Time for the dreaded 16 plug change? Here are a few tips and pictures to get you going... This is not that difficult of a job if you have the right tools and patience.
Notes: This swap should only be performed on a cold engine so plan ahead and do it first thing in the morning or on a weekend. Also make sure to set the gaps on the spark plugs correctly as they are not going to be pre-gapped in the package (OM lists 0.043 in gap). I would also strongly suggest doing the complete engine side at a time as you will save yourself a lot of time in not having to switch tools etc doing it a coil at a time.
Tools and parts required:
- 16 Spark Plugs.
Owners Manual: LZFR5C–11G (Gap 0.043 in [1.09 mm])
Mopar Part Number: SPLZFRC11
- Spark Plug Gap tool
- 3/8 Drive Ratchet
- 3" Long 3/8 Drive Extension
- 3/8 Drive Universal Joint
- 3/8 Drive Torque Wrench
- 5/8 Spark Plug Socket
- 1/4 Drive Ratchet
- 10mm Short socket (1/4 drive)
- 10mm deep socket (1/4 drive)
Here we go...
(1) Remove the engine cover by pulling up firmly at the front edge with both hands and then repeat at the back of the cover.
You will now be looking at the top of the engine and will be able to see the tops of the coil packs down each side of the motor.
(2) Do your best to clean the area around the coil packs to prevent any debris from falling in while changing the plugs. Next unclip each of the 4 wire connectors attached to the coil packs (you can see I have removed the first one in the picture).
(3) Remove the Coil Packs - Start on the passenger side as it is more easily accessed and will get you ready for the more difficult driver side. Using a 1/4" Drive ratchet with a 10mm extension only crack and slightly loosen all 8 of the 10MM Hex bolts show above. Once they have been cracked you should be able to spin them the rest of the way using just your fingers. These bolts do not need to be completely removed in order to take out the coil packs so only loosen them about half way and the coil pack will come free. While removed I kept the coil packs in the correct order so they all went back in the same cyl they came out of. I dont believe this is necissary but did it anyways.
Here is a shot of the first coil pack once removed. The arms are flexible to make them easier to install/remove in the small space:
(3) Once all coil packs have been removed you can now crack all the spark plugs. I found that a 3/8 Drive ratchet with a 3" long extension, then a universal joint, then the spark plug socket was just the right length to be able to get to all 16 plugs without having to change extension configuration. (See first pic) Once they are cracked I found it fastest to remove the ratchet and loosen them the rest of the way by spinning the extension and socket by hand. If you have a good spark plug socket with a magnet you can skip the next step...
(4) I had a crappy spark plug socket with rubber boot that comes out every time so I used a telescoping magnetic tool to grab the old plugs and pull them out from the deep:
*Some people prefer to apply dielectric grease to parts of the plug and wire connection but there was plenty still left on there so I didnt bother. (btw I was quoted $35 for a new tube at the dealer )
(5) Using the spark plug socket insert the newly gapped plugs and thread them in carefully by hand to avoid stripping. Once all 8 plugs are installed finger tight use a torque wrench set at 12-14 ft/lbs to properly snug each of the plugs down. DO NOT EXCEED 14 lbs.
(6) Reinstall each of the 4 coil packs and pressing the stems down onto the plugs. Next go back to your 1/4" ratchet and 10mm socket to tighten all of the 10mm Hex bolts until the coils are snug and secure back in place.
(7) Re-attach each of the 4 wire harness clips
(8) Repeat steps 1-7 for the driver side. It is a little tighter to work with because of the intake hardware etc in the way but overall everything is pretty easy to access and the proceedure is the same as the passenger side.
(9) Reinstall engine cover
(9) Finally I disconnected the negative battery terminal for 5min to reset the ecu/tcu etc. This is also not required but I felt it was worth the minimal effort.
and that's it!... Fire it up and make sure everything is nice and smooth!
Impressions: I'm not going to lie, I was not impressed about having to change 16 plugs after 30k but am glad I did. I had recently been noticing a rougher than normal idle in the morning and at some stop lights but that is completely gone with the install of the new plugs. Also the engine without a doubt feels more responsive and has restored that like new power again.
Save your hard earned $$$ and DIY:thumbsup:
.
Notes: This swap should only be performed on a cold engine so plan ahead and do it first thing in the morning or on a weekend. Also make sure to set the gaps on the spark plugs correctly as they are not going to be pre-gapped in the package (OM lists 0.043 in gap). I would also strongly suggest doing the complete engine side at a time as you will save yourself a lot of time in not having to switch tools etc doing it a coil at a time.
Tools and parts required:
- 16 Spark Plugs.
Owners Manual: LZFR5C–11G (Gap 0.043 in [1.09 mm])
Mopar Part Number: SPLZFRC11
- Spark Plug Gap tool
- 3/8 Drive Ratchet
- 3" Long 3/8 Drive Extension
- 3/8 Drive Universal Joint
- 3/8 Drive Torque Wrench
- 5/8 Spark Plug Socket
- 1/4 Drive Ratchet
- 10mm Short socket (1/4 drive)
- 10mm deep socket (1/4 drive)
Here we go...
(1) Remove the engine cover by pulling up firmly at the front edge with both hands and then repeat at the back of the cover.
You will now be looking at the top of the engine and will be able to see the tops of the coil packs down each side of the motor.
(2) Do your best to clean the area around the coil packs to prevent any debris from falling in while changing the plugs. Next unclip each of the 4 wire connectors attached to the coil packs (you can see I have removed the first one in the picture).
(3) Remove the Coil Packs - Start on the passenger side as it is more easily accessed and will get you ready for the more difficult driver side. Using a 1/4" Drive ratchet with a 10mm extension only crack and slightly loosen all 8 of the 10MM Hex bolts show above. Once they have been cracked you should be able to spin them the rest of the way using just your fingers. These bolts do not need to be completely removed in order to take out the coil packs so only loosen them about half way and the coil pack will come free. While removed I kept the coil packs in the correct order so they all went back in the same cyl they came out of. I dont believe this is necissary but did it anyways.
Here is a shot of the first coil pack once removed. The arms are flexible to make them easier to install/remove in the small space:
(3) Once all coil packs have been removed you can now crack all the spark plugs. I found that a 3/8 Drive ratchet with a 3" long extension, then a universal joint, then the spark plug socket was just the right length to be able to get to all 16 plugs without having to change extension configuration. (See first pic) Once they are cracked I found it fastest to remove the ratchet and loosen them the rest of the way by spinning the extension and socket by hand. If you have a good spark plug socket with a magnet you can skip the next step...
(4) I had a crappy spark plug socket with rubber boot that comes out every time so I used a telescoping magnetic tool to grab the old plugs and pull them out from the deep:
*Some people prefer to apply dielectric grease to parts of the plug and wire connection but there was plenty still left on there so I didnt bother. (btw I was quoted $35 for a new tube at the dealer )
(5) Using the spark plug socket insert the newly gapped plugs and thread them in carefully by hand to avoid stripping. Once all 8 plugs are installed finger tight use a torque wrench set at 12-14 ft/lbs to properly snug each of the plugs down. DO NOT EXCEED 14 lbs.
(6) Reinstall each of the 4 coil packs and pressing the stems down onto the plugs. Next go back to your 1/4" ratchet and 10mm socket to tighten all of the 10mm Hex bolts until the coils are snug and secure back in place.
(7) Re-attach each of the 4 wire harness clips
(8) Repeat steps 1-7 for the driver side. It is a little tighter to work with because of the intake hardware etc in the way but overall everything is pretty easy to access and the proceedure is the same as the passenger side.
(9) Reinstall engine cover
(9) Finally I disconnected the negative battery terminal for 5min to reset the ecu/tcu etc. This is also not required but I felt it was worth the minimal effort.
and that's it!... Fire it up and make sure everything is nice and smooth!
Impressions: I'm not going to lie, I was not impressed about having to change 16 plugs after 30k but am glad I did. I had recently been noticing a rougher than normal idle in the morning and at some stop lights but that is completely gone with the install of the new plugs. Also the engine without a doubt feels more responsive and has restored that like new power again.
Save your hard earned $$$ and DIY:thumbsup:
.