[CANCAD]

A few questions.......

Where are the spark plugs?
What is the best way to get at them?
What is the electronic unit bolted to the valve covers?
What else should I change/replace in order to do a full tune up?
What is the procedure to change the fuel filter?

Thanks,

Malcolm

 

[EcSTSatic]

If you are going to start doing your own work, my advice is to spend about $10-$15 for an aftermarket manual. Review the general maintenance section. All these questions and more will be answered.

 

[CANCAD]

EcSTSatic,

OK.......thanks for stating the obvious!

 

[EcSTSatic]

Cancad, I wasn't trying to be a wiseass or anything. Maybe I don't understand your questions. If you open the hood, the spark plugs are right in front of you. Getting to them you need a socket wrench, spark plug socket and extension. Pretty simple. you will have to move the coil packs to get the back ones.

" What is the electronic unit bolted to the valve covers?" Both covers? Need a little help here. Aft? If that's the case, you may be referring to the coil packs.

What constitutes a "full tuneup" is debatable. Oil change perhaps?

 

[Ranger]

Didn't the 2000's go to COP (coil on plug), or was that later? If so, the electronic unit bolted to the valve covers would be the coil pack. The plugs would be under them.

 

[CANCAD]

EcSTSatic,

No worries........

No really I am mechanically inclined.........It's just that I'm used to working on 60's muscle cars (I own a 68 Firebird) .......anyway......

Ok, I removed the 8 bolts that secure the an electonic unit that is bolted directly to the valve covers. I figured that the spark plugs would be underneath...not there. I removed the decorative plastic cover that hides the intake and fuel rails (caddy emblem in the center)...All I see are the, what I identify as, the fuel injectors??

 

[CANCAD]

Ranger,

I looked man.........there are 4 holes on each rocker cover that accept the an L shaped electronic unit......I would love to post a pic to show you guys.

This is somewhat embarassing!

 

[Ranger]

Does it have conventional spark plug wires? I would suspect not as you would have seen them and followed them to the plugs, which leads me to think you have the COP system, which unfortunately I have yet to see, but will as soon as I locate right '02 SLS.

 

[CANCAD]

Ranger,

No wires........seriously

What is a COP system?

 

[CANCAD]

Look what I found when I did a search for COP ......this is exactly what I'm talking about.


This is from my other thread. It merits its own thread however.

This question concerns the COP unit that bolts into the valve covers, for example my 2000 Seville SLS.

On the right side of the COP unit, the wire harness plugs into some type of electronic box, that is mounted into the COP unit. Two screws and it pulls out of the COP unit. It has heat sinks on it and an internal plug that mates with a plug inside the COP unit. Slides in and out on guide rails.

What is this Box? Are they propriatary to each side of the Engine? In other words can you switch the COP units front to back, with out switching out this box, or is the box a control module for the cyclinders on that side of the engine only.

 

[Ranger]

COP = Coil On Plug. One coil for each plug which eliminates plug wires. I believe I recall someone saying that all 4 coils on each bank where in one unit so when one goes bad you have to replace all four. Sorry I can't be of more help but like I said I have yet to lay eyes on one of these.

 

[JimD]

While Larry is looking for his '02 Seville, I will tell you that COP is a coil-on-plug ignition system. Eight coils located directly above the spark plugs. And a (very) short high voltage lead down to the plug connector.

In the '04 implementation, the coils look like they will swap from cylinder to cylinder. But swapping the RH bank coils will require some Braille skills.

 

[CANCAD]

Ok...now we are getting somewhere.......lol

Now, under that 4 coil pack there are 4 male connectors (studs) that fit into 4 rubber gromets on the valve covers. I guess what you guys are saying is that I have remove the rubber gromets to get at the plugs? Otherwise I would have to remove the valve covers (not likely).

 

[EcSTSatic]

No really I am mechanically inclined.........It's just that I'm used to working on 60's muscle cars (I own a 68 Firebird) .......anyway......

Cool! I had a 68 Firebird too! I had the 400 model, factory hood tach, fake hood scoops, and convertible to boot! Man I wish I'd kept that car! Had a '65 Olds 442, a '65 GTO convertible and a '65 Buick GS at one time too. I guess the goat was the best of the bunch. 389, tri-power, 4spd. Just like the song.

Sorry about my answers. I just assumed that the 2000s looked like the '99. I'll shut up now.

 

[CANCAD]

ECstsATIC,

Hey .....we are all learning together!

Check out my site: http://ca.geocities.com/mjzack/

 

[Ur7x]

Cancad...

Why are we doing any of this??? Is the car running fine? If so please don't fiddle with it!

The plugs are platinum from the factory and are good for 160,000km...

And the post about the oil change is right... That (when the Oil Life monitor asks for it) and a coolant drain ever 5 years is all that these engines need...

I would rotate the tires front to back every six months too...

Honestly, Tune Ups, haven't been required on most cars since the late 70's when we all switched to electronic ignitions (points needed annual maintenance) and hydraulic camshafts (solid lifters also needed adjusting every 20,000 miles or so)