anagramjones

so this was my first time doing this. i read about some people with a tick/tapping coming form their engine, and it turns out their spark plugs were loose.

anyway, finally got around to inspecting it, and hopefully getting some experience for the inevitable replacement (i'm at 130,000km), perhaps sooner than later.

i only had time to check number 5. i've read this is particularly prone to becoming loose. in fact, because the plugs are stock, it was kind of seized, but i got it out anyway.

anyway, so i have a couple of questions:

1. i remember some people suggested using a rubber hose to pull the spark plug out after removing the ignition coil....what's the size/interior diameter of the tube to use? the only thing i had on hand this time was chopsticks....yes, i literally used chopsticks, but it was a pain, so don't want to use them for the other cylinders.

2. attached is a picture of the spark plug. what do you guys think. how do they look?

thanks

pohljm

Chopsticks! Haha no wonder you only had time for one! You should have snugged them all anyway. I wanna say 3/8 hose. A spark plug socket will grab them and you can use 2 3" extensions for the rears.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Use the rubber hose to do the install, spark plug socket to remove.

bauermd

iTrader: (1)

+1

I have always used a 6'' extension with a spark plug socket at the end. Always seems to grab them completely fine for me. Make sure you put a little bit of anti-seize on them before re-installing. Hope this helps!

anagramjones

I used a 3/8 inch drive with 6inch extension and deep 16mm (5/8?) socket to loosen the plug. Also a spark plug knuckle but nothing grabs onto the plug when I pulled the socket out... Hence the chopsticks... Am I missing something? So the socket just sat inside after I unscrewed it..

I guess I'll have to get a 3/8 hose

Can't I just use one 6in extension for the rears? I only have one 3inch extension.

How does that plug look? Time for change? I think it's original, 130,000km...about 90k miles?

bauermd

iTrader: (1)

I do not remember the recommended interval for changing the sparkplugs. I know they can last up to like 110k miles or something along that line. Please do not quote me on this.

They are not expensive anyway so I have always replaced them around every 25-35k miles. I did not know Acura had NGK's stock either so that is good to know. Always learning. That plug looks fine from the looks of it. Threads are really rusted but the end looks like it should after 90k miles.

If I remember right all I needed was a 6'' extension. I think the 9'' wont fit (thats what she said?).

I would just change with the NGK IR plugs and call it a day. Please make sure you dab the threads with a little bit of anti-seize as I mentioned before.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Need a true spark plug socket to make removal easy, either a socket with insert to hold the plug or a magnetic socket. Although I've never used one, they also make a torque limiting socket 20Nm @ 15ft.lbs so that you can't over torgue during installation.

bp_spets

I use a magnet on a stick to pull my spark plugs out.

anagramjones

thanks for the tips. i'll have to get a spark plug socket or a magnet...lol, maybe i can cut up some fridge magnets...

if i only have time to do a few plugs, can i finish the others at a later time? or should i really do all 6 at once? i might not be able to get to it all at the same time.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

you'll be fine.
just remember which ones you've done

anagramjones

ok thanks,

another question:

if the VTEC is not engaged very often, does this mean that there are 2 spark plugs that should be less worn than the other 4?

or does the engine cycle between cylinders when its only running 4 cylinders...

i checked cylinder 5, which seems like it looks ok...but the previous owner (i'm second), put 118,000kms on it, and from what i know she was probably a pretty conservative driver.

so anyone know which cylinders run when the engine runs 4 cylinders?

bauermd

iTrader: (1)

I am not sure that they drop to 4 cylinders at all.. But I am still learning. As far as I know vtec just makes the duration of lift higher when it kicks in. Makes it breath a whole lot better and gives you a little bit more power.

bp_spets

As far as I know, these cars always run on 6 cylinders.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

if your car dropped to 4 cylinders, something is wrong!

i remember when my friend over-rev'd his engine and bent some heads. it was only running on 4 cylinders and sounded like a boxer engine!
our cars running on 4 cylinders still beat 4cylinder accords lol

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

^ Correction he bent his valves and was running on 3 cylinders

anagramjones

lol, ok. i thought i read somewhere that to meet emissions standards the j engine runs 4 cylinders until vtec kicks in an activates the other 2 cylinders

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

i just re-read my sentence.
I was all sorts of fucked up wrong hahahahahah.

so, even at 3 cylinders the TL whooped a 4cylinder accord!!