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Changing/Can't Remove
Spark Plugs
The owner's manual
recommends changing the spark plugs every 10,000 miles. The coils can be
on pretty tight. Here's what to do:
1) Get prepared. Make
sure all of your tools are ready and that you have a new set of properly
gapped spark plugs.
2) Remove the gas tank.
Although you can skip this step, removing the tank does make changing
the plugs easier.
To remove the tank: first, remove the instrument cluster. Next,
mark the three wiring harness disconnects BEFORE disconnecting them, so
you will know which connector goes where when reconnecting them.
Then place a rag at the front of the gas tank BEFORE removing it
and disconnect the fuel line. The fuel line should have very little fuel
in it as the electric fuel pump also acts as automatic petcock and shuts
the fuel off automatically when receiving no power. Carefully take
the fuel tank off and lay it upside-down on a moving blanket or other
non-scratch surface.
3) Remove the plug boots,
coil, and spark plugs. Get a paper clip, bend it, and use it to
break the seal of the boot around the plug. The coil is held
secure to the heads by a holder. Pull the coil away from the holder and
off of the spark plug. Unscrew the spark plugs.
4) Install new plugs.
When you install new plugs, you may want to index your plugs.
Check for the proper gap (.035"), then make a mark on the porcelain directly
above the gap on the electrodes. When you reinstall the plugs, and
you are close to the proper torque, stop when the mark on the porcelain
points toward the intake valves.
Put a small amount of dielectric grease on the inside of the boots
before you
reinstall them. Use your special tool paper clip to burp the boots
when you
reinstall them.
(Thanks to Nick Trumbo for
this information)
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