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How to get at the spark plugs on the driver side?

37K views 34 replies 19 participants last post by  akmo23 
#1 ·
Hello,

I have an 2001 AWD Astro Van 4.3L and having an issue the P0300. Well I went about and started to change my wires and plugs and the passager side went great. Went to do the drivers side and can't figure out how to get at the plugs or wires.

How in the heck do you get at these.

Thanks
 
#3 ·
I remove the wheel & any plastic inner fender stuff I can to get better access. Then a couple nice extensions and a swivel. OH YA make sure you proper support the Van with the tire off....jack stands...SAFETY FIRST! :chevy:
 
#5 ·
You have the dog house off right??.The driver's side rear plug from the dog house,the middle plug from the wheel well and the front plug from the bottom.Make sure you don't cross thread them and strip the plug hole.I use a rubber hose fitted over the plug to get them started and then ratchet them from there.
 
#7 ·
#8 ·
^Good read! :clap:
I found it easiest with my AWD to go from the driver's side wheel well. Got rip some of the plastic stuff out of your way and get creative with the extensions. Like Gary said use a good spark plug socket with the rubber boot inside.
 
#9 ·
They pretty much covered it, I pull the wheel off too, and use a swivel and extension and git 'er from the gap over the a-arm. I've done it with the wheel on and just jacked up so the suspension's dropped all the way, and put a cover on the tire to keep road grime off me as much as possible, but heck, once yer there, just pull the 5 lugnuts, and use a panel popper and remove the retaining plugs to get the liner outta the way...once you've done it a couple of times, it's easy...the driver's rear plug is the hardest, if you do it first, the rest of the job's a snap :)
 
#11 ·
woodhaven22 said:
Same link as I tried to post, sure cleared up how to get at these. At the end, It wasn't that bad to do! took me about 2 hours on the drivers side taking it very slow.

Thanks for the support - Astro is now happy!!
Great to hear WoodHaven
 
#16 ·
The front and middle plug are easily accessable from the wheel well. Get a 2 ft or longer extension, a flex spark plug socket and a ratchet with a longer handle than is standard, also helps to have a swiveling handle ratchet. Easiest way to get the rear plug is to go under the truck, and reach up to the manifold, remove the plug wire end, and use just the flex socket and ratchet. As mentioned, the old mechanic's trick of using a 6" piece of 3/8" rubber
hose will make installation go so much easier. One last tip, never try to remove spark plugs from a hot engine. Best to wait for the engine to cool to ambient temperature. Also, while there is more space on the passenger side of the doghouse, the same proceedure will work on the right side plugs.
Don't forget to coat the spark plug boots with dielectric silicone grease. I use it on all the high tension wire ends (distributor, plugs, and coil).

Once you've done a few of what may at first seem to be impossible jobs, and learn some of the tricks, then you will come to the realization that, as most of us here who work on these trucks, the thought that went into getting so much stuff into such a small space, and still have room to work, was a real feat of automotive genius.

Keep truck'n

Bob
 
#17 ·
woodhaven22 said:
Same link as I tried to post, sure cleared up how to get at these. At the end, It wasn't that bad to do! took me about 2 hours on the drivers side taking it very slow.

Thanks for the support - Astro is now happy!!
so... what type of plugs did you pull out? what are your new ones?
 
#18 ·
Hey all, I am reviving this thread as it is the only one I have found so far in my one day tenure here with instructions and tips on spark plug replacement.

I have questions about the left side. Can you share any tricks to getting the spark plug wires off and back on? I am not seeing how I may get a grip on number 3 and 5. I think a long screwdriver, long needle nose, or pick would pull the wire off but I think getting the new one set back in there would be a challenge.

The plugs don't seem as difficult as I have plenty of extensions and u-joints to get a socked in on the plug.

PM if easier. Pics might help too.
 
#19 ·
Hey Hockey,

There are pliers made specifically to remove the boot from the spark plug, however, there is barely enough room as it is to work from the wheel well, or even from the underneath of the truck. I find that a long flat blade screw driver, positioned to push the boot from the engine side, and worked carefully does as good a job as anything else I have tried.

If you come up with anything better, let us know.

Good luck

Bob
 
#21 ·
I jack up the front end until the tire starts to move, then reach in through the wheel well. I've got a pair of long reach pliers that I use to pull off the boots. They've never destroyed a boot or wire yet.

Like these, but with the tips from below:
1432.jpg


These tips, above look and reach:
 
#22 ·
Anyone do plugs on a v8 stuffed in a gen 2 van yet? I'm planning on that feat this spring with mine. I'll be sure to do a write up on it with as few cuss words as I can manage :D
 
#23 ·
Those should be about the same, I THINK the difference is they go further to the front of the van( with a v-8) ..that rear driver's plug is the worst one, but once you've done it a few times, it's not so bad. :D
 
#24 ·
i remove the front wheels. then i remove/ or peel the plastic cover back to expose the plugs. they are just plastic push clips. i didn't touch the doghouse. then i used a panel popper to release the plug wires. the rest is simple if you have the proper socket. the hard part is making sure when you install the new plugs that you don't bang them. then you might fight with reinstalling the plug wires. you will want to make sure they click.
 
#25 ·
cowboydan said:
i remove the front wheels. then i remove/ or peel the plastic cover back to expose the plugs. they are just plastic push clips. i didn't touch the doghouse. then i used a panel popper to release the plug wires. the rest is simple if you have the proper socket. the hard part is making sure when you install the new plugs that you don't bang them. then you might fight with reinstalling the plug wires. you will want to make sure they click.
I thought about doing that but went from underneath. Next time that what I Doing. Good post ,Leann said same thing.I gonna buy a set of needle nose like she posted for next trip down that road.All I know is the way I did it was torture.
 
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