Question : Spark Plugs Installation

[zferraro]

I'm just starting to learn how to maintain my car. It is a 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera, it has the Generation II 3.1L V6. For a while it was having problems making it up hills and accelerating at low speeds, but now it won't start (it won't even go rrr... rrr... and the lights don't come on).

There are probably other things wrong with the car, but I want to change the spark plugs (and probably battery). But I don't know where I can find a diagram of the engine. I don't know where the spark plugs are to replace. In the back of the engine (close to the cab) there are 6 heavy gauge wires that connect to terminals, but nothing in that area enters the engine. Out of the six wires that leave, I can follow three, and they go into the engine block, but don't seem like they are susceptible to pulling or unscrewing.

What would help me the most would be a diagram, but if a HowTo exists, that would also be useful.

Thank you for your time.

[pocket-rocket]

Well, this should have gone in this area because your engine is not a DOHC, it is a pushrod engine. Those heavy cables would be your spark plug wires, and they should pull off down at the bottom where they hook to the engine, your plugs are hiding under them. The rear ones you will have to do by feel. The wires are probably going to give you a hard time coming off, so some of the best advice I can give you is to use spark plug grease (no, I am not joking) on the wires when you put them on the new plugs, and do the plugs one at a time so you don't mix up wires and mess up your firing order. We don't really have a walk through or how to of changing plugs since it is pretty much very basic knowledge. The wires do not unscrew, they more or less "click" into place. Welcome to the site, though!

[IsaacHayes]

Yeah sounds like no voltage. Uhm, 3 on the "front" 3 on the "rear". If you don't know what spark plug boots and wires look like, do a google search, then you will be able to figure it out... LOL

Don't pull on the wire, only the boot. And twist the boot back and forth until it un-sticks then you can pull it off easier. Change plugs when the engine is cold. Put some anti-seize on the threads before re-installing. Don't mix up the order of the spark plug wires, and make sure they go on and "snap" so that the electrical connector makes good connection.

[robertisaar]

you can be somewhat lenient on the plug wires going to the correct cylinders since this is a waste spark system. so as long as it goes to the correct coil, it will be fine.

if they get mixed up, we'll know which way they go.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

take all the plug wires off, with wire cutters.(edit: if you cut the wrong wire, just continue on untill you have the right ones.) then with a hammer, begin to remove the portion still connected to the engine with a fast, downward motion, striking with the blunt force side of the hammer. then once you are convinced you have done enough damage. just ask your car-knowledgeable friend or dad to do it for you.

[pocket-rocket]

I thought that was the L67 only way of doing things?

[60dgrzbelow0]

Take all the plug wires off, with wire cutters. (edit: If you cut the wrong wire, just continue on untill you have the right ones.)... then with a hammer, begin to remove the portion still connected to the engine with a fast, downward motion, striking with the blunt force side of the hammer. Then once you are convinced you have done enough damage , just ask your car-knowledgeable friend or dad to do it for you.

Not a Helluva lot of pity in here for your first post, huh? Not to worry... It'll get a Helluva lot worse ...before it gets better. About the Spark Plug "wires"... there really isn't any "Wire" as in Copper Wire inside those six black rubber tubes... but mostly a kind of Carbon-Powder embedded Kevlar or Nylon... so like IsaacHayes told you...DON'T yank or pull on anything except the boots that cover your spark plugs or you'll soon find out how weak those "wires" really are. The "Wire" substitutes are made to keep the static on your radio to a minimum... that's all.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

lol it was a joke. i figured the explanation was pretty good and thought it was worth a laugh.

if you dont think its funny, well im sorry for saying it then.