V6 Spark Plug Change

[Joedashredder93]

I have checked around for a long time now and I'm having trouble figuring out how to change my spark plugs on my 3.8 so I decided to post a thread maybe you can help me.

Recently the car has been throwing codes for a bad O2 and a misfire in cylinder 3. So I think it's time for the plugs and O2

Thank you

[phoenix_rising]

Most of them you should be able to get from under the car. They are a pain in the a$$ unless you have headers. All those heat shields get in the way but if you have one of these it makes it way easier...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=66313

Harbor Freight has a nicer metal one for like $7. Great for those pesky O2 sensors too!

BTW, how many miles do you have on those 02 sensors? You may have to replace one of those too while you are at it.

[Joedashredder93]

no headers , any certain methods?

[phoenix_rising]

http://www.ehow.com/how_5272057_remo...maro-ll-l.html#

I found that while lying under the car, it was easier to reach the back plugs by reaching in from behind the front suspension while keeping my legs facing the rear end of the car. It is definitely a weird angle, especially if you do not have headers.

The front 3-4 plugs come out through the top. You can unbolt the oil dipstick if it helps, I know it did me. Plan on bustin some knuckles on this job and start saving up for headers just for the shear fact of how much working space it opens up...

[97rs4life]

each person will have their own goofy way to tackle it. You just have to dive in and start. First thing though is get those heat shields out of there and out of the way. Then you just have to work with what you have and extensions and pick your way through it. Hope you like bloody knuckles though, these 3.8 cars suck for doing plugs

[Lucky SOB]

each person will have their own goofy way to tackle it. You just have to dive in and start. First thing though is get those heat shields out of there and out of the way. Then you just have to work with what you have and extensions and pick your way through it. Hope you like bloody knuckles though, these 3.8 cars suck for doing plugs

there's no way it can suck more than an LT1... I wanted to cry

[meissen]

I'm dropping the engine out of my car to change the spark plugs. No seriously, though, like Travis said - just jump in and do it. You'll figure it out as you go.

[steddy]

there's no way it can suck more than an LT1... I wanted to cry

This is for certain. After doing an LT, 3.8s are a breeze. The best way is to feel around things. I've even done mine from up top (fender covers FTW!). I did, however, change the wires from the bottom, due to the clips holding them in.

[98blackbeauty]

several extentions of different lengths and a couple of universal joints help. Good luck! and I would do plugs and wires before O2 sensor. The plugs could take care of all your simptoms. When you blow multiple code pick on path and do 1 thing at a time.

[Joedashredder93]

Thanks everyone. I have had the car since november and it has over 163k miles on it so I went ahead and bought the O2 sensor but I think now would be the time to change the spark plugs because they do look old. I should be done with my rear end this weekend so probably next weekend I'll tackle this project.

Thanks again, wish me luck

[ktl711]

Good luck, Joe! I'll be waiting to see your report afterwards! Let me know also what headers you're looking at, as I might be considering a swap-out, too.

[MP81]

there's no way it can suck more than an LT1... I wanted to cry

I pulled the ones on JC's car out, and it was a pain, but I got 6/8 out from the top...the back two just needed to be popped from the bottom...