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Spark plug removal advise - 2004 /1500

9fingers

Full Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2004
Messages
104
I have ordered all of my parts for this (what should be) minor  maintenance job. And, gave read a lot of threads.. but being this us the first change of wires and plugs since 2004.  I am wondering if there is some sage advice.. (like warm up the engine first) to help in breaking these plugs loose. I would hate to have one break off. I'm hoping they just pop loose , but with my luck thier seized allready.  So any advise would be appreciated.  Oh.  Only 110k on it so far.
And are wire boot pliers really required.. it would seem a good set of channel locks would be good enough.
 
I recently changed the spark plugs and wires on the 2003 Z-66 I recently bought.

The previous owner had some off brand plugs and wires installed somewhere in the past.

I had a struggled getting those cheap wires off and after the third one came apart, I ran to the parts store and picked up a box of new ACDelco wires.

After that, I took whatever measures available to get those old wires off.

Many did not survive the effort.

The spark plugs resisted removal, as well.

One thing I can say is get as good a straight line shot at the spark plug as you can and use as few extensions and swivels as you can manage.

Then, provide slow even pressure until you feel the threads break loose.

No need to heat the engine and do not give them any ugga-duggas.

Slow and steady will win the race.

The #8 spark plug (passenger side rear) is usually the one people complain most about.

I found I could slip the spark plug socket over the installed plug and then use a short socket that fit on the end of the spark plug socket and use a simple ratchet with the socket.

This works to remove and install.

I just stand along the right front wheel and reach in.

No need to take wheels off to go through the inner wheel liner.

When you are installing your new ACDelco spark plugs (notice I keep saying ACDelco), apply a tiny dab of anti-seize to the plug threads.

Don't gob it on.

A little dab will do ya.

Also, apply a dab of dielectric silicone grease to each end of the new spark plug wires.

These measures will make this job go a lot easier next time.

Best of luck with your repairs.

(y)
 
Good advise ! I too have bought ACDelco wires and plugs.. heck the first ones lasted over 100k ..
I have the dielectric,  I'll have to find some antisieze.. not sure where to order that from.. especially that I only need a dab.
Thanks again. !
 
I replaced all of my plugs and wires about 2 years ago and honestly it wasn't a bad experience. I was worried about removing parts and not fitting in, but it really wasn't horrible. I did have to get a tad creative on plug #8 but even then I was all finished with the job in less than 2 hours, with a dinner break in between!
 
You boys are making this sound easy.. I am about to start this task.. took a couple extra days off to streatch the weekend.. so.. I'll let you know how it goes.. it should be easy..lird knows how many plugs I've changed in the past.. but that was back when you readjusted or replaced the points and rotor cap along with them... :D
 
You got this!

(y)
 
Well. 30 minutes in and it's a rain delay..
But so far.. I figured let's just start with an easy one.  Passenger front. Pulling the wire boot wasnt to bad. It did pull apart and left the end on the plug... but that popped right off.. plug came out a whole lot easier than I thought.. I need to measure the gap.. bet it is .080.  So next.. let's move to the bad one. Passenger back.. boot just wouldn't come off.  Had to pull using the heat shield..but then it came loose with no problem....maybe I'll do the rest that way.  Now for the plug.. using the short socket over the end of the spark plug socket worked great.  That one came out without to much trouble..just had to use the ratchet for all the threads.. no hand spinning it once it was loose.
My old fingers just dont have the strength they use to.  Then the rain.. so draped a couple towels and closed the lid until it stops.but a promising start. I'm pleased so far.  I'll put in another update when I geterdone.
 
So, now I'm done.  I dont know why everyone complains about the passenger side rear..I had more problems with the driver side front..to many brackets, and electric lines in the way.  I moved as many as i felt comfortable with.. but the front one was still a bi$%...  the other 3 on the driver side was not a cakewalk either.. maybe my hands are just to big.  But i sure had a time.  But it's done, and when I turn the key, she cranks just like always.  Those old bugs were worn down to .065 . I think I used that put the short socket over the end if the plug socket more times than not.
But thanks guys for the tips.
I really think the worst part is getting those boots off. I think it took me 3 hours for this little endevor.. but lord help me if I had to pay the shop to do this...attached a pic of the plugs.
 

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replace all them wires too... easy and cheap insurance

When removing the boot over plug and ruin connection inside when pulling...

Also when you install new put di-electric grease insise boots and around plug ceramic and tip... so they come off next time.
BAsically it is pure silicone
 
That is exactly what I did.. wires were replaced, and greased. Plugs, were antisieze greased. 
Once replaced. I did take it out for a short errand trip.. gloves / mask and all.. (i hate having to wear those things)  but the gas mileage went back up
. From the 14 i was getting back to the 18 i used to see. Pretty good for a big ol truck on a "go to town" run.. used to get 21-22 on a trip, dont know if I will see that.. we dont do many trips with this truck any more.  It's become more of a work truck. I do wish they still made these trucks ! And I dont like the new models of the chevy trucks. They just dont ride and feel the same.
If I am going to spend that much money..it better make me go..ahhhhhh,  when I get in.
 
9fingers said:
.... I think I used that put the short socket over the end if the plug socket more times than not.
But thanks guys for the tips. ....

I am glad that tip worked for you.

I struggled getting that one spark plug out on several vehicles over the years.

I found that using just the ratchet by itself would not reach and wasn't going to work and a short extension was too long to fit.

I tried using a wrench over the spark plug socket and the angles did not work for me.

When I slipped a short socket onto the end of the spark plug socket everything just fell into place.

I've been using this method ever since.

(y)
 
I thought the Avy was about the easiest vehicle I ever changed plugs on. To remove boots always try to grab the connector at the plug top and twist it to break it loose. Then should pull right off. If you don't twist to break the bond it can be very difficult to remove the boots without them coming apart because the rubber/silicon bonds to the plug and won't release pulling straight off because you are trying to release the clip and the bond. If you twist first, the bond is broken and then you are just fighting the clip.

 
Well I did that..it didnt work at all. Rotated it 360.. and nothing.
But in the end got them off.. more by pulling in combination of the boot and geat shield.. not so good for the geat shield.. but a little reforming and all was ok.
 
Hi, im here to revive a thread...

Iridium plugs are the recommended replacement for the 1st gen Avy aren't they?

i dont see ACDelco iridium plugs on rock auto, or O'reillys that say they fit my 03. The pictures earlier in this thread of the plugs, some say ACDelco, some say NGK. (the angle of some of them makes me think that they are marked NGK and ACDelco though.)

And for ACDelco plug wires RockAuto shows 3 sets, but each specifies what the coil should be stamped with for those to be the right plug wires. looking at my coils, i dont see any numbers, but there are the square ones, not round.

to the best of my knowledge the plugs got changes in 2015 by previous owner (no idea what plugs they are) and still the original wires from the best i can tell
 
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