Help with accessing spark plugs on 1.4 engine

[key1cc]

I have searched the forum and could not find any photo's to help with accessing the sonic 1.4 hatch spark plugs. So if someone helps me I will be happy to post photo's for future rookies like myself. I have read a lot about the need to check your plugs gap, so I went out to auto zone and picked up a feeler gauge for about 4 bucks. Below are pics of my engine. one has the ecotec cover and the other has it removed. That is as far as I have gotten.

To access the plugs what would be the next step?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Key1

 

[Preloader]

Remove the 2 allen bolts in picture two.... lift the coil pack up and off.
I don't remember the size of the deep socket you'll need, I think it's a 17mm.

 

[Eric Smit]

It's a spark plug socket. You can get it at autozone/O'reilly's.


-Eric Smit

 

[key1cc]

Thanks Preloader.....

Allen bolts removed. 1st pic shows location.

Coil pack removed. Required a little effort tugging and wiggling until it pops free.

Spark plug access is now apparent in pic 3

key1

 

[key1cc]

It's a spark plug socket. You can get it at autozone/O'reilly's.


-Eric Smit

Thanks Eric


I do not have the Service Manual yet.

Is it confirmed 17mm is the correct size....or are you saying one size spark plug socket fits all.....untrained minds (like mine) need to know.


Key1

 

[Eric Smit]

Spark plug socket is one size, it just had some foam or something in there to hold/not damage the plug. Let me find mine real quick.


-Eric Smit

 

[key1cc]

Spark plug socket is one size, it just had some foam or something in there to hold/not damage the plug. Let me find mine real quick.


-Eric Smit

Great!

 

[Eric Smit]

-Eric Smit

 

[key1cc]

Perfect.
I am running out to Auto Zone (in the wife's car) back in a few to continue with the process.

Key1

 

[Preloader]

Ahhh, it is a 5/8". The rubber insert helps remove the spark plug but any 5/8" deep socket will work to loosen the plug and then it can be extracted with a magnet probe, or the proverbial blue tape over the socket trick.

 

[Swordsmith]

I did this a week or so ago,needed to get not just the socket, but a long handled half inch socket wrench, I had to put alot of torque on to get the plug free.

I can't say whether I was glad or sad to find they were all fine, but glad to have checked.

 

[Eric Smit]

Ahhh, it is a 5/8". The rubber insert helps remove the spark plug but any 5/8" deep socket will work to loosen the plug and then it can be extracted with a magnet probe, or the proverbial blue tape over the socket trick.

True. It's not actually necessary to have a spark plug socket, but I found that for only $3, might as well.

OP, I know it seems obvious, but make sure you have a socket extension as well.

And as Swordsmith said, you might need a cheater pipe or long handled socket wrench.


-Eric Smit

 

[key1cc]

Thanks for all the valuble info.
Sorry for the delay ...wife...kids...you know how it is...

Anyway Autozone is about 10 minutes away and all I bought was a 5/8" spark plug socket (which I already had at home and did'nt realize it. )

Picture 1 shows the tools I'm using for the job. I already had the feeler gauge just hadn't opened it until now.

Picture 2 shows that I had to use a longer extender (fortunately I had that to).

Picture 3 shows the wrench in place to remove a spark plug. By the way I could not believe how easy they came out with almost no effort as if they were just hand tightened. Not sure if this is normal because I beleive I read someone else had to really put some muscle behind it to remove the plugs.

key1

 

[key1cc]

Here are the results and pics of the plugs. Basically they were all gapped between .024 and .025. So far I have not made any changes. I read somewhere that there is a recomended range from 0.025-0.028 I think, please chime in if you know better.

Also take a look at the plugs and tell me if they are suppose to look kinda burnt near the top like that. My car only has about 950 miles on it.

I have an automatic tranny with the 1.4 turbo budget tuned through BNR.


Key1cc

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

Plugs look fine to me, IIRC .028 is the sweet spot.

 

[key1cc]

Plugs look fine to me, IIRC .028 is the sweet spot.

Even budget tuned?

I thought I read it should be a little lower if tuned?

Key1

 

[key1cc]

Ahhh, it is a 5/8". The rubber insert helps remove the spark plug but any 5/8" deep socket will work to loosen the plug and then it can be extracted with a magnet probe, or the proverbial blue tape over the socket trick.

Did not need the magnet or tape. Mine came right out with the rubber insert holding on to it. However it was a bear pulling the socket off the plug once they were reinserted. I ended up using thin needle nose pliers to grip the socket and yank it out...

Key1

 

[Preloader]

A Warning About Torqueing Spark Plugs:

I wouldn't use a cheater, also progressive torque pressure runs a risk of stripping the threads on your aluminum head or shearing off the head of your spark plugs.

I prefer the impact approach. Apply medium pressure to the ratchet and give it a sharp smack with your palm until it frees up the thread. Also this is a safer way to tighten them in. You can gauge the torque by monitoring how much it moves with each palm strike. When it stops turning, give it one last strike and call it good. I also apply this technique to oil drain plug removal and torqueing.

 

[Eric Smit]

Oh, I would never use a cheater pipe to tighten them down, just to break them free if they are stuck down there.


-Eric Smit

 

[Preloader]

You shouldn't even need a cheater to loosen them..... Do it when the engine is cold FTW.

But a pic of girly hands holding a 1/2" breaker bar on a 5/8" spark plug would make my day. (insert random emoticon here to make seem less offensive)