New spark plugs

[ccopp65]

My 19 yr old daughter has a 02 Liberty. It needs the spark plugs changed and I'm curious as to how hard they are to change and if anyone had any suggestions or issues changing their plugs. A while back I went to change the spark plugs in the wife's Buick Rendezvous and the plugs were so hard to un-thread from the head, that on ended up snapping off (threads were the only thing that stayed in the head). We ended up having to replace the engine. Ever since then, I'm kind of leery about changing plugs in aluminum heads. Any tips would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks! Chris

 

[rjkj2005]

My 19 yr old daughter has a 02 Liberty. It needs the spark plugs changed and I'm curious as to how hard they are to change and if anyone had any suggestions or issues changing their plugs. A while back I went to change the spark plugs in the wife's Buick Rendezvous and the plugs were so hard to un-thread from the head, that on ended up snapping off (threads were the only thing that stayed in the head). We ended up having to replace the engine. Ever since then, I'm kind of leery about changing plugs in aluminum heads. Any tips would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks! Chris

Not hard. The one under the coolant reservoir is a little difficult. Some move it out of the way. I didn't . Just do it with the engine cold. So as not to pull the threads out. The Aluminum gets soft when warmed.

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[LibertyTC]

Search google: change spark plugs 2003 Jeep Liberty. The videos may be of help to you.
It really is not that hard take your time.
As plugs are down deep, I use electrical tape from socket to extension to ensure when I pull up, socket does not come off the extension.
To aid in removal next time, I do use the smallest sniff of anti-seize on the treads. (barley visible)
I change the plugs every 30,000-35,000 miles.
I use the under hood sticker NGK listed plugs, & set gap to .040
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Let your Jeep "run" better soon!
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[JasonJ]

Wow... replaced the engine engine in the Buick because of one plug? Could you not have just had the head pulled, broken plug removed and head replaced or reinstalled? Changing out the entire engine seems like unneccessary overkill.

As for the Jeep... Everything LibertyTC said. Tape your spark plug socket and extension together (I like to use magentic plug sockets, no rubber insert to deal with). Use a good ratchet and when loosening, dont get all cockeyed and reef on it sideways... those torsional forces are what break plugs.

Since they're down in there deep, you'll want an 8-10" extension.

Go slow... if the plug seems stiff to unthread, work it back in, then back out... sometimes, if the threads are going to come loose and pull out of the head, they're just gonna do it. It *****, but shouldn't be the norm. If it doesnt happen to you, it'll happen to the shop you take it to.

The one behind the coolant tank is the toughest, but is not bad, especially if you use a u-joint swivel on your socket.

Use basic copper plugs, preferably the factory NGK's... make sure not to overtighten on installation. Good luck.

 

[ccopp65]

Wow... replaced the engine engine in the Buick because of one plug? Could you not have just had the head pulled, broken plug removed and head replaced or reinstalled? Changing out the entire engine seems like unneccessary overkill.

As for the Jeep... Everything LibertyTC said. Tape your spark plug socket and extension together (I like to use magentic plug sockets, no rubber insert to deal with). Use a good ratchet and when loosening, dont get all cockeyed and reef on it sideways... those torsional forces are what break plugs.

Since they're down in there deep, you'll want an 8-10" extension.

Go slow... if the plug seems stiff to unthread, work it back in, then back out... sometimes, if the threads are going to come loose and pull out of the head, they're just gonna do it. It *****, but shouldn't be the norm. If it doesnt happen to you, it'll happen to the shop you take it to.

The one behind the coolant tank is the toughest, but is not bad, especially if you use a u-joint swivel on your socket.

Use basic copper plugs, preferably the factory NGK's... make sure not to overtighten on installation. Good luck.

Thanks for your help!

The engine in the Rendezvous had over 180,000 miles on it and the shop wanted more to remove the heads and possibly remove the plug than finding a lower mileage engine and have it swapped out. It was one of the back plugs that there was no easy way to fix it. I wasn't going to put that kind of $$ in a high mileage engine.

 

[CactusJacked]

Very easy to do, especially compared to what I went through replacing a buddy's plugs in his Silverado truck just last night. My arms are still red. Once the plug is loose, I use a section of 3/8" fuel hose and pop it on the end of the plug to pull it out. Also use the hose method for dropping the plugs back in and starting the threads. Works like a charm.

 

[dude1116]

Very easy to do, especially compared to what I went through replacing a buddy's plugs in his Silverado truck just last night. My arms are still red. Once the plug is loose, I use a section of 3/8" fuel hose and pop it on the end of the plug to pull it out. Also use the hose method for dropping the plugs back in and starting the threads. Works like a charm.

Magnetic socket works just as well for me.

 

[CalcityRenegade]

Very easy to do, especially compared to what I went through replacing a buddy's plugs in his Silverado truck just last night. My arms are still red. Once the plug is loose, I use a section of 3/8" fuel hose and pop it on the end of the plug to pull it out. Also use the hose method for dropping the plugs back in and starting the threads. Works like a charm.

So I should not have given away my 5' hunk of Goodyear 3/8 fuel hose... lol.

 

[CactusJacked]

Magnetic socket works just as well for me.

How well does your extension bend around corners for threading in a plug? Bet it's not as flexible as a hose. lol
Simple straight drop-ins seem to be few and far between for me. By now, this way is a habit.

 

[dude1116]

How well does your extension bend around corners for threading in a plug? Bet it's not as flexible as a hose. lol
Simple straight drop-ins seem to be few and far between for me. By now, this way is a habit.

Definitely not knocking the way you do it, as that seems to be MUCH more flexible for angles...but my extension has a swivel joint on it to move quite a bit. Works very well for the Jeep which has no bends really to get to the plugs. But I would imagine it can get some funky angles too.

Kinda like this one...just not craftsman:

Craftsman 6in 5/8 Spark Plug Socket

 

[BorincanoKJ]

Very cool animated image of the spark plug that you put here LibertyTC.
Remembering to use what the sticker under the hood specified.
Your Jeep Liberty will be responding and you will be happy.

Regards!

 

[Kal-El]

Just for the heck of it I shoot a blast or two of compressed air around the coil pack before I remove it just in case there's a sneaky piece of trash hiding in there.

 

[Tog]

Everyone seems to like the copper plugs. When I did mine about 5k ago i used the ngk iridium plugs not terribly cheap but thats what came out of it and they seem to work just fine

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[tommudd]

Everyone seems to like the copper plugs. When I did mine about 5k ago i used the ngk iridium plugs not terribly cheap but thats what came out of it and they seem to work just fine

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So because some "unwise/unknowing" person installed the wrong plugs then you should as well.
Its written right on the radiator support the plug number and that is what works best
Spending money on things that are not right is a waste

 

[CalcityRenegade]

Everyone seems to like the copper plugs. When I did mine about 5k ago i used the ngk iridium plugs not terribly cheap but thats what came out of it and they seem to work just fine

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We like copper plugs because that's what the engine was designed to run. When I bought my KJ I went to my local part store to get new plugs and coil packs and the part guy gave me NGK Iridium plugs and I did not know any different. The old dude cashing me out saw them and asked me who the hell gave those to me and promptly gave me the correct copper plugs for a fraction of the cost. Now my Nissan Titan. That is NGK Laser Iridium plugs only at $35/Plug, Amazon has the best deal at $30/Plug. And there is 8 of them...

 

[tjkj2002]

Everyone seems to like the copper plugs. When I did mine about 5k ago i used the ngk iridium plugs not terribly cheap but thats what came out of it and they seem to work just fine

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The 3.7 ignition system is designed around copper plugs(or nickel plugs),using anything but will change the resistance of the system and will cause issues and early coil failure.

Plus copper plugs give the hottest and best spark.

Reason you see so many wrong plugs is all parts stores push those expensive plugs since there profit is higher on them then the cheap correct plugs.

If I had a dollar for everytime installing the correct plugs fixed a misfire issue since the engine had the wrong plugs installed I could buy myself a nice brand new Lamborghini.