Thread: Changing Spark Plugs on a 2004 Grand Prix

See that little metal sheild that is over the plug boot, you can see that one thats by the oil dipstick, that comes off with the plug boot and the spark plug is right undernearth that.

Originally Posted by Clarkie59

Thanks. I need to know if I need to twist and pull on the metal heat shield to get the plug wire off? Do the heat shield and plug wire come off together? I don't want to damage the wires.

Yes you can twist and pull on the metal shield, and yes the heat sheild is will come off with the plug boot.

The fronts are gunna be easy to change, but the will be a little harder to do because of the tight space. Some people just un-bolt the dog bones AKA ( front motor mounts) they should be black and right in front of your face when you open the hood. Then they rachet strap the engine forward to give them move room in the back to change the plugs.

Buy new wires, I will put money on some of them breaking.

I broke 2 the first time i changed my plugs and wires.

You're going to break the wires if they're stock. Just go get some stock replacements from your auto parts store they're usually only $35 and come with lifetime warranty. Like others have said you can unbolt the front mounts and take a ratchet strap to pull the motor forward slightly. It will give you a little more room in the back but even then you're still mostly going to be doing it blind. It gets alot easier after the first time and I would recommend putting some dielectric grease on the plugs to make it even easier for next time. It also helps prevent corrosion.

You don't need to move the engine around at all to get to the back 3. Sure it may be slightly easier, but in the time i takes to take off the two dog bones you will have been half way done with the back plugs.

The only reason you would need to move the engine forward is if you have huge gorilla arms.

I find if you push the shield toward the head, you can gain a little more space on the boot to grab and twist to break them free to remove. Strong fingers help if there's 50K+ miles on them since they were changed.

Originally Posted by NoBoost91

the only way to get them off is to twist and pull

Actually I have other ways. But they aren't for the faint at heart.
Thats because theres a potential that part of the plug can drop into the cylinder. It's a small risk as the plug is metal and has the tab on it to keep things from going in. Take a hammer and large screwdriver/prybar and break the wires/plugs at the base. Then pull the stub out and you are ready for the install.

Originally Posted by starscream5000

The only reason you would need to move the engine forward is if you have huge gorilla arms.

i had no choice but to pull the dog bones and roll the engine forward, as Im 6'6 and wear 3x gloves, size 16 shoe too, my little pinky finger ring size is a 15, Im a monster!

Originally Posted by scottydoggs

i had no choice but to pull the dog bones and roll the engine forward, as Im 6'6 and wear 3x gloves, size 16 shoe too, my little pinky finger ring size is a 15, Im a monster!

holy sh!t I'd say!

Jesus tits...my ring size is like an 8 I think

Kill em Shrek.

yeah i got sausage fingers lol

Lol to get my back boots out in the back I used vice grips and a breaker bar. Worked like a charm but I broke my vice grips :[