ChrisAdams
08-01-2010, 11:05 AM
I just replaced the plugs and wires on my 2002 LS and I wanted to post for anyone thinking about it. I read a lot of info that didn't seem to apply on the web, so I hope this helps someone if they hit it.
Malibu 2002 LS 3.1
This car has 55k miles on it as of this morning.
Last year when the previous owner replaced the intake gaskets (had them replaced by a shop) they replaced the plugs but not the wires. I assume to save money they replaced them with Champion copper plugs.
To address a few odd statements I have read, no, they didn't miss, they didn't pop check lights and they passed smog "with flying colors" according to the smog place.
However, when I replaced these plugs with less than five thousand miles on them, the power increase was noticeable. Now the car can burn rubber on takeoff, wheels straight, hot weather, high altitude. Hit the pedal and both tires smoke. Before it would just take off.
I used the correct A/C Iridium plugs (6.99 a plug).
Not a brand snob, but on this car the correct plugs really made a difference.
The wires were OEM and I replaced them with Bosch wires. I don't think the wires were really bad, but 55k and 8 years is a lot of wear on the conductors. It's not like when wires had copper inside. Now they wear out.
On changing the plugs, the front are easy, but the backs were also no big deal.
Number 1, under the alternator, was hardest, of course.
A short 3 inch extension with a non swivel 5/8 spark plug socket worked best. I have every kind of ratchet, socket, extension and swivel you could imagine ,but truthfully they are not needed on this vehicle. A wobble sparkplug socket was used on all the other plugs, just because it is easier to use.
MOST IMPORTANT tool was a small mirror to SEE the plugs and the holes. Once I got a look at them, easy to do.
You will burn the heck out of yourself if the car is hot.
As well, you may strip the aluminum, so make sure the car is fully cold.
I used a plug started (a Mac) but a short piece of rubber hose on the end of the plugs will work nicely.
It allows you to gently start the plug without being able to shove your fingers in the hole, and without using a socket and extension which will let you strip out the threads easily.
I did need a magnet on a stick to get the number one plug out. It fell out of the socket and went sideways behind the shield. If your rubber insert on your socket is stronger than the one on the SK socket I used, you may not drop it.
Be sure you lace the wires carefully in the looms. the looms unlock from the end without the little loop. If you look at them you will see what I mean. Without the looms the wires will burn through really quick. Make sure the wires do not touch metal anywhere after you install them. Or they will burn through eventually.
Use dielectric on the boots, both ends. I wipe it in with a Q-tip.
Don't forget to put anti-seize on the plugs. They can ruin the head if you don't when they are removed.
Keep the white insulator part of the plug grease free. That's car grease, anti-seize, or finger oil. Plugs fail early when you don't keep them bare of oil. The oil soaks through the ceramic, and shortens the plug life.
Anyway, an easy enough job on the Malibu.
Malibu 2002 LS 3.1
This car has 55k miles on it as of this morning.
Last year when the previous owner replaced the intake gaskets (had them replaced by a shop) they replaced the plugs but not the wires. I assume to save money they replaced them with Champion copper plugs.
To address a few odd statements I have read, no, they didn't miss, they didn't pop check lights and they passed smog "with flying colors" according to the smog place.
However, when I replaced these plugs with less than five thousand miles on them, the power increase was noticeable. Now the car can burn rubber on takeoff, wheels straight, hot weather, high altitude. Hit the pedal and both tires smoke. Before it would just take off.
I used the correct A/C Iridium plugs (6.99 a plug).
Not a brand snob, but on this car the correct plugs really made a difference.
The wires were OEM and I replaced them with Bosch wires. I don't think the wires were really bad, but 55k and 8 years is a lot of wear on the conductors. It's not like when wires had copper inside. Now they wear out.
On changing the plugs, the front are easy, but the backs were also no big deal.
Number 1, under the alternator, was hardest, of course.
A short 3 inch extension with a non swivel 5/8 spark plug socket worked best. I have every kind of ratchet, socket, extension and swivel you could imagine ,but truthfully they are not needed on this vehicle. A wobble sparkplug socket was used on all the other plugs, just because it is easier to use.
MOST IMPORTANT tool was a small mirror to SEE the plugs and the holes. Once I got a look at them, easy to do.
You will burn the heck out of yourself if the car is hot.
As well, you may strip the aluminum, so make sure the car is fully cold.
I used a plug started (a Mac) but a short piece of rubber hose on the end of the plugs will work nicely.
It allows you to gently start the plug without being able to shove your fingers in the hole, and without using a socket and extension which will let you strip out the threads easily.
I did need a magnet on a stick to get the number one plug out. It fell out of the socket and went sideways behind the shield. If your rubber insert on your socket is stronger than the one on the SK socket I used, you may not drop it.
Be sure you lace the wires carefully in the looms. the looms unlock from the end without the little loop. If you look at them you will see what I mean. Without the looms the wires will burn through really quick. Make sure the wires do not touch metal anywhere after you install them. Or they will burn through eventually.
Use dielectric on the boots, both ends. I wipe it in with a Q-tip.
Don't forget to put anti-seize on the plugs. They can ruin the head if you don't when they are removed.
Keep the white insulator part of the plug grease free. That's car grease, anti-seize, or finger oil. Plugs fail early when you don't keep them bare of oil. The oil soaks through the ceramic, and shortens the plug life.
Anyway, an easy enough job on the Malibu.