How To: Change #3 spark plug

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by evny1984

i don't diagree that but i just like it my way it's cool wasn't trying to start a fight

Oh, I know, I wasn't trying to fight either, sorry if I came off that way (shivs you in the kindey)

Just saying for the majority of people (not everyone) the intermediate shaft is the easiest. Though I guess for a lot of people that seems scary (even though it's keyed and very hard to put back on wrong...)

In the end, people will do it their own way

[Zapnoma]

I had to drop the steering shaft on my '00 4.3l 2wd...theres no way in hell I could have done it otherwise.

[j894]

same here. still some insist on doing it that hard way though.

[AK49BWL]

this thread was a life saver.. I'm rather a newbie when it comes to under-the-hood work, and I was about ready to say screw it and run past 100k miles with what I had.... then I found this. Had it all apart and back together within an hour I still took the wheels off, made it a little easier for access, which is what took the longest.. Impact wrench made it nice tho. new NGK plugs (and distro rotor and cap) and my truck runs a lot better now! thanks rlith!

[Zapnoma]

I just wanted to add, you removed the steering shaft for the front most plug on teh driver side?

Thats teh easiest one to get to on that side......its the middle plug thats blocked by my steering shaft.

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zapnoma

I just wanted to add, you removed the steering shaft for the front most plug on teh driver side?

Thats teh easiest one to get to on that side......its the middle plug thats blocked by my steering shaft.

Everyone is talking about the number 5 plug (middle drivers side) not the #1 plug

[Low99Sonoma]

Well, i bought my spark plugs and wires like a month ago and just been procrastinating and went out and throughly looked under the hood to see how to do it. And i was like hmm, there has to be a better way, so off i went to look on the forum, and of course as always, someone on here came to the rescue with tips and tricks. Im gonna do this in a bit, we shall see how long it takes front start to finish seeing as how ive never done em on my 4.3, 99 Noma. We shall see...

[Zapnoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by rlith

Everyone is talking about the number 5 plug (middle drivers side) not the #1 plug

Aight, just making sure.

And goddamnit, my steering wheel is off just slightly again.

[Zapnoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by Low99Sonoma

Well, i bought my spark plugs and wires like a month ago and just been procrastinating and went out and throughly looked under the hood to see how to do it. And i was like hmm, there has to be a better way, so off i went to look on the forum, and of course as always, someone on here came to the rescue with tips and tricks. Im gonna do this in a bit, we shall see how long it takes front start to finish seeing as how ive never done em on my 4.3, 99 Noma. We shall see...

Pass side with the wheel off takes less than 10mins including time to jack up/take wheel off/change/put wheel on/jack down.

[Low99Sonoma]

Well, all in all it took me about 2hrs to do all the plugs, wires,and fuel filter. That time includes cigarette breaks, a few random phone calls, removing the steering, takin off the tires, and removing the airbox (cause i dropped the fuse for the fuel pump under it lmao)

I must say, my fuel pump was a WHORE!!!! The fittings had seized and i threw everything i had at it to get it off. Ended up soaking the fittings in WD40 (couldnt fidn the PB Blaster) and using vicegrips on the fitting side and a huge crescent wrench on the filter side. That thing was rusted on there. I swear the filter was one of the most time consuming, PITA general maitenance things ive ever done. But the truck runs alot better now, and i had never replaced the fuel filter, and thats probably why it was so hard to get off.

All in all, removing the steering shaft took like 2 minutes if that, and it was a great piece of advice, wouldnt have been able to do the #5 plug without it, thanks guys! And takin the tires on was no biggie but made things a hell of alot easier. SO for you people who want to argue bout takin the shaft off and/or the tires off, my advice is just do it, cause on the 4.3's it makes life alot easier.

snap on has a new socket made just for that- stock#: S9723, $30.75. it works for more stuff too, i have one in my box at the BMW dealer.

[02_Black_XBlazer]

Quote: Originally Posted by rlith

Everyone is talking about the number 5 plug (middle drivers side) not the #1 plug

Wouldn't that be the #3 plug, the one the thread started over?

[Bail]

I've found this thread helpful.

I hesitated doing the right bank of the engine cause it looked liked a PITA.
After removing the air box and the steering shaft I found the right bank easier than the left bank.

I had a PITA Getting the Shaft back on. A lot of wiggling and the help of a hammer.

The only thing I did different from these instructions was disconnecting my battery and wrapped the seatbelt around the steering wheel and locked the seatbelt in. IIRC if the steering shaft loses ground contact with the steering box it could deploy the airbags. I'm not sure how true this is but I did it just as a precaution.

[Biggs]

The easiest way I have found is to take off the front wheels. There are flaps you can flip up and have a great access to all 6 plugs. #3 Is hard to get due to the driveshaft being there giving you an inch to work with! I grinded a wrench so it was small enough to fit, had my buddy holding it on the socket from underneath, as I went on top to loosen. Do the same thing to get it back on.

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by Carraig042

I think the easiest way is to take off the front tire and move the piece of plastic that it in the way. You will have great access to the middle and back one. This way you also get to check on your breaks, which is great.

-Brett

As had been discussed several times in this thread, that isn't the problem, the problem on most of the trucks (not all) is getting the socket on to the middle spark plug with intermediate shaft in the way. Also the above 1 minute removal makes it unnecessary to going through all the hell of jacking up the truck and then removing the wheel.

[JMew03]

get a body lift.. then you dont have to worry about disconnecting a steering shaft or taking the wheel off

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by JMew03

get a body lift.. then you dont have to worry about disconnecting a steering shaft or taking the wheel off

I have a 3" body lift and I still have the issue. So now again, why don't I want to spend less than a minute removing the arm, and less than a minute putting it back on?

[buygm]

Thanks, RILTH for the photos and advice.
I couldn't even get a socket onto the plug without moving the steering shaft.
This worked OK.

2001 4x4 4dr blazer 4.3l

[jimmykicker]

The first time I did this was on my friend's 95. I couldn't get the damn socket back off of the plug once I got it installed. Had to go buy a pair of Vise grips to do it (I wasn't at home). I usually just take the tire off and go at it with a swivel and a locking extension. It's not that bad once you have done it once. I also owned a 95 and currently an 01, and it was pretty straightforward and easy.

[vespasoul]

What about the waring sticker on the shaft regarding possible actuation of the air bags if shaft is rotated while disconected?????????

[buygm]

Quote: Originally Posted by vespasoul

What about the waring sticker on the shaft regarding possible actuation of the air bags if shaft is rotated while disconected?????????

Yeahhhhhhh......
After getting the shaft disconnected, I thought 'hmmmm. what does this sticker say?'
Wiped, the grease off and my thoughts changed to 'uh oh'.

I tied it in place and prayed that nothing bad happened.
Disconnected the battery for good luck, too.

[Evil_Fingers]

Im so glad this Forum exists....because without this Forum, I would go 5150 in trying to change the Plugs from under the Hood on my truck....well anywho, I did exactly what most of the members posted in this Thread and that was by removing the Tires to get access to all the Plugs and I also have to thank God for having a friendly neighbor who happened to have the Right Socket in removing the #3 Plug without moving the Steering Rod....and now I gotta deal wit that ever annoying engine knock!

[nhrenak]

I don't know about the second gens, but on my first gen sonoma i pulled into the garage, turned the wheels all the way to the right, grab the floor jack, jack up the driver side front wheel, (just place the jack along the frame rail under the door). jack it up, flip the dust cover, and there is the number three plug right infront of you. pull of the wire, get a 6 or 12in ext. and pull the plug.

[epiphaknee]

I have a 95 Sonoma with the 4.3L and, yes, this used to require removing the pinch bolt from the steering shaft, etc. However, the post from the mechanic is right on point.

You just access the plugs through the fender shields. It is easiest to remove the tires. But you then have a direct view of the spark plug holes. The key for me was finding a spark plug socket that was shorter than the "standard" spark plug socket. Craftsman makes a swivel and it is shorter and fits into number three with the steering shaft connected - no problem. In fact, #3 is one of the easiest with the right socket. Then, yes, you attached some long extensions. When you go to Sears just take in your typical spark plug socket and buy the swivel that is noticeably shorter.

[davidbjordan]

I agree with the original plan on here... It is the way i did mine and it tooks 3 mins to take off take out and put back in the #3 spark plug...

BTW on mine you couldn't even get the socket on the plug unless you broke it off so there is no way you could get a new one in without taking this off...

[ballinjefe22]

def not a fun job on my moms 4.3 blazer... i just swapped the 4.3 TBI into my carb'd 2.8.... life is a lot easier with the entire front clip removed. even with it on there, its easier than the plugs in my GTP... even with the wishbones off the front, there is still a lot of cuts and scrapes to get the back ones.

[canuck]

2003 xtreme
socket and wrench. jacked up the suspension, lift the flap and it takes about 15min. for me it is the #1 plug not the #3 ?

[Project"Bag&Drag"]

on my first gen was simple just a 5/8 sparkplug socket w/ a 3in ex. and a reg ratchet wroked fine. Slid right under the shaft. no problems. Guess i was just lucky

[opus70]

Ok guys have you thought of looping the seat belt through the steering wheel and buckling it and slide the seat back so it locks the steering wheel in place??

[Blazin_Jason]

Quote: Originally Posted by Project"Bag&Drag"

on my first gen was simple just a 5/8 sparkplug socket w/ a 3in ex. and a reg ratchet wroked fine. Slid right under the shaft. no problems. Guess i was just lucky

Yup lucky. Just did mine today and dropped the shaft.

[eric00]

long thread didnt raed all so sorry if its a repost of someone else

some will say i was wrong for doing so however i do alot of these at work.. i simply do the tune up on floor jacks doing almost all threw wheel well, for the hard #3 i simply put a peice of wood on a floor jack and jack up the motor a LITTLE using the play in motor mounts and easily remove with SP socket and open end wrench.

hope it not a repost hope it helps!

[redphoenix]

Thanks for the writeup. This worked on my GF's 95 Sonoma w/ Vortech Heads.

It could not been done without this way, jacking it up did nothing for me.

[blazerlow]

Wish I would have found this thread before I did my plugs. I did find a good way to change the #3 plug though. I use one of those finger ratchets and turned it with a channel locks pliers. It worked really good after about 2 hours of trying every tool combo possible.

[therealm0rh0us]

at work i use another person and a giant prybar on teh steering shaft to change #3
works everytime on every blazer or pickup

[2k2indigoxtreme]

All I did with my 02 Blazer 2wd was lower the trans onto a jackstand with a block of wood, it lifted the engine and trans up about 1/4'' to 1/2'' and that was just enough to get my extension onto my swivel and sparkplug socket, too me no extra time at all just time to look for a block of wood

[g230sport]

im doing a full on tune up today...plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, and a coil. my air filter is new, so im not replacing that.

i have a 94 1st gen blazer with the 4.3.

is this one of them that you have to remove the shaft? or is it only random ones?

im going to try and take this on through the wheel wells, seeing as that seems to be the most easiest way to do it i think...

[orangesonoma]

i used a old snap on semi deep swivel spark plug socket... no extra steps needed..

[g230sport]

well, im all done.

didnt get the fuel filter, seeing as everything was rusted, and i didnt want to break it off and be ****ed. so im going to let my dad help me with that this week.

but i got the front of the truck up on jackstands, pulled both front wheels, and all the plugs were staring me in the face at that point. i just got them out through the wheel wells.

the hardest part for me today was routing the wires, and getting them in order in each loom. than getting them to click back together without breaking or falling.

having big hands isnt always a good thing. lol

well, id say 2.25 hours for a tune up and an oil change and trying to do the fuelfilter also isnt too bad for a 17 year old

some good tips in this thread for sure!

thanks guys!

[97S10SS]

I have the special Snap-On socket for the plug problem.
Do what I did, if you need spark plugs, throw on a set of JBA's at the same time

[epiphaknee]

What is the Snap-On part number for the special socket?

I would like to go to Snap-On's online catalog and take a look at it!

Thanks in advance!

[97S10TRUCK]

how big should the gap be on the spark plugs?

[g230sport]

Quote: Originally Posted by 97S10TRUCK

how big should the gap be on the spark plugs?

i saw .045 on the sticker on the front of my truck, i think thats probably right, idk for sure though

[89Chubby]

It was a tight fit on my '89, but not something that required any special tools when I pulled each of my plugs for examination. I didn't know steering shaft removal was necessary for some folks until I read this thread.

I just poked a 5/8" socket on there, turned it loose with an open-ended wrench on the end of the socket (I'm assuming they made the sockets hexed on the back for just these kinds of vehicles ), and once it was loose, I was able to just spin the plug out with my fingertips ... installation being the reverse of removal, of course.

As previously stated, probably just an issue for the second-gen and newer 4.3 folks, I suppose, but good to know for future reference.

[02_Black_XBlazer]

Quote: Originally Posted by g230sport

i saw .045 on the sticker on the front of my truck, i think thats probably right, idk for sure though

Depends on the year..I know the '96-'97 4.3s are a .60 gap.

[Tinner]

Quote: Originally Posted by 97S10TRUCK

how big should the gap be on the spark plugs?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....group_ID=19832

[Tinner]

Quote: Originally Posted by epiphaknee

What is the Snap-On part number for the special socket?

I would like to go to Snap-On's online catalog and take a look at it!

Thanks in advance!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....group_ID=19832


Sorry used wrong quote

[kenbo1961]

great forum...I just finished changing to plugs on the wifes 1996 jimmy...I started 2 weeks ago and gave up because my hands were way to big...then I found the forum and everything worked great, just like all of the tips said. Now I'll add my 2 cents about the #3 plug. I simply used and offset, boxed end wrench and a plug socket that had the wrench end to it. put the socket on, put the wrench on the end of the socket and had my nephew on top turning the wrench a little at a time while I repositioned the plug wrench. it worked great and I ddin't have to spend 30 bucks on a snap-on tool I'll only use once.

[aaron burt]

I have taken off the steering to change 1 plug and it pissed me off, I ended up removing the small flap on both wheel wells ( no I have not had problems with debris getting in) from there you can easily put your socket on the plug and then use a boxed end wrench on the socket, works great!!

[S15jimmy]

I'd just take the wheels off, but thats just me

[greatjc]

I jacked mine up, pulled the tire & wheel well, and did the same as kenbo1961 (3 posts up). The socket looks something like this: http://www.professionalequipment.com...3064_thumb.jpg