Stubborn Spark Plug Wires

Vinman · 10-05-2007, 07:49 PM

I know I'm reposting this, but I figure more people may see it in a new post....Today I decided to change my plugs and wires...the O.E Ac delco plugs and carquest wires...I'm not looking for performance now..just a tune up...anyway.. I have the the plugs and wires changed on cylinders 2, 4 and 6..those were cake as soo many of you said..now I'm on to doing the ones on the backside and The boots don't want to release from the spark plug. I've tried taking pliers and twisting them, but i just don't have the leverage to do so...I've done plugs and wires before (not on an alero)and they were never this much of a P.I.T.A. The car has about 95.5K on it.. Unfortunetly, I can't continue work now as it is dark out, I'm by myself and I have no garage or any kind of fixed lighting. Guess I'll have to finish it tomorrow....Thanks All....

jackal2000 · 10-05-2007, 08:13 PM

when i replaced my wires i ended up ripping one of the back ones off at the boot so i feel your pain. it was a while ago but i think i ended up using a pair of pliers on the boot.

alerored04 · 10-05-2007, 09:48 PM

vice grips work well.

Ryan from Ohio · 10-05-2007, 10:41 PM

They make special pliers. I got a set from Harbor Freight for $3....

Put Diaelectric grease on them so you dont have the issue again!

10-05-2007, 11:30 PM

are your coilpacks and ignition module removed? if not do that its easy, 4 bolts, and 3 sensors unplug. Then you have huge access to the rear plug wires, i used one of those spark plug boot pullers from advance auto

Redog · 10-06-2007, 03:50 AM

^^ Not really neccassary, I just look to take apart as little as possible.

It's tight, but I did it. My mech did the back 3 only because the mech's old assn stripped the number 1 and 3 plug holes. number 3 has a heli coil in it now (I think that's what it's called). 1 was retappable.

The wires were effed too so I swapped them in the driveway. PITA but doable.

CiscoPath · 10-06-2007, 03:58 AM

^^Never changed my own plugs but replaced the wires with Taylors. 2 and 6 went on fine, but no matter how I tried to align 4, it never would fit snug. Ever so often, the SES light pops on but nothing else

Vinman · 10-08-2007, 07:18 PM

well i finished the plugs and wires yesterday...It took waaaaayyy longer than i really wanted it to, I probably would have been done on saturday but it was pouring out when i went to finish it...I wound up separating two of the wires from their boots, the boot for cylinder 3 i think (the one furthest to the drivers side) kept coming apart in small chunks until it got a good grip with the needle nose and was able to pull...after having to literally climb ontop of my motor to get the leverage...and the ironic thing is...the plug under the alternator was way easier than the other two..and no i didn't remove anything..ie..coil pack or alternator or anything else. After all of this, I have finally noticed better fuel mileage..Thanks gang for the advice...I wish it didn't take so long...

Vinman · 10-24-2007, 07:24 AM

It's been a couple of weeks since I've done my p&w's is it common to notice a power loss with the increase in fuel mileage? I used to be able to punch it at a stop light and squeal a little tire on the dray unpainted pavement, but now when I get on it, it just hooks up, and in another post I've done, my trac control isn't working due to possible wheel bearing(s). Note: the plugs I took out didn't look too bad other than them bieng old, I don't think anyone ever changed the ones on the rear bank (that would explain why they were such a pita)

cavaliers60 · 10-24-2007, 12:54 PM

I had issues with those in the back also.... I ended up pulling the wire off and left the rest of the plug still plugged in to the spark plug.... Took me an hour to get all of them off... Make sure you put the spark plugs in right..... One of mine was off a little and my piston would misfire.

Vinman · 10-24-2007, 06:46 PM

I'm not having a misfire or anything like that.. she runs great just has a lack of power..Its probably the wires...they are only carquest brand. I put some di-electric grease that came with the plugs ( i think thats what came with it, not how its spelled though) so when I do go with the perf. wires it should be that big of a pain.. crawling on top of the motor was not comfortable... those darn numbers hurt the old knees.