssicarman]

Keep in mind that you don't need to change the plugs until 100,000 miles.
Only change the plugs on a COLD engine and torque them in--don't guess.

[bc3tech]

Originally Posted by OhioVueBoy

The black piece that says "Ecotec" on it has a few bolts around the edge. Those need to be undone, and the cassette pulls up with the plug boots under it. The plugs are deep in the head of the engine from there.

Thanks man!

Originally Posted by ssicarman

Keep in mind that you don't need to change the plugs until 100,000 miles.
Only change the plugs on a COLD engine and torque them in--don't guess.

I'm getting some NGK's so I'm replacing them for performance reasons right now - hopefully I'll see at least some improvement. Thanks for the advice about torquing them in - good thing I got myself a torque wrench not too long ago!

[vintagegz]

put a little bit of anti seize compound on the threads of the plugs, noy too much or you may over torque when installing, that way they do not seize in the head. When taking them out cold do so slowly so as not to damage the threads. But really stock plugs are great for their service life, no need to change early.

[jmettee]

Originally Posted by bc3tech

Thanks man!
I'm getting some NGK's so I'm replacing them for performance reasons right now - hopefully I'll see at least some improvement.

Don't hold your breath. Just like "upgrading" spark plug wires (on other cars), you will notice no difference unless your plugs are severely worn or one is faulty (you'd notice missing/stumbling).

The stock plugs are platinum tipped....good for ~100k miles. I just checked mine @ 32k miles & they were only worn .001"

J

[ssicarman]

Originally Posted by vintagegz

put a little bit of anti seize compound on the threads of the plugs, noy too much or you may over torque when installing, that way they do not seize in the head. When taking them out cold do so slowly so as not to damage the threads. But really stock plugs are great for their service life, no need to change early.

No anti sieze on the 2.2 Lt spark plugs. There is a chance that the cylinder head can be damaged.

[jmettee]

Originally Posted by ssicarman

No anti sieze on the 2.2 Lt spark plugs. There is a chance that the cylinder head can be damaged.

Cylinder head damage by using anti-seize compound????

How so???? (This doesn't make any sense to me as anti-seize prevents the aluminum head threads from sticking to the spark plug threads.)

J

[vintagegz]

I would also like to know how anti seize would damage the threads.Take a look at a plug that has been in an aluminum head for 4 or 5 years and try to take it out.

[ssicarman]

I am basing my info from the L-series 2.2 Lt campaign for replacing the spark plugs for misfire. Below is the appropiate info from the campaign.



Notice: This engine has an aluminum cylinder head. Do not remove the spark plugs from a hot engine. Removing spark plugs from a hot engine may cause cylinder head damage. Before spark plugs are removed, allow the engine to cool to below 49° C (120° F).

Replace spark plugs.
Important: Ensure water and debris are blown out of spark plug holes before removing spark plugs.


Remove old spark plugs using a 5/8 in. spark plug socket.

Spark Plug Gap
1.1 mm (0.45 in.)

Notice: Do NOT coat spark plug threads with anti-seize compound. If anti-seize compound is used and spark plugs are over-torqued, damage to the cylinder head threads may result.

[vintagegz]

The important thing to note is that it refers to over torquing the plugs which can damage the aluminum head. This can be done with or without anti seize, you must be careful. Anti seize just allows you to remove the plugs at a higher mileage without taking the aluminum threads out with the plug!

[Maritime Storm]

Jog my memory, Saturn always used NGK's as stock plugs, is this not the case with the ECOTEC?

[DSLaBuda]

the 1.9 motors were a saturn design. the ecotec is a gm global division design. while i'm not sure (Can someone verify?), i'd bet there are ac delco plugs in there.

[Bill Murray]

most of the GMs come with Denso's now

[DSLaBuda]

Originally Posted by Bill Murray

most of the GMs come with Denso's now

are they no longer producing their ac/delco brand of plugs for factory use then?

this has me really interested, it would blow ppl's mind about gm. other gm ppl @ my work have a 04 colorado, 05 cobalt, and a 04 deville. should have then check theirs to see how far this spreads. i really thought the denso usage in gm built gm's was limited to s-series saturn modes.

on a sidenote, what does that honda 3.5 in your vue use? for that matter, what does the opel (?) sourced 3.0L engine have?

[bc3tech]

what's the torque spec on the plugs or where can i find it? I'm putting the new NGK iridium's in today. FYI for anybody else that plans on doing this, you need a "deep socket" set to get the plugs in... I have to go buy myself a socket today.

[jentzsch23]

Originally Posted by bc3tech

what's the torque spec on the plugs or where can i find it? I'm putting the new NGK iridium's in today. FYI for anybody else that plans on doing this, you need a "deep socket" set to get the plugs in... I have to go buy myself a socket today.

BC3TECH: have you noticed any diffrence in the performance of your car since you changed your plugs? im loking to do the same and what to know if any real diffrence was made?

[bc3tech]

haven't had a go at the track yet this year. i'll let you know when I do.

[bgsneeze]

the saturn repair manual state that the gap for the plug should be 1.0mm. the plugs should be torqued to 20Nm or 15 lb ft.

[Bill Murray]

Originally Posted by DSLaBuda

are they no longer producing their ac/delco brand of plugs for factory use then?

http://www.mlive.com/business/fljour...810.xml&coll=5