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It was time for a plug change as I was getting a random misfire error code. Its not that bad of a process just longer than most other vehicles because you have to take the intake manifold off and everything else that attaches to it. This is the second time I have done mine and it took me 6hrs the first time and 4 hours this time. So its not that hard of a job that can be accomplished on weekend with a few simple tools to save yourself a bunch of money in labor that some mechanic would charge.
Total time :4-6 hrs
Tools you will need.
8mm socket
10mm socket
12mm socket
Ratchet
Extensions
Pliers
Heres a pic of the engine bay
First off you will need to remove all the intake and airbox assembly so that you have more room to work. Its a pretty straightforwards dissassembly
Once you have the Airbox and stuff out you need to start taking stuff off the manifold itself. I started on the side that the Throttle body is on and worked my way around.
Most all are 10mm bolts that attach stuff to the manifold. There is a coolant line that goes to the throttle body on the back side closest to the firewall. You will know it when you remove it. Just stick it up high against the firewall and it will stop leaking.
To keep stuff organized I would remove the bolt and then put the bolt back in its spot when the item is taken off. That way I dont have a pile of bolts laying around wondering which spot they go in.
Most all those connections are plugs that need to be disconnected. However there was one that I had a hard time figuring out how to unplug. So to save busting it and a lot of frustration I just got a 8mm socket and took the two bolts out and removed the sensor entirely. Here is a pic of the sensor I am talking about for reference.
On the front it is not necessary but will free up more space and allow for a little less clutter if you disconnect one of the fuel lines and tuck it up out of the way. It is not a high pressure line so dont worry about it blowing fuel everywhere. I threaded a bolt into the tube to plug it up to stop leakage.
There are 2 bolts underneath the throttle body that support the manifold on that side. They are 12mm. Also remove the 2 - 12mm bolts that hold the Exhaust return line that is there as well and bolts to the bottom the throttle body.
Once you have everything off the manifold it is time to take the 6 main bolts out. They are 12 mm and you will need an extension on the ratchet as well. When I removed them I laid them out in order beside each other so that I wouldnt get them messed up, as they are of various lengths and it just makes reassembly easier. Also there is a lock washer on each one,...dont worry about it falling off because it wont. The threads at the bottom of the bolt will stop it.
You will see little indents in the manifold looking down from the top where each bolt will be between the intake runners.
There are 7 total I think starting with one at the very front and then one all the way in the very back. This one in the back can be a bit stubborn so if you can get the right ratchet/extension combo it makes it much easier. My ratchet swiveled allowing me to do it easily. Here is a picture of the bolt on the back that I am talking about.
Once everything is removed you will be able to take the Intake Plenum off. This is where you will see if you have removed everything from it or not.
Set it aside gently as to not damage the lower mounting portion.
I stuffed some shop towels down the intake runners to stop any foreign debris from getting in there possibly. Now that everything is off you can see the access to the spark plugs is much much easier.
Here is the Ignition coils on the opposite side. The spark plugs are underneath them.There are three total
Two bolts to remove them and they come up just like the spark plug boots did on the other side. Make sure when checking them to do each plug individually and not take all the wires and plugs out at once becuase you will be very confused if you do that wondering What goes Where. If you do each wire and plug together and then replace with new ones and reassemble that one before you move on to to the next you will save yourself a lot of stress.
While I had the time I took each Plug wire and tested the resistance on them to make sure they were still good. Then I tested the Ignition coils resistance as well. Here are the specs on them.
The gap needs to be set as well on your new plugs before installation and then just reassemble everything in reverse order. The intake plenum can be a little finiky to get lined up with the gasket and the bolts. I started at the front and worked my way back with the bolts. Also here is the breakway pic with all the correct torques on the bolts for reassembly.
Hope this helps someone save a little money and please post up any errors that you may find so that it may be corrected.
Regards,
Phil
Total time :4-6 hrs
Tools you will need.
8mm socket
10mm socket
12mm socket
Ratchet
Extensions
Pliers
Heres a pic of the engine bay
First off you will need to remove all the intake and airbox assembly so that you have more room to work. Its a pretty straightforwards dissassembly
Once you have the Airbox and stuff out you need to start taking stuff off the manifold itself. I started on the side that the Throttle body is on and worked my way around.
Most all are 10mm bolts that attach stuff to the manifold. There is a coolant line that goes to the throttle body on the back side closest to the firewall. You will know it when you remove it. Just stick it up high against the firewall and it will stop leaking.
To keep stuff organized I would remove the bolt and then put the bolt back in its spot when the item is taken off. That way I dont have a pile of bolts laying around wondering which spot they go in.
Most all those connections are plugs that need to be disconnected. However there was one that I had a hard time figuring out how to unplug. So to save busting it and a lot of frustration I just got a 8mm socket and took the two bolts out and removed the sensor entirely. Here is a pic of the sensor I am talking about for reference.
On the front it is not necessary but will free up more space and allow for a little less clutter if you disconnect one of the fuel lines and tuck it up out of the way. It is not a high pressure line so dont worry about it blowing fuel everywhere. I threaded a bolt into the tube to plug it up to stop leakage.
There are 2 bolts underneath the throttle body that support the manifold on that side. They are 12mm. Also remove the 2 - 12mm bolts that hold the Exhaust return line that is there as well and bolts to the bottom the throttle body.
Once you have everything off the manifold it is time to take the 6 main bolts out. They are 12 mm and you will need an extension on the ratchet as well. When I removed them I laid them out in order beside each other so that I wouldnt get them messed up, as they are of various lengths and it just makes reassembly easier. Also there is a lock washer on each one,...dont worry about it falling off because it wont. The threads at the bottom of the bolt will stop it.
You will see little indents in the manifold looking down from the top where each bolt will be between the intake runners.
There are 7 total I think starting with one at the very front and then one all the way in the very back. This one in the back can be a bit stubborn so if you can get the right ratchet/extension combo it makes it much easier. My ratchet swiveled allowing me to do it easily. Here is a picture of the bolt on the back that I am talking about.
Once everything is removed you will be able to take the Intake Plenum off. This is where you will see if you have removed everything from it or not.
Set it aside gently as to not damage the lower mounting portion.
I stuffed some shop towels down the intake runners to stop any foreign debris from getting in there possibly. Now that everything is off you can see the access to the spark plugs is much much easier.
Here is the Ignition coils on the opposite side. The spark plugs are underneath them.There are three total
Two bolts to remove them and they come up just like the spark plug boots did on the other side. Make sure when checking them to do each plug individually and not take all the wires and plugs out at once becuase you will be very confused if you do that wondering What goes Where. If you do each wire and plug together and then replace with new ones and reassemble that one before you move on to to the next you will save yourself a lot of stress.
While I had the time I took each Plug wire and tested the resistance on them to make sure they were still good. Then I tested the Ignition coils resistance as well. Here are the specs on them.
The gap needs to be set as well on your new plugs before installation and then just reassemble everything in reverse order. The intake plenum can be a little finiky to get lined up with the gasket and the bolts. I started at the front and worked my way back with the bolts. Also here is the breakway pic with all the correct torques on the bolts for reassembly.
Hope this helps someone save a little money and please post up any errors that you may find so that it may be corrected.
Regards,
Phil
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