How To Put Spark Plugs In A Car – 10 Easy Steps

Spark plugs don’t last forever. They’re mechanical parts, so they wear out over time. Fortunately, you can easily replace them in your car with the right tools and basic knowledge of changing mechanical components.

 

Below, we will share a step-by-step guide on how to put spark plugs in a car. If you’ve never replaced them before in a car, don’t worry. The following guide will teach you how to put spark plugs in a car and get your engine up and running quickly.

 

How to Put Spark Plugs in a Car Engine: 10 Effortless Steps

 

First, ensure your car’s engine isn’t hot before you start, and wear eye protection and gloves. Spark plugs get super hot, so remove these components when your car’s engine is cool. Let your vehicle’s engine cool off for a few hours, then start your DIY operation.

 

Step 1: Find the Spark Plugs in Your Vehicle

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Open the hood or bonnet of your vehicle and look for a bundle of 4-8 wires in the engine compartment. You will notice the spark plugs at the engine end of these wires under the plug covers that attach them.

 

If it’s a 4-cylinder engine, you will quickly find the spark plugs in a row on the top or side of the unit. On the other hand, if it’s a V6 or V8-cylinder engine, you will locate the spark plugs separated evenly on each side of the machine.

 

On the other hand, inline 6-cylinder engines have their spark plugs on the top or side of the engine head.

 

Some vehicles have engine covers you should remove to find the spark plug wires. You can explore your user manual and find out the number of spark plugs, their location, and what size socket you need for removal.

 

Additionally, it would help if you remembered or photographed the corresponding leads to the cylinder. Otherwise, you might forget which lead goes where when attaching new plugs.

 

Lastly, inspect the leads and ensure they’re in good condition.

 

Step 2: Let the Engine Cool Off Before Removing Your Vehicle’s Spark Plugs

 

If you’ve been running your vehicle for some time, the spark plugs, engine, and exhaust system manifold can get super hot.

 

Therefore, you should let your car’s engine cool off before you touch anything. Only take out the spark plugs when the engine is cool to the touch. Otherwise, you might hurt yourself.

 

Meanwhile, gather your tools and prepare your working station. For this DIY operation, you will need a ratchet socket drive wrench, a good extension bar, a spark plug socket, and a spark gap gauge or feeler gauge.

 

You can find these common tools in your local auto parts stores.

 

Step 3: Remove the Spark Plug and Start Working

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Once the engine is cool to the touch, you can pull the wire plug from the unit by holding it as close to the base as possible and removing it slowly to uncover the spark plug.

 

Avoid drawing the wire because going hard on the wire can ruin the spark plug lead. Fit the socket wrench with the extension bar and use your ratchet to take out the spark plug slowly and carefully.

 

You can remove one spark plug and examine the gap when inspecting the spark plugs. Return the plug and lead to the proper torque setting if you see burnt-out contacts.

 

Then, visit your local auto parts store and buy new plugs before removing the rest. You should take out the plugs one by one and keep track of their order.

 

Spark plugs fire in a certain order. So, attaching a wire to the wrong plug can make your engine fail or run rough. Moreover, installing the new spark plugs in the wrong order can also damage your engine.

 

Extra tip: If you remove more spark plugs at once, keep track of the leads and the compatible plugs. Label each wire numerically with masking tape, then give the compatible plugs the same number.

 

Step 4: Measure the Gap of the Spark Plug

 

Depending on your set of plugs and vehicle, you should obtain a specific measurement between .028 and .060-inch (0.152 cm) with some wiggle room.

 

Alternatively, you can purchase preset plugs according to the plug’s model number and application. However, you should double-check.

 

Read your user manual to know the most appropriate distance for your spark plug gap, then use your feeler gauge or gap checker to determine the length.

 

If it’s higher than necessary, but the plug is high quality and adjustable, you can change the gap by carefully tapping the plug on a strong surface with the gauge in between the plug gap until the preferred measure is set at the proper measurement.

 

Alternatively, you can replace the plugs after every 12,000 miles or 20,000 km.

 

Spark plugs aren’t expensive, so you can replace these mechanical parts as suggested in your user manual for smooth operation.

 

If you plan to change your spark plugs at home, buy the right tools, such as a fine gap checker (a metal ring for determining the distance of the electrodes).

 

On the contrary, feeler gauges provide extra precision and versatility. They deliver more precise results and offer a wide array of applications.

 

Extra tip: Always invest in genuine and high-quality parts, as low-quality and fake ones can cost you more money in the long run by requiring replacements frequently, causing damage, etc.

 

Step 5: Examine the Existing Plugs for Damage

 

Spark plugs typically look dirty but function properly. Still, if you see a white build-up or burning around the electrodes of your spark plugs, you should replace them.

 

The same goes for electrodes with missing pieces. Heavy, black residue also suggests that your spark plugs need changing.

 

If you see black, bent, or broken plugs, your engine might have a mechanical issue.

 

So, we suggest visiting a professional or one of your local auto repair shops for help unless you’re good at repairing engines.

 

Step 6: Buy the Proper Replacement Plugs

 

You can check your user manual for answers if you don’t know what spark plugs your engine needs. Alternatively, you can check booklets at your local auto parts stores for suggestions for your model and year of production.

 

There’s a wide range of spark plug combinations and measurements. They all come at different prices, anywhere between $2 and $15, depending on their construction.

 

You can find modern spark plugs made of yttrium, platinum, iridium, etc.

 

Spark plugs of platinum, iridium, and other precious metals last much longer and have a higher price than parts of copper and other lesser metals.

 

The coatings of the former wear much better, so we suggest purchasing high-quality spark plugs for better performance.

 

Step 7: When in Doubt, Buy the Same Plugs You Have Currently

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If it’s your first time changing spark plugs, call a local auto parts dealer or a car dealer’s spare parts compartment for genuine parts and ask for help.

 

Alternatively, you can purchase the same spark plugs you have in your vehicle’s engine at the moment. Avoid buying less expensive parts, and don’t think too much about fixing something that’s not broken.

 

The manufacturer chose those spark plugs for a good reason. Therefore, make your life easier and obtain the same ones if possible.

 

Furthermore, you can purchase adjustable or fixed gap spark plugs. If you plan to check your spark plugs often and make adjustments, choose adjustable ones.

 

Overall, you should ensure the gap measurement is the proper one for your car. You can know by checking it right on the spot.

 

So, take the product out of the box and quickly check the size.

 

Step 8: Clean Up Around the Wire Terminal

 

Once you get the correct spark plugs, clean up the wire terminal before installation. Replacing your old spark plugs allows you to examine the spark plug wires for any damage and clean the wire terminal.

 

You can easily clean around the wire connections with compressed air or a wire brush and ensure you’ve got a clean port. Lastly, change the wires if necessary.

 

Step 9: Install and Tighten the New Plugs

 

You can remove each plug using a spark-plug socket, then replace each with a new one and tighten it a little. Press past hand-tight only for the best results.

 

Over-tightening your new spark plugs can easily destroy the thread on the head of your engine and cause expensive and time-consuming repairs.

 

Furthermore, change the spark-plug cables on the same spark plugs they initially came from and remove the masking tape at the end.

 

You can also determine the torque specification for the spark plugs in your car’s service manual and get the job done with a ratchet with a torque setting.

 

Step 10: Lubricate the New Plugs

 

Lastly, oil up your spark plugs before installation.

 

We suggest adding a very small amount of good anti-seize lubricant on the plug threads of your engine’s aluminum. This lubricant will stop a reaction between different metals.

 

Alternatively, you can add a dielectric silicone compound. Apply the product inside your spark plug wire boot for easier removal.

 

We suggest turning the plug backward on the thread until you’ve found the hole. That way, you won’t cross-thread your new spark plug and damage your plugs and the head.

 

Finally, ensure you return the spark plug wire boot on the spark plug.

 

You will probably have to press it harder to “snap” on. If you don’t install it properly, you could cause a misfire and experience a shaky and rough ride.

 

Once you’re done installing your new spark plugs, take your car for a test drive and see if you’ve done everything right.

 

Closing Thoughts

 

Changing spark plugs isn’t rocket science. If you’re good at changing the oil and rotating tires, you won’t have a hard time replacing your spark plugs.

 

The best part about changing spark plugs at home is that you will save money on labor. Spark plugs don’t need maintenance as frequently as other car parts. However, they’re equally important for proper operation and need consistent control.

 

Taking apart your engine might seem overwhelming and intimidating. However, with the guide above and the right tools, you will replace your spark plugs quickly and easily.