Notices
Series I Do It Yourself Forum Wanna save some coin or time/money in the shop? Read up on Do-It-Yourself custom mods and repairs & post your own here.

DIY: Spark Plug change.......

Old 09-09-2009, 01:33 AM
  #226  
Registered User
 
Jasonvaldez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fresno,Ca
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
did mine the other day really easy Thanks!
Old 09-09-2009, 06:43 AM
  #227  
Registered
 
cliffkemp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Atlanta area
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ASH8
I am forming the opinion that Coils should be changed at every other spark plug change.

And about 15,000 Miles is enough for the Spark Plugs, even though "Mazda" says you can go a lot further..yes, you can, but how efficient is the spark, from that how complete is your Fuel Igniting.

Much also depends on your type of driving and RPM's, even weather.
Unless you are running lots of boost (even that is debatable) the stock coils are just fine. Its the connections you need to check. The plugs should be changed often, yes. The coils are good for a while. Make sure you have a good connection between the coil/wire, wire/plug. If the connection is loose, even just a little bit, will cause the coils to want to overheat and the spark will not be as consistant on top end. You should dyno your car often to see how it is performing and check the connection of the plug wires to the coils and sparkplug end too. I am going to find out what we use at work to make good connections to our annealers and let you all know so you can use it, its some kind of paste similar to silicon. Will keep you posted.
Old 11-08-2009, 06:26 PM
  #228  
Registered
 
BReal-10EC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Wow- you guys aren't kidding about replacing the spark plugs often. I just changed the original plugs on my 04 RX8- with 33.5k miles. Wow- they are worn/fouled- though mine seem "oilier" than the OPs. The car runs so much better now.
Attached Thumbnails DIY: Spark Plug change.......-rx8fouledplugs.jpg  
Old 12-16-2009, 08:49 AM
  #229  
Registered
 
mannerofspeakin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: KNoxville, TN
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Spoolin8
If you scroll down they also have a packaged deal that includes 1 leading, 1 trailing and a pack of NGK ZE81 spark plug wires for 59.00 so thats roughly 120$ for a set of plugs and wires.

You only need one set of wires. So actual cost is $92 for 4 spark plugs and 1 wire set. Awesome deal. Wish Amazon sold the ignition coils too.
Old 12-28-2009, 04:25 PM
  #230  
Registered
 
77mjd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Autozone must have screwed up the order I made for the plugs because I ordered 2 leading and 2 trailing and received a box which contained 4 individually boxed leading plugs and another box with 4 individually boxed trailing plugs. 8 plugs total for for 84.99.
Attached Thumbnails DIY: Spark Plug change.......-005.jpg   DIY: Spark Plug change.......-006.jpg  
Old 12-28-2009, 07:58 PM
  #231  
It's Complicated
iTrader: (2)
 
Pico's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Dirty Jerz
Posts: 1,780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
^ Yeah they messed that order up.
Nice x-mas gift
Old 12-28-2009, 08:29 PM
  #232  
Registered
 
77mjd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Pico
^ Yeah they messed that order up.
Nice x-mas gift
Yup...Merry Christmas to me! Maybe I should try my luck ordering some coils from there too. 2-for-1's on those would be really good.
Old 01-05-2010, 12:30 PM
  #233  
Registered
 
bejackso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bump

doing all 4 of mine tonight. i bought the car with approx 42.5k mi on it, now it has approx 57.5k mi. i have never changed the plugs, and to my knowledge they've never been changed in the past. so we could be dealing with 4 stock plugs with 57.5k mi on them. regardless, will post pics when done.
Old 01-09-2010, 12:23 PM
  #234  
TAZ
 
Taz Ismail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Very nicely explained tony.
I wanted to ask that will the car display CEL light if there is a foulty spark plug??
Old 01-14-2010, 06:06 PM
  #235  
Registered User
 
ksanders8706's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey, guys. I've read most of this thread and have a few questions. Is it recommended to change the ignition coils along with the wires and plugs? Which vendors currently offer the better prices on OEM parts? I'm sure I'll order the plugs from sparkplugs.com, so are the twenty-some dollar plugs sufficient, or are the racing class plugs recommended? I noticed the wireset from sparkplugs.com is much cheaper than finish line performance. Are they the same? Which vendors do you guys recommend for the coils? Finish Line Performance has them at thirty-five dollars each. I've heard people talking about one hundred dollar four-packs, but am not sure.

Also, using the wheel removal method, how long from start to finish is expected for someone with moderate mechanical skills and understanding? Don't wanna run out of daylight!
Old 01-14-2010, 09:14 PM
  #236  
Registered
 
Rote8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Boosted...
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I needs plugs.
My car is the spark plug zombie...
Old 01-15-2010, 03:18 AM
  #237  
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
djfa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Montreal, QC
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ksanders8706
Hey, guys. I've read most of this thread and have a few questions. Is it recommended to change the ignition coils along with the wires and plugs? Which vendors currently offer the better prices on OEM parts? I'm sure I'll order the plugs from sparkplugs.com, so are the twenty-some dollar plugs sufficient, or are the racing class plugs recommended? I noticed the wireset from sparkplugs.com is much cheaper than finish line performance. Are they the same? Which vendors do you guys recommend for the coils? Finish Line Performance has them at thirty-five dollars each. I've heard people talking about one hundred dollar four-packs, but am not sure.

Also, using the wheel removal method, how long from start to finish is expected for someone with moderate mechanical skills and understanding? Don't wanna run out of daylight!
there is a store on ebay selling NGK laser iridium plugs, NGK wires and 4 latest version coils for 375$. I bought it right away and installed myself. My baby feels fresh.

You can change plugs without changing the rest. Your wires and coils will probably last longer than your plugs but i wouldnt go more than 25k with them before i change
Old 01-15-2010, 01:07 PM
  #238  
Registered User
 
VTR_RX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Trinidad
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have changed the plugs; miss-firing gone!!!
however, when it is on drive and idling, it vibrates the car, kinda funny noise I hear coming from the front of the 8.

Suggestions?
Old 01-15-2010, 04:23 PM
  #239  
Registered User
 
ndhoffma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Are all the wires connected securely?
Old 01-16-2010, 06:43 PM
  #240  
Registered
 
rXter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ran into the same problem as kersh4u. First plug seems like its in there good. Even put a little cheater bar to get more leverage. Any one else find a solution to this problem?

Thanks
Old 01-16-2010, 07:45 PM
  #241  
Super Moderator
 
ASH8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 10,861
Received 316 Likes on 225 Posts
Can happen, just make sure you put an anti-seize grease on the new spark plugs threads before install...will make it much easier to remove next time, and don't over-tighten.
Old 01-17-2010, 11:02 PM
  #242  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
skrubol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Southeast NH
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Use a bigger cheater bar is my suggestion. I think I needed an impact wrench to get one of mine out. Took all the threads from the block with it. Needed to helicoil mine. Hope yours isn't as bad.
Old 01-25-2010, 02:02 PM
  #243  
Rotary User
 
kwikslvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My 8 has 67k miles on it, and i bought it 2 years ago with 48k... sure that a tune up had been done. i figured it was getting close to needing one again, but just to make sure i called my stealership. they looked through the records and found that the car has never had a tune up, and still has the stock OG plugs, wires, and coils... WOW. it runs fine except for a little wait on the starting (or maybe ive never really experienced what this car can do), but im going to replace it all this week and we'll see how bad it is...

Last edited by kwikslvr; 01-25-2010 at 04:23 PM.
Old 01-25-2010, 08:06 PM
  #244  
Eat Sleep Drive
iTrader: (1)
 
uncleant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 77mjd
Autozone must have screwed up the order I made for the plugs because I ordered 2 leading and 2 trailing and received a box which contained 4 individually boxed leading plugs and another box with 4 individually boxed trailing plugs. 8 plugs total for for 84.99.
SAME THING JUST HAPPENED TO ME!!!! it was great! the guy at the counter was like its your lucky day they sent you eight plugs! SO GOOD! 8 plugs for 85 bucks hell yeah
Old 01-26-2010, 08:53 PM
  #245  
Registered User
 
ksanders8706's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just needing a little clarification. I ordered a new wire set, plug set, and a coil set. I understand the removal and installation of each, but I'm a little unsure of the average time? This week would be ideal to work on it, but it's going to get nasty by Thursday. When I get off work, it's almost dark out. Are we talking a half hour job? Hour? Three hour?

What are your experiences?
Old 01-27-2010, 01:26 PM
  #246  
Eat Sleep Drive
iTrader: (1)
 
uncleant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
are the NGK plugs pre gaped?
Old 01-27-2010, 01:50 PM
  #247  
Super Moderator
 
ASH8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 10,861
Received 316 Likes on 225 Posts
Yes
Old 01-27-2010, 03:12 PM
  #248  
Registered Zoom Zoomer
iTrader: (2)
 
Huey52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 4,089
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
All sparkplugs are gapped for their intended application, but a good idea to doublecheck them yourself.
Old 02-11-2010, 12:52 AM
  #249  
Registered User
 
DougR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Does anyone know of other working spark plug brands that I can use, its proving difficult to get NGK's in South Africa other than from the dealers and Im not willing to be bent over by them on pricing. I have heard that there are a Greddy version that can be used....anyone know the product code?
Old 02-20-2010, 05:19 PM
  #250  
Trained true Killers
 
the1jesster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Triad NC
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have stumbled my way through most of the post's in this thread and still need to know what is the avg life span of our spark plugs mine are stock Mazda.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 2 votes, 5.00 average.

Quick Reply: DIY: Spark Plug change.......



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:00 AM.