Spark Plugs
Spark plugs ignite the air and fuel mixture in the cylinder as the piston reaches the top of the compression stroke. The controlled explosion that results forces the piston down, turning the crankshaft and the rest of the drive train.
The average life of a spark plug 30,000 miles (48,300 km). On the 2.2L (LN2),engine the life of the spark plug is 100,000 miles (166,000 km). Part of the reason for this extraordinarily long life is the exclusive use of unleaded fuel, which reduces the amount of deposits within the combustion chamber and on the spark plug electrodes themselves, compared with the deposits left by the leaded gasoline used in the past. An additional contribution to long life is made by the High Energy Ignition (HEI) system, which fires the spark plugs with over 35,000 volts of electricity. The high voltage serves to keep the electrodes clear, which suffer less pitting and wear compared to breaker point ignitions.
Fig. 1: Breakdown of a common spark plug
Fig. 2: Heat range on spark plugs explained
Nevertheless, the life of a spark plug is dependent on a number of factors, including the mechanical condition of the engine, driving conditions, and the driver's habits.
When you remove the plugs, check the condition of the electrodes, they are a good indicator of the internal state of the engine. Since the spark plug wires must be checked every 15,000 miles (24,000 km), the spark plugs can be removed and examined at the same time. This will allow you to keep an eye on the mechanical status of the engine.
A small deposit of light tan or rust/red material on a spark plug that has been used for any period of time is to be considered normal. Any other color, or abnormal amounts of wear or deposits, indicates that there is something amiss in the engine.
Fig. 3: Explanation of the spark plugs numbering system
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Spark Plug Wires
INSPECTION & TESTING
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km), inspect the spark plug wires for burns, cuts, or breaks in the insulation. Check the boots and the nipples on the distributor cap. Replace any damaged wiring. General Motors requests that you replace your spark plug wires every 30,000 miles (50,000 km).
The resistance of the wires should be checked with an ohmmeter. Wires with excessive resistance will cause misfiring, and may make the engine difficult to start in damp weather.
To check resistance, remove the distributor cap, leaving the wires in place. Connect one lead of an ohmmeter to an electrode within the cap; connect the other lead to the corresponding spark plug terminal (remove it from the spark plug for this test). The following chart gives resistance values as a function of length. Replace any wire which shows a resistance over 30,000 ohms.
It should be remembered that resistance is a function of length; the longer the wire, the greater the resistance. Thus, if the wires on your car are longer than the factory originals, resistance will be higher, quite possibly outside these limits.
SOURCE: spark plug wires mismatched. 1996 GMC Sonoma Pickup Truck.
Their is no distributor on a this vehicle from the factory. Their are two coil packs loctated underneath the intake manifold. If the coil packs have not been replaced then they will be labled 1-4 in white numbers next to the terminal. The pack lolcated on the lowerside of the ignition module should be 2 / 3 and the top 1 / 4.
SOURCE: spark plug wires
Depending on the Motor. You should not have any Plug wires. You will have to remove the Top cover on the Motor and they should be Straight down from top on Either Side. (Plugs)
SOURCE: I need to change the spark plugs and wires and need to know the easiest way.
If you are going to change your spark plugs, make sure you use platinum spark plugs over the regular ones. Here's why:
http://yourhandymanzone.com/Your_Handyman_Zone_How_To_Pages_Vehicle_Car_Zone_Cars_Trucks_Vans_Engine_System_Choose_Between_Regular_Spark_Plugs_Platinum_Spark_Plugs.htm
Brad
SOURCE: need to change spark plugs and fuel filter
What motor is in the 04 Cavalier? If it’s the Eco Tech 4, you need to remove the black cover on top of the engine to access the plugs. Once you remove this cover you will see the coils and the wires for the plug are attached to this cover. Gently remove the plug wires and disconnect the electrical connector from the coils. Set this assembly aside. Using an extension and the correct size spark plug socket. Remove the plugs. With the new plugs check and verify the gap is correct prior to installing the new plugs. One the correct cap has been set, install the new plugs. It is recommend to use a piece of vacuum hose to start the threads on the plugs as to not cross thread the new plugs. One the plugs threads are started use your wrench to tighten the plugs. Do not over tighten as you can strip out the threads. Then reinstall the wires and connect up the coils, reinstall the cover and start the engine. Make sure there is no check engine light and the motor is running correctly.
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