Spark plugs

Celiessecond · #1 03-15-2007, 05:57 PM

I have an 01 Stratus 2.7 L that needs new spark plugs. The shop is quoting me around 350 to do them and I would rather do them myself or have my husband do them but we cant seem to find any diagrams or directions on how to do it. If anyone has any info please email it to me at Celiessecond@yahoo.com I have checked several manuals and still cant figure out how to get to the back plugs. Thanks Celeste

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sfx_1234 · #2 03-16-2007, 12:29 AM

If I'm not mistaken you need to remove the intake manifold to get the the 3 plugs in the back closest to the firewall. Who said the plugs needed to be replaced? Why did they suggest replacing them? How many miles are on the car? Are they the original plugs? Is there something currently wrong with the car (not running well etc) Some more details would be good.

tomthedog · #3 03-18-2007, 06:33 AM

have a 02 se 2.7 and just replaced the plugs this friday. this is what you need. You DO NOT need to pull the intake.

BEER (at least a 6-pack)
1/4" drive ratchet
3/8" drive ratchet
5/8" x 3/8" drive sparkplug socket
8mm x 1/4" drive socket
3"long x 3/8" drive extension (2 ea)
1/4"male to 3/8" female adapter
mag pick-up tool
mech fingers helps too

front side is pretty straight forward. the back side is a PAIN.
after you pull the coil packs you CAN fit the spark socket with 1 extention into the plug hole. you WILL have to push on the insulation with the socket extension kind of hard to compress it so you can get the clearance. after it drops in the hole hook up the 2nd extention and slap on the ratchet. it took me about 15 min to change out the front plugs and about 1-1/2 hours for the back side. there is just very little room to work with. but it can be done. make sure you give your man props (back rub and so forth). happy motoring.

sfx_1234 · #4 03-19-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: tomthedog

have a 02 se 2.7 and just replaced the plugs this friday. this is what you need. You DO NOT need to pull the intake.

BEER (at least a 6-pack)
1/4" drive ratchet
3/8" drive ratchet
5/8" x 3/8" drive sparkplug socket
8mm x 1/4" drive socket
3"long x 3/8" drive extension (2 ea)
1/4"male to 3/8" female adapter
mag pick-up tool
mech fingers helps too

front side is pretty straight forward. the back side is a PAIN.
after you pull the coil packs you CAN fit the spark socket with 1 extention into the plug hole. you WILL have to push on the insulation with the socket extension kind of hard to compress it so you can get the clearance. after it drops in the hole hook up the 2nd extention and slap on the ratchet. it took me about 15 min to change out the front plugs and about 1-1/2 hours for the back side. there is just very little room to work with. but it can be done. make sure you give your man props (back rub and so forth). happy motoring.

Or take the same amount of time that you did to pull the intake/plugs and re-install the intake/plugs and have a far easier time doing the job. Not to mention less things will be thrown and less fould language used.

Not to mention your chances of cross-threading the plugs is reduced since you can see what your doing. While I agree you can do it without pulling the intake why deal with the headache. I can pull the intake, replace the plugs, re-install the intake etc in the same amount of time you spent with your hand squished against the firewall.

bouda · #5 03-20-2007, 12:26 AM

Can you loosen the engine mounts and pull the engine forward like on a GM front frive v6?

Celiessecond · #6 03-23-2007, 04:51 PM

This is her husband.......

The spark plugs are standard champion plugs. Everyone Ive talked to says the engine needs double platnium plugs. When I look at the intake manifold on the top. I see 7 bolts that hold down that part. Are those bolts the only ones holding down the top half of the intake manifold or are there some bolts on the back somewhere also.

sfx_1234 · #7 03-23-2007, 07:08 PM

Well let me save you some trouble. Answer these questions.

How does the car run currently? Any loss in MPG or performance? Since the front 3 plugs are easy to get to pull them one by one. How do they look? Are they rounded or do they still have nice sharp tips on them to transfer spark etc. Now as far as the double platinum debate. They are NOT required. However since this is a v-6 and a pain to change the rear plugs I'd suggest going double platinum (autlite makes some) and they should be good for 100k miles. As far as the intake manifold goes I'm not 100% as to how many bolts there are.More than likely there is an even # of bolts that hold it down. Any cheapie repair manual at a local parts store should show the location of them and for the 10-15 dollar cost of the manual I'd suggest getting one. I'll look through some of mine and see if I can locate the info for you and scan a copy of it for you. But as I said, if the plugs look good, and the car runs fine (like normal), and theres no loss in MPG etc. leave it alone.