Change spark plug

Almost any transverse-mount "V" engine is going to be a PITA to change plugs. Sometimes you can reach a plug easier from under the car. I've got a Subaru now with a distributorless ignition for a horizontally opposed engine. That's going to require the removal of several parts, including the washer fluid resevoir to get access to the coil packs and plugs.

I liked my two Acura Integras. The biggest pain was removing the cover over the wires.

If you remove the tire first and put it on a jack stand it makes it even easier. But yes, going through the fender well is the best way.

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Shep wrote:

As well as going through the wheel well; Break the porcelain end off; this will allow a socket in. Be creative; use a wrench on the end of the spark plug socket to break it loose. Other tricks too, but getting it out is always the hardest

An S-10 Blazer does not have a transverse mounted engine. You go in through the wheel well to get that plug out. Or, a longer than stock spark plug socket with an open end wrench usually works too.

Wasn't sure. Is it an inline-6? I seem to recall some GM trucks still use an inline-6.

The 3800 Series II in my dad's Buick looks to be a real pain.

While this would be nice to have it is simply not needed for for a DIY application. For a Dealership Tech. who has money to burn, maybe. Plenty get by without this everyday...

That's funny that I'm wrong, given I had a blazer (which all of my fan club here on usenet always seem to throw in my face) and I've changed the spark plug in question through the fender well many times. But I guess I'm wrong, since 5 other people in this thread said to do the same thing as I did. I was only here to "spam my link"

Get a life pal

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Exactly...even before I swapped the headers on the blazer for the turbo setup, I was still able to change that plug without any fancy tools. Don't get me wrong, it was a pain in the ass, but it is possible.

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I don't know what year your Blazer was but that's makes a big difference. Believe me, I do this for living and I work for myself, so if there is a faster easier way to do something, I'll try it. I do remove the back plug through the wheel well but the center one can't be accessed because of the steering shaft.

Larry Webb

Then the original poster doesn't have a problem, right?

And what makes you think that a dealership tech has money to burn?

If 29 dollars is a lot of money, for you it always will be.

Sample size of one.

How many is many? I'll bet I've done that operation over 500 times, add Larry's experience and you're talking thousands of times. For all we know, the motor mounts were so sagged out on your Blazer that it -was- possible to do it thru the wheel well, but that doesn't mean it's possible or even plausible for the majority of vehicle needing service out there.

You need to pay closer attention to what is posted to usenet junior, not a day goes by where someone doesn't f*ck up a DIY job and then post here or to other groups looking for the solution. I could care less if you spam your link, matter of fact, it just shows that by your presence here, there is nothing there.

I have a life and I'm not your pal.

No shit genius, what do you suppose has been happening for the last 16 years?

And the point that both of you are missing is that the original poster is looking for a less "pain in the ass" solution.

I showed him the solution, YOU didn't/wouldn't have a clue where to look (which is right in line with most of your other posts).

My blazer was a 2002 as well, and yes your way was easier if he wanted to buy a tool. :)

Good thread, glad he got advice instead of completely targeting me.

Opinion, opinion ,opinion. This tool became available fall 2005. How were these plugs changed before then?? If a company needs to invent a tool before you can complete a task you are the one with the problem. The OP does have a problem. He's come into a situation he is not sure about. I made suggestions on how he could do it without finding a Snap-On dealer. Read the thread. I did not say that all Dealership Techs have money to burn. It is not worth it to me to spend $30.00 to change one plug on one engine type. Especially since I have been getting by fine without it all these years. If you need these type things, buy it. But, do not limit other peoples ability to do things by your own...

You really DO overuse that word.

With a 5/8" spark plug socket that had a hex on the drive end, but it had to be of exact length. Too long and you couldn't fish it in/out of there, too short and the hex would be buried not allowing one to get a wrench on it.

First of all, I have never been unable to complete this task, but having it will sure reduce the time needed and lessen the risk of cracking a spark plug. Second, tools are invented every day to allow one to complete a task.

He doesn't need to -find- a Snap-On dealer, he can order the tool online. And since I was able to find and post a link to a picture of the tool and how it's used, he's free to fabricate his own should he so choose.

I will. I know that the tool will make me money, increase productivity and reduce the chance for a comeback. As far as you "getting by fine all these years," bit of a misnomer don't you think considering that you had to ask how it was done before the tool was released for sale in fall 2005.

Funny Ed. Go back, check who it was that was asking for help/advice.

And you do think that your opinion is the only way.

Exactly what I explained in my first reply.

It might reduce the time for the inexperienced but, anyone can break a plug. Tools are invented all the time. Does that mean we have to rush out and buy them?

Or to use another way.

I knew how it was done. Read my first reply. How will this tool reduce the chance of a "comeback"? Magic tool???

Funny is that this is the best you can come up with. Since you won't read my first reply to this topic I'll repost it below.

After you read it you need to think: This person wants to get a set of plugs in his vehicle. Does he want to sit down and order a tool off the Internet, wait for it to arrive and then finally get his plugs in or, does this person just want some advice to help him through this problem?

From news.Virginia.EDU!not-for-mail Fri Jan 13 01:21:22 2006 Path: news.Virginia.EDU!not-for-mail From: Edward Strauss Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech Subject: Re: Change spark plug Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 05:57:17 +0000 (UTC) Organization: University of Virginia Lines: 23 Sender: Edward Strauss Message-ID: References:

NNTP-Posting-Host: holmes.acc.virginia.edu X-Trace: murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU 1136872637 11714 128.143.12.45 (10 Jan 2006

An S-10 Blazer does not have a transverse mounted engine. You go in through the wheel well to get that plug out. Or, a longer than stock spark plug socket with an open end wrench usually works too.

Edward,

You answered your "Comeback" question yourself - "anyone can break plug".

A DIY'er (and experienced tech) could crack the porcelain, especially on a plug with difficult access (have you priced AC Platinum plugs lately). This can cause an intermittent misfire that's not easy to find.

Bottom line for me with this whole Change spark plug post is, if you're comfortable with your current method of plug removal - fine but a DIY'er could easily pay for a $29 tool by doing one plug change.

Larry