Spark Plug: Service and Repair

Spark Plug Replacement

Removal Procedure




1. Remove the ignition coil(s). Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 1 (Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 1) and/or Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 2 (Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 2).
Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Warning (Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Warning).


Caution: Clean the spark plug recess area before removing the spark plug. Failure to do so could result in engine damage because of dirt or foreign material entering the cylinder head, or by the contamination of the cylinder head threads. The contaminated threads may prevent the proper seating of the new plug. Use a thread chaser to clean the threads of any contamination.

2. Use compressed air in order to remove debris from the spark plug cavity.

Caution: Allow the engine to cool before removing the spark plugs. Attempting to remove the spark plugs from a hot engine may cause the plug threads to seize, causing damage to cylinder head threads.

3. Remove the spark plug.

Installation Procedure





Caution: Use only the spark plugs specified for use in the vehicle. Do not install spark plugs that are either hotter or colder than those specified for the vehicle. Installing spark plugs of another type can severely damage the engine.

Caution: Check the gap of all new and reconditioned spark plugs before installation. The pre-set gaps may have changed during handling. Use a round feeler gauge to ensure an accurate check. Installing the spark plugs with the wrong gap can cause poor engine performance and may even damage the engine.

1. Ensure that the spark plug gap is equivalent to the spark plug gap specification. Refer to Ignition System Specifications (Application and ID).

Caution: Be sure that the spark plug threads smoothly into the cylinder head and the spark plug is fully seated. Use a thread chaser, if necessary, to clean threads in the cylinder head. Cross-threading or failing to fully seat the spark plug can cause overheating of the plug, exhaust blow-by, or thread damage.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

2. Install the spark plug.

Tighten the spark plug to 20 Nm (15 lb ft).

3. Install the ignition coil(s). Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 1 (Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 1) and/or Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 2 (Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 2).