Spark plugs...easy to change for someone who knows nothing about cars?

gom0626 · 05-17-2010, 03:17 PM

Dealership wants to charge me $160 to replace my spark plugs. I am confident I can do this myself after seeing a couple of posts in the forum about it. I just need to know specifically where and how to approach getting to the plugs in my 2006 2.4L. Thanks in advance!

SmootHHR · 05-17-2010, 03:43 PM

First off...Welcome to the site!

Check this thread to see how to remove the airbox. Pretty easy and has pics to show what to do.
http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10757

Once you get that off, the plug wires are fully accessible and right on top of the motor. Grab the boots (one at a time!) and pull straight up. Should hear a bit of a "pop" when the boot unseats from the top of the plug. Get a spark plug socket and an extension bar. Crank it out.

When putting it back in, put the new (gapped...they'll be able to tell you the correct gap distance when you purchase the plugs) plug back into the socket to lower it down the hole. Carefully and slowly tighten the plug by hand...do not use the ratchet at this time. This helps to prevent cross threading. Once you cannot turn it any more by hand, use the ratchet to spin it an additional .25-.5 turn. Finish each plug completely so not to mix plug wires. Put everything back together and you're done!

Snoopy · 05-17-2010, 05:02 PM

Hey "smooth" have you looked at OR changed plugs in your car??? I think you may be providing some "inadequate" advise to this newbie.

To the Original Poster....

Do remove the air filter box as suggested. But after this, you will notice the engine has a coil-on-plug design. You will need to CAREFULLY remove each of the 4 coils (one at a time, if you wish) before gaining access to the plugs (2 bolts hold down each one). Notice I specified CAREFULLY. I'm told, the coils are a bit delicate and if cracked or broken will obviously need replacement.....at an additional expense.

You do know the plugs are rated at 100,000 miles, right?

JoeR · 05-17-2010, 05:44 PM

Hey, Snoopy! Two questions for you:

1. Where did they hide the 2nd bolt on ea. coil pack?

2. I want to change my points and distributor cap. Can't find 'em. Can you tell me where they are?

Seriously, folks, Snoopy is spot on except the 2nd bolt.

SmootHHR · 05-17-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoopy

Hey "smooth" have you looked at OR changed plugs in your car??? I think you may be providing some "inadequate" advise to this newbie.

To the Original Poster....

Do remove the air filter box as suggested. But after this, you will notice the engine has a coil-on-plug design. You will need to CAREFULLY remove each of the 4 coils (one at a time, if you wish) before gaining access to the plugs (2 bolts hold down each one). Notice I specified CAREFULLY. I'm told, the coils are a bit delicate and if cracked or broken will obviously need replacement.....at an additional expense.

You do know the plugs are rated at 100,000 miles, right?

What's wrong with my advice? No, I haven't replaced the plugs in my HHR..haven't had the need yet. Besides not mentioning removal of the bolts holding in the wire, what is lacking? Nothing else changes. I'm sure he'd have figured that part out on his own. My apologies OP

gom0626 · 05-17-2010, 06:27 PM

No need for apologies. Yes, I would have figured to remove the bolts, and I will be very careful removing the coils. The car has roughly 125,000 miles on it, so replacing the spark plugs is way overdue. Thanks for the responses.

Snoopy · 05-17-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeR

Hey, Snoopy! Two questions for you:

1. Where did they hide the 2nd bolt on ea. coil pack?

2. I want to change my points and distributor cap. Can't find 'em. Can you tell me where they are?

Seriously, folks, Snoopy is spot on except the 2nd bolt.

Opps, ya got me Joe.

You are absolutely correct (as always).... only 1 bolt to each coil.

Points, points, ???? are you speaking of those "things" you get, when you do "honey do's" ?? and a distributor cap???? do the vendors here give hats with a purchase? Trivia for ya, Joe. The last year and vehicle that had both?

jay loukakis · 05-17-2010, 06:45 PM

I bought set of at Pep Boys Delco factory orginals at $7.00 each, an easy change out, enjoy your HHR,

briand · 08-02-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoopy

...But after this, you will notice the engine has a coil-on-plug design. You will need to CAREFULLY remove each of the 4 coils (one at a time, if you wish) before gaining access to the plugs (2 bolts hold down each one). Notice I specified CAREFULLY. I'm told, the coils are a bit delicate and if cracked or broken will obviously need replacement.....at an additional expense...

Based on this information, there is no distributor cap. Coil-on-plug eliminates the need for a distributor cap.

Old Lar · 08-02-2010, 03:20 PM

The only thing I found was the need for an extention on the socket to get down to the plugs. Using a magnet to lift the plug out of the "hole" was helpful..

05-17-2010, 03:43 PM	#2
SmootHHR Senior Member Join Date: 01-21-2010 Location: The Middie OHIO Member #: 18842 Posts: 1,720 Images: 126	First off...Welcome to the site! Check this thread to see how to remove the airbox. Pretty easy and has pics to show what to do. http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10757 Once you get that off, the plug wires are fully accessible and right on top of the motor. Grab the boots (one at a time!) and pull straight up. Should hear a bit of a "pop" when the boot unseats from the top of the plug. Get a spark plug socket and an extension bar. Crank it out. When putting it back in, put the new (gapped...they'll be able to tell you the correct gap distance when you purchase the plugs) plug back into the socket to lower it down the hole. Carefully and slowly tighten the plug by hand...do not use the ratchet at this time. This helps to prevent cross threading. Once you cannot turn it any more by hand, use the ratchet to spin it an additional .25-.5 turn. Finish each plug completely so not to mix plug wires. Put everything back together and you're done! __________________ 2006 1LT, Daytona Blue, 5spd Built 8/4/2005

05-17-2010, 05:02 PM	#3
Snoopy Platinum Member Join Date: 05-09-2006 Location: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona Member #: 950 Posts: 5,926	Hey "smooth" have you looked at OR changed plugs in your car??? I think you may be providing some "inadequate" advise to this newbie. To the Original Poster.... Do remove the air filter box as suggested. But after this, you will notice the engine has a coil-on-plug design. You will need to CAREFULLY remove each of the 4 coils (one at a time, if you wish) before gaining access to the plugs (2 bolts hold down each one). Notice I specified CAREFULLY. I'm told, the coils are a bit delicate and if cracked or broken will obviously need replacement.....at an additional expense. You do know the plugs are rated at 100,000 miles, right? __________________ DO NOT fool with Old Men--- They didn't get old by being, STUPID

05-17-2010, 05:44 PM	#4
JoeR Platinum Member Join Date: 10-02-2005 Location: VA Member #: 108 Posts: 1,320 Images: 19	Hey, Snoopy! Two questions for you: 1. Where did they hide the 2nd bolt on ea. coil pack? 2. I want to change my points and distributor cap. Can't find 'em. Can you tell me where they are? Seriously, folks, Snoopy is spot on except the 2nd bolt. __________________ Good engineering is simply finding the right wrench to pound in the correct screw.

05-17-2010, 06:27 PM	#6
gom0626 New Member Join Date: 04-21-2006 Location: Charles Town, WV Member #: 826 Posts: 13	No need for apologies. Yes, I would have figured to remove the bolts, and I will be very careful removing the coils. The car has roughly 125,000 miles on it, so replacing the spark plugs is way overdue. Thanks for the responses. __________________ Black auto 2LT, 2.4 engine, gray leather interior, roof rails, running boards, spoiler, fully upgraded stereo package

05-17-2010, 06:45 PM	#8
jay loukakis Premium Member Join Date: 10-21-2008 Location: hemet, calif. Member #: 9561 Posts: 1,639 Images: 88	spark plugs I bought set of at Pep Boys Delco factory orginals at $7.00 each, an easy change out, enjoy your HHR,

08-02-2010, 03:20 PM	#10
Old Lar Senior Member Join Date: 09-11-2007 Location: Palm Bay, Florida Member #: 4311 Posts: 1,189 Images: 16	The only thing I found was the need for an extention on the socket to get down to the plugs. Using a magnet to lift the plug out of the "hole" was helpful..

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