Changing Spark Plugs

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Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Howdy all,

I have a '99 Grand Am (3.4 liter v6) and need to replace the spark plugs. I went to do that just now and realized that apparently they don't just come out very easily. When I pulled the boot off, this is what's left:
plugs.jpg

Looks like they are encased in something. There is the little hex-screw thing in between the two plugs... Do I need to take that off to somehow grant access to what's underneath? I was expecting to just use my trusty spark plug socket and unscrew them but now I'm confused.

Any help would be great.
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Oh. well, that sould explin it. Time to go take another look. THey sure look like the ends on my plugs.
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Oh. well, that sould explin it. Time to go take another look. THey sure look like the ends on my plugs.
Click to expand...

They look like that because they use the same connector to keep the wire on. Make sure you do not screw up the order of those wires, either. I noticed you have more than 1 pulled at the same time in that picture.
 
FoBoT

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Oh. well, that sould explin it. Time to go take another look. THey sure look like the ends on my plugs.
Click to expand...

They look like that because they use the same connector to keep the wire on. Make sure you do not screw up the order of those wires, either. I noticed you have more than 1 pulled at the same time in that picture.
Click to expand...

yeah, a friend of mine did that when we were sixteen. we took off all the wires, removed all the plugs and then randomly replaced it all. the car never ran right again :Q
 
S

SuperSix

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,872
2
0
That "goop" is dielectric grease, it keeps the coil towers from corroding. Good idea the freshen that grease up when you change the plugs. It's available @ most parts stores. And yes, do one plug at a time.
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
THe cables are nicely labelled (Thanks GM) so I took the two off because I knew where they went. I know to do the plugs one at a time. And yes upon taking a second look, I found the front 3 plugs nicely in front of the engine. Of course the other 3 are no where to be foundso I just picked up some Jack Stands and will be taking a look-see from the bottom. Hopefully I don't have to dismantle lots of stuff to get at them. That would suck.
 
P

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Oh. well, that sould explin it. Time to go take another look. THey sure look like the ends on my plugs.
Click to expand...

They look like that because they use the same connector to keep the wire on. Make sure you do not screw up the order of those wires, either. I noticed you have more than 1 pulled at the same time in that picture.
Click to expand...

it's a waste spark system. one of the terminals connects to a compressed cylinder, the other to an exhausted cylinder, so it makes no difference; they fire at the same time.
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
As for placing Jack Stands. Is it best to place them right next to where the jack I use to lift the car goes? I obviosuly want them up as high as possible so I can hopefully get under there. Should I raise one up to the minumim for the jack stand, then raise the other side up to the max height and then come back and finish the first one or should it not really matter?
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Well, that was s short lived project. THe front 3 plugs are easy enough to get at. However the back 3 I'd have to try to do blind or take off all kinds of things. So, I guess it's time to call the local car shop. I can pick up a haynes manual at the library tomorrow but I don't see any way that I'll be able to get in behind the engine. From the top it's down and under and you can't see anything. From the bottom it's up and over and you still can't see anything.

Blah.
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Well, that was s short lived project. THe front 3 plugs are easy enough to get at. However the back 3 I'd have to try to do blind or take off all kinds of things. So, I guess it's time to call the local car shop. I can pick up a haynes manual at the library tomorrow but I don't see any way that I'll be able to get in behind the engine. From the top it's down and under and you can't see anything. From the bottom it's up and over and you still can't see anything.

Blah.
Click to expand...

yea v6 is a pain. 4 piston is easy..the sparks are all on the front.
 
T

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
22,114
1
0
You should not change your spark plugs if you thought that's what they were, no offense. That family of GM v6's is tricky to change the plugs on in the back. Just one bad move and it's cross-threaded. It's not like a 4 cylinder where you can actually see what you are doing.
 
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