Trinidoc

I read up a few threads here and on scoobymods to see how to change the spark plugs. The general concensus was that it's a PITA but can be finished in about one hour.

4 hours later, many swear words and a few pounds lost in sweat I finished.

On reflection, with experience, it probably could be done in about an hour with no hiccoughs. My problem I think was crap tools. I have one of the cheapest socket wrenches out there and really if I had one which could hinge out to give a wider swing arc I'd have been smooth sailing. It also doesn't help that I didn't realise you had to rotate the coil packs 180 degrees to get them out of that insanely narrow space.

Anyway, I managed to save face and finish on my own and the car starts. My next project is a four pot front brake caliper ugrade with stainless steel brake lines which I am happy to let my mechanic sort out.

Elmy

Tell me about it. I still haven't changed mine after a little try as I come to realise I don't have the correct tools.

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Forester S-Turbo SF 2.0L 1999 AT.

Dan

There was a thread where someone described an easier way to get them out. I think he loosened up a couple motor mounts and jacked up the motor a touch on one side, and this allowed him to get a socket on the coil pack bolts.

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SHIFT_to_Subaru
'04 XT, 5spd

Elmy

Does it say how to find the new spark plugs that I bought several months ago.
I can't find them anymore

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Forester S-Turbo SF 2.0L 1999 AT.

Trinidoc

That seems excessive. I'm sure the Subaru engineers never intended for that? I'm going to start a search for new tools now as I really think that a better socket wrench and spark plug socket (maybe a longer or a swivel one) will help.

Anyone can suggest what works best?

kiev88cm

I did my first spark plug change on my N/A Forester about a month ago and found that removing the air cleaner box helps on the passenger side , but my biggest fight was getting the boots off the old plugs. The things I learned were : To have a couple of short extentions on hand to "build" the length I needed rather that a single long one .I have added some craftsman and Proto swivels and extentions to my toolkit that I picked up for next to nothing at yard sales and flea markets. Apply silicone boot grease to the new plugs , and apply anti-seize to the plug threads.

PeterV

Have to agree with Kiev, small extentions do help. anti-seize is the biggest thing to help Its all done by feel. I guess persistance and perhaps smaller hands.

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'00 forester, 3 TDI's, '96 CTD,Classic '65 'cuda

ddavidv

Huh, just did this to ours and had no real problems. Are the newer/turbo cars that different? I removed all the snorkus crap from the RH side of the bay and the washer reservoir from the LH side and had good access. I think I only needed one swivel.

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'02 L m/t. Insurance adjuster 4 U.

Dan

I found the thread: XT Spark Plugs = 20 minute job

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SHIFT_to_Subaru
'04 XT, 5spd

GarageXTi

the DOHC spark plugs are in a much more precarious spot than the SOHC ones.

It's really all about the tools. My technique is to take an old extension and cut it- not only make it the exact right length, but also so that the spring-loaded ball no longer grabs the ratchet and pulls the socket out when you try and disengage it.

It's better have a system where you can easily disengage the ratchet from the socket/extension, since there's not enough room to remove all of those pieces together.

any way you slice it, the Subaru DOHC motors make some normally mundane engine procedures a bit of a task.

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Yeah that's right monkey...play my head.

zee lee

A ... "want to learn" question

What is the purpose of the silicone grease and anti-seize?

I changed change the plugs two weeks ago, and did not know about this ...

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2003 Forester X

guroove

The anti-seize allows you to remove the spark plugs the next time the need to be changed.

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2005 Obsidian Black Pearl XT w/4eat

neoshi

Hotness + adjoining metals = seized parts = ARGG!!

If you change them about once a year, I found that it doesn't tend to be as bad. The older, the worse. I got my last set off no problem and there was no anti-seize used... that or they were torqued wrong...

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Ninja Turtle Orange Juice

kiev88cm

The silicone grease goese on the spark plug boots to help them come off easier the next time and it doesen't degrade the rubber.

adc

There is a lot of disagreement on the use of anti-sieze. It probably helps in removal but its not a magic bullet. Some brands of plugs caution against using antisieze as the threads already have a built in lube.

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Be careful what you wish for.