| benpenjr |
Has anyone replaced their spark plugs? though it would be an easy 1-2 step. boy was I in for a surprise. got the E-3 spark plugs, been sitting in the garage for a month now. the local pep boys wanted $150 just for labor.
Any info would be appreciated. thanks! |
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| dj-mdx2 |
This old thread seems to be the most informative.
I'm in the same boat. My NGK Iridiums have been sitting in the garage for nearly 6 months now. Everytime I've started working on it, things go wrong. Either I don't have time to cool the engine down, did not have the ratchet extension, did not have the hex bolt tool, etc. I've already tested the gaps and I think I have all the tools now. But the MDX is in the shop for minor body/paint upgrades/work. LOL.
I'll get it done one of these weekends. :p |
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| SuperTech |
Don't try to adjust gaps on platinum or irridium plugs. Unless they're smashed closed (in which case you should return them), just put them on a they are right out of the box.
The plugs should be pregapped for the application and most gap tools can damage the platinum contact. |
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| benpenjr |
| Im goin to try the E-3 Spark plugs, heard they are excellent. Need the tools for this, might be just worth it spending $150 for someone else to do it. |
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| SuperTech |
| Not the that factory plugs are really all that cheap...but fancy aftermarket plugs are a waste of money in my book. The factory spec plugs work fine. It either makes a spark and ignites the fuel or it doesn't. Claims of more horespower or better fuel mileage are ridiculous |
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| Ceenit |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
Not the that factory plugs are really all that cheap...but fancy aftermarket plugs are a waste of money in my book. The factory spec plugs work fine. It either makes a spark and ignites the fuel or it doesn't. Claims of more horespower or better fuel mileage are ridiculous
Amen - mfg spec or equivalent work great. Even the low cost ones work great (you just may have to replace a bit sooner as the gap my need more frequent adjustments)
The only time high end plugs give better gas mileage/power is if the ones they were replacing were far past their life span. |
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| Supercharger |
I put in NGK Iridiums last week. Job was a piece of cake...but I'm a very experienced DIY'er with the proper tools. YMMV
Can't remember the exact allen size...I think it was 6mm.
You'll also need a 3/8 torque wrench, 5/8 spark plug socket, two 3inch extensions and a 10mm socket to move the intake valve out of the way. A small tube of anti-seize is also highly recommended(although it appears Honda does not use it on the original plugs).
Having two 3inch extensions is the real secret to making things go smoothly. The spark plug socket witha 6 inch extension is too long to on most cylinders, making it impossible to insert into the head. What I did was drop the socket with a 3inch extension attached down the hole then stick the other extension on...then the ratchet. To remove the plug just reverse the procedure
Work slowly and deliberately. Hand thread each plug in so you know you are not cross threading them, then torque each plug to 13 ft lbs. Good Luck.
As far as buying cheap plugs, no way. The Iridiums will outlast the car. This is the first and LAST time I will ever replace plugs. Thats why they are worth $6.96 each to me. |
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| mdxforever |
Thanks Supercharger. Your notes will be very helpful as this is one of the things I am trying to get done since I got the car.
quote:
Originally posted by Supercharger
Can't remember the exact allen size...I think it was 6mm.
would you mind confirming that ? I am not certain of that too.
quote:
Originally posted by Supercharger
Thats why they are worth $6.96 each to me.
Where did you get them for $6.96 ? |
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| Supercharger |
Just checked, it IS a 6mm allen that holds the coil on.
I got NGK iridiums for 6.96 at Advance auto parts. |
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| benpenjr |
| thanks for all who helped, got the new ones in. Ive gotten better acceleration rates, i have yet to compute the gas milage though. |
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| ductrinh |
In an attempt to narrow down what's tripping the P1078 code, I'm replacing my plugs. (long story)
Anyhow, I opened the engine cover and I see the 3 plugs sitting in front. Do I have to remove anything substantial to get to the other 3 plugs? Thanks. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by ductrinh
In an attempt to narrow down what's tripping the P1078 code, I'm replacing my plugs. (long story)
Anyhow, I opened the engine cover and I see the 3 plugs sitting in front. Do I have to remove anything substantial to get to the other 3 plugs? Thanks.
See the earlier posts and the link I posted above. There are 3 other plugs in the back when you unscrew the throttle mechanism. |
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| tom34diy |
| I noticed that some posts about DIY plug changes talk about unscrewing the throttle mechanism to get to the 3 plugs in the back, but I just did my 03 MDX (108,000 miles) and did not have to remove anything to get to the plugs in the back. Maybe they moved something around on the 03? Anyway, it was a much easier project than I thought. The 3 in the back were really easy to work with once I removed the large plastic cover (just the four small bolts holding it on) on top of the engine. Now my only concern is...what happens if I did not tighten them enough, especially since the manual says if they are not tight enough, there will be overheating and it will ruin the engine? I tightened the plugs pretty tight, but I guess I should do it again with a torque wrench? Anything to be concerned about here? Thanks. Tom |
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| Kev-man |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
This old thread seems to be the most informative.
Well, just hit 105k and want to change my plugs, but this is the only discussion I found and the link above doesn't seem to work.
I'm a semi-skilled DIY-er, so is chaging my own plugs do-able? Don't want to mess anything up, especially after dropping $600 on the timing belt!
Thanks, all. :2: |
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| Kev-man |
quote:
Originally posted by Supercharger
A small tube of anti-seize is also highly recommended(although it appears Honda does not use it on the original plugs).
Having two 3inch extensions is the real secret to making things go smoothly.
Work slowly and deliberately. Hand thread each plug in so you know you are not cross threading them, then torque each plug to 13 ft lbs.
[/B]
Is the 13 ft/lbs what Acura recommends? NGK recommends 18-21.6 for their ZFR5FIX-11 plugs.
NGK actually does recommend to NOT use anti-seize due to the coating they use that's meant to perform the same function.
The two 3" extensions are a stroke of genius, and totally required. |
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