So Fix it

The engine in your General Motors vehicle depends on precision timing and accuracy. The Opti-Spark is an ignition distributor used by GM that employs an optical sensor to trigger the firing of spark plugs. Although they are known for high performance, these devices can have increased susceptibility to wear and tear and may need to be changed more often than other types of distributor caps.

Instructions

1

Check your local GM dealership or authorized mechanic. They will have the part in stock or can order it for you and offer services for installation.

2

Search online for "buy GM optispark." This will give you the widest range of Opti-Spark designs and types from which to choose. Also try auction sites such as eBay or check several of the large companies that make Opti-Sparks for both standard and custom use.

3

Contact the retailer you have chosen and ensure that the part you are buying is correct for your vehicle. You will need to supply the make, model and year of your car.

Changing the spark plugs in your Subaru Outback can greatly improve the fuel economy, the drivability and the overall engine performance. The 1998 Outback is based on the Imprezza platform and was offered with the 2.2-liter H4 engine. The spark plugs are arranged in a 2x2 pattern, or two on each side of the engine. Replace the spark plugs at the intervals recommended in the owners manual, unless you experience a spark plug failure or some other problem with them.

Instructions

1

Locate the battery in the engine compartment of your Outback, then disconnect the negative battery cable end (after loosening the clamp bolt of the cable), using a wrench. Isolate the cable end from the battery to avoid accidentally energizing the ignition system while you are working.

2

Pick one spark plug wire located on the top of the engine and follow it down to the spark plug. Grasp the plug wire boot and while twisting it back and forth, pull it off the plug. Do not pull on the wire itself, or you will risk damaging it beyond repair. Lay the wire aside.

3

Place a spark plug socket over the plug and attach a ratchet to it. Rotate the spark plug counterclockwise until it is free of the cylinder head, then remove it from the engine compartment.

4

Remove the new spark plug from the box, and using a feeler gauge, verify that the plug gap is set to between .039 to .043 by sliding the appropriate blade from the feeler gauge between the electrode and the base of the spark plug. If the plug gap is outside the specified range, adjust it by tapping it closed or open, as needed.

5

Install the new spark plug into the hole in the cylinder head and tighten it by turning it clockwise with the spark plug socket and ratchet until it is snug. Turn it 1/4-turn more, then remove the socket and ratchet.

6

Put a small amount of dielectric grease on the inside of the spark plug wire boot. The grease will repel water, ensuring a good connection, and it will allow the boot to come off the plug easier next time you change the plugs.

7

Move to the next cylinder and repeat the process until you have changed all four plugs. Do not remove more than one plug wire at any time during the process, to avoid mixing up the wires and scrabbling the firing order.

8

Install the negative battery cable end on the battery and tighten the clamp bolt on the cable end. Start the engine to verify that the engine runs as intended.

Spark plugs ignite the fuel mixture in your engines cylinders, without which your engine cannot burn gasoline efficiently. Installing new spark plugs on a Saturn Sky is a straightforward procedure. With a few tools and the right instructions, you can replace your own spark plugs quickly to save yourself a visit to the dealership and some money.

Instructions

1

Park your car on flat, even surface and put on the parking brake. Allow your engine to cool before you remove old spark plugs and install new ones. Be sure to remove and install only one spark plug at a time as the wiring for each spark plug is specific and needs to attached in an exact order to function properly.

2

Pop open the hood and locate your spark plugs. Refer to your Saturn Sky owners manual if you cant find them, if you lost your owners manual see the link in the Resource section.

3

Remove the spark plug wire by pull on the boot and not the wire itself, or you risk damaging the wires.

4

Attach the spark plug socket to the socket wrench (attach a socket wrench swivel and extension if you need added length to reach the spark plug) and remove the spark plug by turning the wrench counter-clockwise. Clean the spark plug hole with rubbing alcohol and a clean rag.

5

Spray anti-seize grease onto the new spark plug and screw it into the spark plug hole by hand. Carefully tighten the new spark plug with the spark plug socket until its snug. Reconnect the spark plug wire. Move on to the next spark plug until you have finished installing all of them.

A spark plug is an electrical device in the ignition of a vehicle that ignites gas by using an electric spark. Spark plugs are made up of an insulated wire and electrode, an ignition coil and a spark gap inside the interior. Spark plugs typically need to be changed every 30,000 to 45,000 miles to keep the ignition running smoothly. These tools will help you replace or repair your spark plug wire.

Lisle Wire Puller

The Lisle Wire Puller removes the spark plug using rubber cushioned jaws to grip and pull. They are adjustable to five positions so you are able to access the spark plug from different angles. The plastic handles help to prevent you from getting shocked by the spark plug.

Lisle Plug Remover

The Lisle Plug Remover removes broken spark plugs using a thread to pull the plug from its head. It comes with a porcelain pusher to press the porcelain in the tip of the plug, preventing the porcelain from breaking.

ACCEL Pliers

The ACCEL pliers make gaps in spark plugs. They are specially aligned to make the outer electrode perpendicular to the center electrode. They are made of a steel frame with a rubber, non-slip handle.

Pro Crimp Spark Plug Wire Tool

The Pro Crimp Spark Plug Wire Tool is a specialty tool made for crimping spark plug wires. It can cut, strip and crimp wire that is up to 8.5 mm in diameter. The frame is made of heavy-duty steel with a soft plastic, non-slip handle for comfort.

Weatherpack Weather Pack Crimper Tool

The Weatherpack Weather Pack Crimper Tool is made for heavy-duty crimping of wires ranging in sizes from 20 to 14 gauge. It has an orientation block, two double cavities and a ratchet mechanism for reliable crimping.

ACCEL Terminal Crimping Jaws

ACCEL Terminal Crimping Jaws are for crimping 7 mm to 8 mm spark plug wires. They are made of steel with a black oxide finish for high pull strength.

Spark plugs ignite the fuel in your engine to create even-burning combustion. Without properly functioning spark plugs, your car cannot burn gasoline efficiently. The only way to repair spark plugs is to replace them. Removing and replacing the spark plugs in your 2002 Ford Taurus is a very straightforward operation. With the right instructions and few tools, you can replace your own spark plugs to save a few bucks and a trip to the dealership.

Instructions

1

Park your car on a level surface and apply the parking brake. Allow your engine to thoroughly cool before you begin to remove and replace the spark plugs.

2

Pop open your 2002 Ford Taurus hood and located the spark plugs. If you cant find the spark plugs, consult your owners manual (if you have lost your manual, see the link in the Resources section).

3

Gently remove the spark plug wire by pulling on the boot and not the wire itself to avoid any damage.

4

Attach a spark plug socket to a socket wrench (attach a swivel or extension if you need any added length to reach the spark plug) and remove the spark plug by turning it counterclockwise. Thoroughly clean the spark plug hole with rubbing alcohol and a clean rag.

5

Apply a thin coat of anti-grease onto the new spark plug. Start the spark plug in the spark plug hole using just your hand. Tighten the spark plug with the spark plug socket until its tight, but be sure not too over tighten. Reconnect the spark plug wire. Remove and replace all the spark plugs one by one until you have finished replacing all damaged spark plugs.

Pontiac offered the 2002 Grand Prix in the SE, GT and GTP models, in both sedan and coupe forms. The engines in the Grand Prix were the 3.1-liter V-6, the 3.8-liter V-6, and the 3.8-liter, supercharged V-6. Removing the spark plug wires on any of these engine combinations is an identical process, though the smaller 3.1-liter affords more room for working under the hood. The tools for completing this project are all available at an auto-parts store and some general retailers.

Instructions

1

Stand facing the front of the engine and remove the far-left, center, and far-right spark plug wires, using a pair of pliers as close to the engine as possible. Pull on each spark plug wire with the pliers until they pop off the spark plug.

2

Stand on the passenger side of the vehicle, facing the engine. Remove the rear spark plug that is closest to you, using a pair of pliers as close to the engine as possible. Go to the drivers side of the vehicle and remove the rear spark plug wire that is closest to you, using pliers as close to the engine as possible.

3

Lift the front end of the Grand Prix using a 2-ton jack or one with greater capacity. Place two jack stands beneath both the left and right lower control arms. You can pull the car onto two vehicle ramps instead of using the jack and jack stands.

4

Lie beneath the front end of the car and slide back until you can see the rear of the engine when you are facing upward. Remove the center-rear spark plug wire by using a pair of pliers, as close to the engine as possible.