Thread: Tune up the 05 Grand Prix with 3800 III

On to the plugs and wires
Tools needed, 3/8" drive ratchet, 3" extension, 5/8" spark plug socket, and spark plug wire pliers. I also ended up using some needle nose pliers, a 16mm deep socket, and some steel wool, but I don't think a normal job would require them.
I didn't include pics of the old plugs because they all looked normal. If you want to see normal wear for spark plugs, check the back of your Hains manual.
Also, this engine calls for Iridium plugs. I went with platinum because they were a nice middle of the road alternative. Not cheap, but not expensive either. They may not last as long but I doubt this car is going to be around for another 78K. I'm sure they'll be fine



Taper seat, 7-14lb/ft of torque


Not sure what the little aluminum prophylactic is for. Maybe to keep the spark energy from flirting with the rest of the engine.

Some plugs come pre-gapped. These did not. .60 on the feeler gauge.

Doing them one at a time to keep is all straight

Matching up the wires of course. The old ones were 5mm and the new are 7mm. I guess that's good. Besides that, they look to be a good match.

I can't even see the ones in back. What am I in for?



If you wondered where the down stream O2 sensor is, there you go.

I found this which was interesting. Not sure what caused it but a little steel wool cleaned it up pretty well.

The rest is mostly a lot of swearing and the pics don't really show much. It's kind of a balance between reaching from the top or the bottom. If you don't have spark plug wire pliers, don't even start this job.

#6 cylinder was by far the hardest. It wasn't just because I had to crawl under the car, or because it was behind the upstream O2 sensor. The plug wire just did not wan't to come off. The pic should give some idea. Beware the edges on the heat shield.

When I got all done, the car had a miss and started throwing codes again. I took it back to Costless where they told me #6 was not firing. I climbed on top of the engine and was able to get the wire seated from there. (HOT) I had them clear the codes one more time and that's how I left it. So far so good.

Tomorrow I'm going to flush the cooling system and replace the Dex-Cool with Prestone Long Life. I bought 3 gallons of distilled water just for this project. I'm a little concerned about flushing because I think this is probably some pretty nasty stuff. I'll save the coolant from the engine in jugs and let the flush roll down the driveway. Sorry Free Willy.

Just a tip for the next spark plug change, take the 2 front dog dones off, put car in Netural, DO NOT START!! and push forward and set E-brake and u will have more room to work on back plugs

Originally Posted by miker56

Just a tip for the next spark plug change, take the 2 front dog dones off, put car in Netural, DO NOT START!! and push forward and set E-brake and u will have more room to work on back plugs

This is good information. Someone else posted it too but it was too late. I'll know next time.

Something else though. I don't know where the fuel filter is. That's not a big deal since I can just follow the fuel lines. What I don't know is how it's clipped into the system. My 02 Grand Am had these diabolical clips that I had to access from under the car, and since they were on top, I couldn't see then.

I don't know where the PCV valve is either. I can't say as I've really looked for it yet but a heads up about where and how would probably save me some skin

Edit-Oh, I think I see what you mean about the dog bones. Huh, that would have made it, um, easier. lol.

Originally Posted by Do Rag

This is good information. Someone else posted it too but it was too late. I'll know next time.

Something else though. I don't know where the fuel filter is. That's not a big deal since I can just follow the fuel lines. What I don't know is how it's clipped into the system. My 02 Grand Am had these diabolical clips that I had to access from under the car, and since they were on top, I couldn't see then.

I don't know where the PCV valve is either. I can't say as I've really looked for it yet but a heads up about where and how would probably save me some skin

PCV is on the passenger side of the upper intake manifold, under the wire connector, and as far as i know there is no fuel filter on these, just the one in the tank

Originally Posted by miker56

PCV is on the passenger side of the upper intake manifold, under the wire connector, and as far as i know there is no fuel filter on these, just the one in the tank

I was able to buy a fuel filter for it. Funny looking thing too. Of course that doesn't mean this make and model has one. I'll look for it and see what I come up with.

I have a 99 Neon that I was trying to find the fuel filter on. It was having TPS issues and I wanted to change the filter as a part of my problem solving. You know, start with the cheap and easy and work your way from there. Turned out not to have one. No biggy as long as the car runs fine. I'd think EFI would require some type of filter.

Did u find the PCV?

The u bends are in some, my 07 does not have a u bend

Originally Posted by miker56

Did u find the PCV?

No, not yet. That's what brings me back in here.

I'm not going to flush the coolant even though the overflow bottle looks like it has 3/16" of rusty mud in the bottom. I just don't have time to pull the lower engine cover off and do all that. The rain is having a dampening effect on my motivation as well.

I can't find the overflow for the power steering pump either. It doesn't look like it has one.

The car is back with it's owner now so the tune up is done.
I wasn't able to find the PCV or the PS reservoir, and I didn't look for the fuel filter. The coolant flush will have to wait for another day as well.

I know the PCV valve is there if I had just taken more time to look for it. I'm not so sure about the power steering reservoir though. That appears to be a sealed system.

Here is a side pic of the engine, PS pump is on the back of the engine. http://www.fastfieros.com/enginesava...riesIII_06.jpg
That is a s/c engine but same place

PCV is on the upper intake manifold on left side.
http://www.greatautohelp.com/images/3800-V6-Belt.gif
it is the nob before the alternator

leave the engine cover off and remove the bracket for it.

Your engine will be slightly cooler thanks to it.

Turns out the car has a rough idle now. I noticed it when I was sitting at a light and the car was in drive. The RPM's would fluctuate and the car would vibrate. I have two ideas to explain this.
1. the seafoam in the gas.
2. with the changes in air, injectors, and spark, the computer is taking a little while to adjust. Both will resolve themselves in short order.

Any other ideas?

vacuum leakkkkkkkkkkk

I'm going to have another shot at this car soon so am just freshening up on some of the things to get done. Will update as able.

Um hehe, how the hell do you get the splash guard off the bottom of the engine? I took out all the fasteners that I can see but it doesn't seem to want to come out. Do I have to take the bumper off too? lol. A shop manual would sure be useful.

I plan to change the coolant which is why I'm doing this. My 02 Grand am was nuked by Dexcool so would like to freshen this motor up with some long life Prestone.