Spark plug change
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I had dealer do it. I had other work at same time so I am not sure of cost w/o looking up in my files. I thought car ran slightly better after change. I have twin turbo and maintenance page in manual said after 60,000 miles.
Seeing as how plugs last a very long time nowadays, daughter has 135k on her original '05 Impala V6 plugs, I submit not a whole lot of XTS's have undergone spark plug replacement. I have 28k mi. on my '13. My mechanic said if it ain't broke don't fix it on plugs. I know the turbo motor has a shorter maintenance interval.
The service manual says yes, remove intake manifold for engine bank 1 (that's the rear) ignition coil replacement. Have you removed the intake manifold cover and had a look? Front plugs 2, 4, and 6, look easy to access. Rear plugs 3 and 5 look like a maybe w/o intake manifold removal. Plug #1 and it's respective coil pack is hiding under an extension of the intake manifold. Hard to even get a photo of it. The ruler in photo #1 is pointing at the extension. Photo #2 shows the #1 coil pack hiding under that piece. Photo #3 shows #5,3 and 1 coil packs with the last photo of the engine with the intake cover removed. Interested to know how it works out for you as it looks kind of tight in the back.
I know the pros have tricks to doing things that allow them to skip steps in the shop manual, CUE replacement for instance.
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Its $700.00 for the dealer to replace 6 spark plugs... 3hr labor charge to remove and reinstall the intake manifold. I am disappointed that GM would design the engine parts in such a way to prevent the normal owner from performing this basic maintenance item. I believe easily changing the spark plugs in my car is a right protected by the constitution... lol
I haven't changed the plugs in a 13 but did change them in a slightly older caddy with the same engine. Removing the intake is not a big deal if you have a good set of tools. I think it took about an hour total. The car had 140,000 on it and the plugs were still in good shape. Went to iridium plugs because they last virtually forever. Just have to see if you can find the correct heat range for a 13 3.6.
Changed the plugs in the 13 today. Took 4 hrs. The time consuming part is removing the hoses and connectors anchored to the intake manifold so you can remove it. I used the AC Delco iridium plugs and intake manifold gasket from Advance Auto Parts. The plugs were the same as the original plugs in the car.
Car is running noticeably smoother but the check engine light came on. I will check the code in the morning and also give the car a couple of days to see if the light goes out. $78.00 total in parts. $500 to $700 cost at dealer for spark change.
ACDelco Iridium Spark Plug
Part No 41-109
Felpro Intake Manifold Gasket Set
Part No MS 97222
Car is running noticeably smoother but the check engine light came on. I will check the code in the morning and also give the car a couple of days to see if the light goes out. $78.00 total in parts. $500 to $700 cost at dealer for spark change.
ACDelco Iridium Spark Plug
Part No 41-109
Felpro Intake Manifold Gasket Set
Part No MS 97222
" I believe easily changing the spark plugs in my car is a right protected by the constitution... lol"
Well the flathead Ford certainly fit that category.
At least you didn't have to rotate the engine forward to reach the rears.
How many miles on the plugs and how did they look?
Well the flathead Ford certainly fit that category.
At least you didn't have to rotate the engine forward to reach the rears.
How many miles on the plugs and how did they look?
On the plugs... 102K on the motor. Plugs were worn but functional. The ground electrode was in tack, not pitted. The center electrode was worn to a point with some of the material sitting on the ground electrode. The insulator was white, not yellow,
Also, the code was P0174, system too lean bank 2 I believe. I reset it and I has not come back on during a days driving.
Also, the code was P0174, system too lean bank 2 I believe. I reset it and I has not come back on during a days driving.
At least you don't have to lift the body off like you do on a Ford F150 for a spark plug change.
I have 97K miles on my 2014 XTS and plan to wait another 10 or 20K miles until I tackle the plug change. I spoke to one Chevy service writer who suggested changing the spark coils on the buried side since its one issue to take off the likely to fail list. Impala LTZ has the same motor. Also knowing that the intake manifold is a dry installation simplifies the work too.
Just completed a spark plug change on my 2014 V sport, 3 hours to complete,(dealer wanted almost $400 to do.
not the most difficult job to do, just have to take you time and follow directions, used the on line ALLdatadiy.
I did not totally remove the turbo inlet on both sides was able to just push them aside, did remove the top of the intake, reused gasket even through they say to replace.
the trick is to figure out how the electrical connections are disconnected, the spark plug connection has a tab you need to removed and then squeeze the connector to get loose,
not the most difficult job to do, just have to take you time and follow directions, used the on line ALLdatadiy.
I did not totally remove the turbo inlet on both sides was able to just push them aside, did remove the top of the intake, reused gasket even through they say to replace.
the trick is to figure out how the electrical connections are disconnected, the spark plug connection has a tab you need to removed and then squeeze the connector to get loose,
I just changed my spark plugs I got a 2014 xts platinum & I changed #1 & #2 coil packs & buddy it runs like a champ I literally woke it up . It took about 1 hour & yes the ones in the back is under the intake . & get you a new set of upper gaskets & please get ACDCO coast in parts $ 100.00
Just did mine the other day with a new intake gasket. It may look scary but it was actually very easy.
Now it is idling smoothly with 0 hesitation.
![595278]()
Now it is idling smoothly with 0 hesitation.
Hello, I have a 2014 XTS Vsport. I recently changed the spark plugs yesterday. It was not hard at all. It took some time but not hard to do at all and there is a definite improvement in performance and MPG. I can walk you through with pictures if needed.
Thanks
I would like to read that and see the photos. Do the charge air coolers have to come off?
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