spark plugs/wires?

Question

wondering if spark plugs are just screwed in till tight or if there is a gauge or something that you have to use

also if i need spark plug wires is something easily done to a car retard or am i better off paying the hrly rate @ pep boys??

97 ford taurus..

they did not say the spark plugs where loose
they said they just needed to b replaced
they said the wires should be replaced because they where original...

as far as spark plugs how do i know if i need new ones what does the car do if the plugs are going bad??

thanks again

Answer 1

Spark plug wires press on. They can be damaged unless you use care. Depends on what kind of car you have as to how easy or hard it is to replace the wires, some engines have wires that run behind the engine and they are hard to reach.
If you do change the wires, replace on at a time, so you don't get them wrong.

Spark plugs do just screw in, some are hard to reach, and others are easy. Don't over tighten them.

Answer 2

Just screw the spark plugs in, tight, but don't go nuts on it. You need to check the gap on the new plugs with a feeler gauge, and perhaps adjust them by bending the electrode. The thing for doing that should be part of your feeler gauge thing. Replacing wires is simple, but do them one at a time so you don't get mixed up.

Back when I was working on cars, the spark plug gap for cars made after 1975 was always 45 thousandths of an inch, but that was about 15 years ago. I think you can get the correct gap from your owner's manual.

Answer 3

Spark plugs DO have a specific torque but very few people go by it. VERY SNUG is the key word. When they tighten up they tighten up quickly. A word of caution. The ceramic tower on the plugs are VERY fragile. Make sure you hold the spark plug wrench upright on the plug. Don't let it lean over. To do so will break the ceramic tower. Most plug gaps are pre-set by the manufactor, but you might ought to check to make sure. This requires a "feeler gage".

The plug wires. The best was to do this is to lay the NEW plug wires out so you can see the various lengths IF they are different lengths.

Then do this and DO NOT fail to do this!!! Take ONE wire off at a time. ONE WIRE OFF AT A TIME AND INSTALL THE NEW ONE. Then do the second one and so forth. IF you take them all off, and NOT one at a time, you will have BIG trouble on your hands. Remember ONE wire at a time!!!! You can do it with ease. Good luck. Pops

Answer 4

From your questions, i think you had better take the car to Pep Boys, and save a lot of time and trouble!
You will need socket wrenches, a ratchet, several extensions, a wire puller, and experience!
For the wires--thats a job where you can get into trouble very quickly. And, resetting the wires in their proper holes, and getting them onto the correct spark plugs can be mind boggling, if you don't know the way they go. That is--which wire goes to which plug?! Changing one at a time can be done, if very carefully.

Answer 5

spark plugs just need to be tightened down to a gentle force about a 1/2 inch after snug and for wires just make sure you do one wire at a time and make sure the wire you took off is the same length and that they are not tight against any hot parts as your exhaust.there is no gage only a spark plug gap gage that you can use to check and set your gap although most plugs are pre gaped.you will find that gaping is used more precisly in motor cyles and small equipment and more on 2stroke machines as well.

Answer 6

you should be able to do this yourself. there is a gauge for the spark plugs, you'll need to look at your owner's manual to find out what the need to be set to. you can buy the gauge at autozone or checker's wherever you buy the parts from. some plugs do come pre-set for you but you have to ask. your owner's manual should give you all the instruction you need to do this. be careful though, something as minor as a spark plugs being wrong will cause your car to not run correctly

Answer 7

they say that you do need to tighten spark plugs with a certain amount of torque, but most people dont do that..... i wouldnt worry about it too much.....

as far as spark plug wires, those are very easy to install, just check the internet. im sure you can do it yourself

Answer 8

changing plugs requires a wrench
plug wires do not
depending on the car, location of the plugs, electronic ignition module you may need a professional to do the work

Answer 9

i own a repair shop,and this time around i think you,d be better off paying to get it done,but after this if you,ll get a repair manual on your car from advance auto parts you can read it,and learn a lot about how to repair your car,and maybe next time you can do it your self,but this time id just pay to get it done,you can actually do it more harm than good just b trying to repair it,without the right tools,and the proper amount of knowledge on it,good luck i hope this help,s.

Answer 10

Don't over tighten the spark plugs... you don't want those things to crack or break on you. That's going to suck.