new plug wires, #6 how?

[bluebsh]

Well car was due for new wires... its almost 70k miles and the old Original to the car wires were getting brittle.

I got #1 thru #5 changed, 2 and 4 were a huge pain in the butt, they did NOT want to come off, #4 was so bad the boot broke apart trying to remove it, then the plug wire broke off and the connector metal piece stayed on the plug ugh...

but those are done... dielectric greased and all as needed...


but #6.. wow, the exhaust O2 sensor is right there, how in the world do you get the plug wires off it without breaking the O2 sensor? Even rocking the engine there is virtually no room when the plugs don't want to move.

Is there an easy way to pull the o2 sensor so it's not in the way from above? I can feel a hex fitting around it but not sure how you remove it since there is a heat shield around the area also... or is there an easier way to get #6 changed?

 

[Bronco Boy]

#6 fought me, but I got it with some wire pliers, some cursing and swearing, and a refresher course on contortionism. LOL

 

[bluebsh]

#6 fought me, but I got it with some wire pliers, some cursing and swearing, and a refresher course on contortionism. LOL

did you rock your engine forward? O2 sensor wasn't in the way for you? Gawd I feel like something attacked me after pulling the other two back plugs all the banging things, hitting metal... laying over the engine... etc

the front plugs I just turned the heat shield and plug boot half a turn and pulled and popped right off... back ones it was like someone super glued them on

 

[Bronco Boy]

did you rock your engine forward?

Yes.

O2 sensor wasn't in the way for you?

It was there and in the way, but I got the wire off. Try rotating the boot, or a small hook to try and break it free from the plug.

I am a big boy with big hands and a big belly, so if I can do it, anybody can. :th_biggrin2:

 

[99GT2dr]

Twist the hell out of the spark plug boot until you feel it pop, then it should be easy to pull off. Lot easier said than done, of course.

 

[EHB]

ummm remove the O2 sensor with an O2 socket ...they sell them at autozone

 

[chrsmi1]

ummm remove the O2 sensor with an O2 socket ...they sell them at autozone

Yeah... NO.
Just put your big boy pants on, Twist and pull at the same time, and it'll come off. Don't take unnecessary stuff off to change plugs. You'll get it eventually, we've all been there.

 

[EHB]

it takes 20 seconds to pop the O2 sensor out of the way. plus at 70k it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and put a new one in while he's there.

 

[xcwilli11]

Its was easier for me to just remove the sensor and do it

 

[J57ltr]

Twist the hell out of the spark plug boot until you feel it pop, then it should be easy to pull off. Lot easier said than done, of course.

+1 just twist it until it pops loose even if it takes 2 hands. I lay a moving blanket so I can lay over the top and get at it with both hands. When you install the new ones the dielectric grease will keep them from sticking next time. I haven't had a need to rock the engine forward.

Jeff

 

[Impala131]

I just hop on top of the motor, usually have my knees on the dogbones and just reach back there from above. Much easier at that angle if a boot is stubborn.

 

[BillBoost37]

If the plug wires are that difficult... I hope you are changing the plugs as well.