How to change spark plugs on a 2002 Saturn L300

This is a difficult car to change them on so i have provided a guide to help people out.Tools required:


1 Crescent Wrench 1 "5/8 Spark Plug Socket 1 "3/8 Drive Ratchet 1 "3/8 Drive Extension 1 "1/4 Drive Ratchet 1 Pair of Small Channel Lock Pliers 1 Inverted Torx Socket Set
Even if you do not own any tools at most you should spend about $75 for the tools required to do this task.

Looking down at the engine you will see the two intake manifold runners and four boots for each one. Each boot has two clamps. The easiest way to take them off was to use a pair of small channel lock pliers to squeeze the clamp enough to unlatch the clip. they make a special tool for this, But its not really worth the money.



The front manifold is a little easier than the rear one. there are only three bolts that need to be unbolted and the manifold should slide off.


Now there are two bolts that need to be removed and the coil packs can be slid out.


The front spark plugs are now exposed and can be changed.

The rear is a little more tricky because there is more that needs to be removed off of the manifold. The PCM can either be unbolted or unplugged. Whichever method you choose you may be required to use the re-learn technique for the pass-key system. There are two vacuum hoses that go to a black box that need to be removed. There is a brass fitting that is holding a larger vacuum hose onto the manifold. There is a sensor that needs to be unplugged on the right side of the manifold. there are four bolts that hold the manifold down. there are 4 total and two are in the back of the manifold.


Now you should be ready to pull off the manifold. Make sure there are no more harnesses or sensors attached to the back of the manifold. It looks like there is one or 2 from the manual. Pull the manifold off and you will expose the coil pack. Unbolt it just like you did the front and pull the coil packs off to expose the rear spark plugs. Change your spark plugs and put everything back reverse of the install.
Some tips. I find its best to take ziploc bags and put bolts for specific steps and mark them with a permanent marker so you do not confuse them. Also it helps to take pictures with a digital camera on each steps so you know how it looked before you put it on.