When to change spark plugs? Type? How difficult - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BacktoGM · 05-04-2015, 01:40 PM

Hey,
I have 55K on my 2011 2LT V6 RS.
Don't really drive it hard but have been noticing some hesitation in sport mode (not in regular mode)
What are thoughts on replacing the plugs? An estimate from the dealer is $350 to replace.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks

Eddiefuzz · 05-04-2015, 06:47 PM

OMG! 6, $6 spark plugs= $36. They are easy to replace with a spark plug socket and 6 inch extension. Hestitation could be any number of thing though. I've changed mine twice, 77,000 miles on my car now. Your Intake Manifold could be fowled with oily build up, Throttle Body also. I have an ICEOLATOR on my car, and had a vacuum leak, so I replaced the RTV with a second OEM gasket. Good luck with your car.

gafool · 05-05-2015, 08:11 AM

lol yea do it yourself take the recipt to that dealer, drop the mic walk out....like a boss!!!!! lol

Denis · 05-05-2015, 08:56 AM

350?!?! wow...yea I would never.

plugs are cheap and the tools are cheap too. do it yourself, very easy.

ActNup NY · 05-12-2015, 10:39 PM

Any DIY videos on this project available? I just made 70,000 and never changed mine out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BacktoGM · 05-13-2015, 01:54 PM

Awesome thx

BacktoGM · 05-13-2015, 01:55 PM

Yeah my thoughts. Thanks !

Nighthawk89 · 05-14-2015, 10:46 PM

$3 hundo!? Did you break a window or something!? lol

plastrd · 05-18-2015, 09:37 AM

I just changed mine at 90k and total spent was around $70 for 8 NGK iridium plugs and a plug wire kit. Watch for Advance Auto's ridiculous coupons and just do the replacement yourself. The electrodes on 2 or 3 of them were completely gone by that point but the others actually weren't too bad.
Mine went smoothly except the last plug (of course). It came out harder than the rest and when I went to thread in the new one, it kept wanting to cross-thread itself so that was a bit of a panic attack. Quick trip to the parts store for a thread chaser and I managed to get the threads cleaned up and the plug in straight.
Always thread your plugs in by hand and hand only, don't even use the plug socket for better grip as that increases your torque advantage and ability to screw up the threads.

PolynesianPowerhouse · 05-18-2015, 11:42 AM

If ypu drove hard theres no set time to change. In the very least, check em every year and regap if need be.

kville988 · 05-18-2015, 12:36 PM

That's actually what most dealers charge I assume. I called four dealers for a buddy of mine and they all said the same. It's mostly an installation charge. Believe it or not, most dealers have guys that don't really know much about working on these cars. So long as they can read instructions and do an oil change you are hired...in some cases.

In saying that, do it yourself. I installed my own headers which involves taking the spark plug/wires out. That part was super easy. I didn't need any special named tools.

Pull on the wires a tad, they will "pop" out. then take a ratchet and socket and unscrew the spark plugs. Just be careful putting the new ones back in and make sure you put the proper grease on them.

PolynesianPowerhouse · 05-18-2015, 04:38 PM

also this might help some. if you check em yearly to regap, most times you can tell if you have a problem coming or already started.

know how to read your plugs.

http://ngksparkplugs.com/tech_suppor...qs/faqread.asp

BacktoGM · 05-21-2015, 02:38 PM

can you reach the plugs by hand?

MagnumForceGB · 05-21-2015, 02:44 PM

On the V6, no, they are deep in the head due to DOHC. They are also coil-on-plug type.

05-04-2015, 01:40 PM	#1
BacktoGM Drives: 2019 Black SS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 154	When to change spark plugs? Type? How difficult Hey, I have 55K on my 2011 2LT V6 RS. Don't really drive it hard but have been noticing some hesitation in sport mode (not in regular mode) What are thoughts on replacing the plugs? An estimate from the dealer is $350 to replace. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

05-05-2015, 08:56 AM	#4
Denis Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Yorktown Heights, NY Posts: 7,695 View My Garage	350?!?! wow...yea I would never. plugs are cheap and the tools are cheap too. do it yourself, very easy. __________________

05-12-2015, 10:39 PM	#5
ActNup NY Drives: 2011 1LT Black Camaro Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 2,496 View My Garage	Any DIY videos on this project available? I just made 70,000 and never changed mine out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ *The DREAM is free... It's the HUSTLE that is sold seperately*

05-13-2015, 01:55 PM	#7
BacktoGM Drives: 2019 Black SS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 154	Thanks as always Yeah my thoughts. Thanks !

05-18-2015, 11:42 AM	#10
PolynesianPowerhouse Big Samoan ina little car Drives: 2016 camaro Join Date: May 2014 Location: Tofiga Island Posts: 1,872	If ypu drove hard theres no set time to change. In the very least, check em every year and regap if need be. __________________ Don't sit around and watch everyone else live YOUR dreams...DO SUMPT'N When I see posts asking "whats the best intake, exhaust, etc" .... the answer to that is like a grandfather telling his grandkids "if you put salt on a birds tail, it'll let you catch it" #ThinkAboutIt "Winning Tip: Don't take my (or anyone else's) word for it. GO TEST IT!" - Dennis Grant

05-04-2015, 06:47 PM	#2
Eddiefuzz Drives: 2011 RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Florence New Jersey Posts: 1,125	OMG! 6, $6 spark plugs= $36. They are easy to replace with a spark plug socket and 6 inch extension. Hestitation could be any number of thing though. I've changed mine twice, 77,000 miles on my car now. Your Intake Manifold could be fowled with oily build up, Throttle Body also. I have an ICEOLATOR on my car, and had a vacuum leak, so I replaced the RTV with a second OEM gasket. Good luck with your car.

05-05-2015, 08:11 AM	#3
gafool Drives: 2010 1SS CGM Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: georgia Posts: 774 View My Garage	lol yea do it yourself take the recipt to that dealer, drop the mic walk out....like a boss!!!!! lol

05-13-2015, 01:54 PM	#6
BacktoGM Drives: 2019 Black SS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 154	Awesome thx

05-14-2015, 10:46 PM	#8
Nighthawk89 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2Ss M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,013	$3 hundo!? Did you break a window or something!? lol

05-18-2015, 09:37 AM	#9
plastrd Indecisive Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 95 View My Garage	I just changed mine at 90k and total spent was around $70 for 8 NGK iridium plugs and a plug wire kit. Watch for Advance Auto's ridiculous coupons and just do the replacement yourself. The electrodes on 2 or 3 of them were completely gone by that point but the others actually weren't too bad. Mine went smoothly except the last plug (of course). It came out harder than the rest and when I went to thread in the new one, it kept wanting to cross-thread itself so that was a bit of a panic attack. Quick trip to the parts store for a thread chaser and I managed to get the threads cleaned up and the plug in straight. Always thread your plugs in by hand and hand only, don't even use the plug socket for better grip as that increases your torque advantage and ability to screw up the threads.

05-18-2015, 12:36 PM	#11
kville988 Lurking in my SS Drives: '14 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 290	That's actually what most dealers charge I assume. I called four dealers for a buddy of mine and they all said the same. It's mostly an installation charge. Believe it or not, most dealers have guys that don't really know much about working on these cars. So long as they can read instructions and do an oil change you are hired...in some cases. In saying that, do it yourself. I installed my own headers which involves taking the spark plug/wires out. That part was super easy. I didn't need any special named tools. Pull on the wires a tad, they will "pop" out. then take a ratchet and socket and unscrew the spark plugs. Just be careful putting the new ones back in and make sure you put the proper grease on them.

05-18-2015, 04:38 PM	#12
PolynesianPowerhouse Big Samoan ina little car Drives: 2016 camaro Join Date: May 2014 Location: Tofiga Island Posts: 1,872	also this might help some. if you check em yearly to regap, most times you can tell if you have a problem coming or already started. know how to read your plugs. http://ngksparkplugs.com/tech_suppor...qs/faqread.asp __________________ Don't sit around and watch everyone else live YOUR dreams...DO SUMPT'N When I see posts asking "whats the best intake, exhaust, etc" .... the answer to that is like a grandfather telling his grandkids "if you put salt on a birds tail, it'll let you catch it" #ThinkAboutIt "Winning Tip: Don't take my (or anyone else's) word for it. GO TEST IT!" - Dennis Grant

05-21-2015, 02:38 PM	#13
BacktoGM Drives: 2019 Black SS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 154	can you reach the plugs by hand?

05-21-2015, 02:44 PM	#14
MagnumForceGB Drives: Fastest 2010 Camaro V6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 3,571 View My Garage	On the V6, no, they are deep in the head due to DOHC. They are also coil-on-plug type. __________________ Camaro V6 = 11.268 @ 120.11