So its been a long time, possibly years since I've been on this forum. This past week I turned 100 k on the odometer and figured it was time to face what I really didn't want to mess with due to all the horror stories ......spark plugs.
I anticipated breaking several plugs given the age and mileage so I went ahead and picked up champion plugs and the extractor tool ($110 @ NAPA). Auto parts store was going to allow me to return the tool if it wasn't needed.
Long story short I was able to remove all 8 plugs without any breaking. I did follow the tsb which worked well although my engine was warm since I had just finished changing the oil. I started on driver side which were very easy compared to the passenger side. The engine was no where near as warm by the time I started on the passenger side so not sure if engine temp had anything to do with it. The rear 2 on the passenger side were absolutely the toughest to remove.... I thought those were going to break for sure.

Car is bone stock.....for the last 50k (ran CAI and o/r pipe for the first 50k or so)

 

nice I keep putting it off. Those look to be in pretty good shape for 100k

 

I have done mine 5 times in 6 years but I see electrode wear on the Autolite 5143's so I feel its warranted. Never had a worry about broken plugs like those stock GT ones, thank God! You should feel quite the improvement, are you staying with stock plugs?

 

welcome back(stats show your last post was 06!) and thanks for sharing.
I *just* hit 50k on my 06, been putting it off also, good to hear theres a chance of removal at 100k. was the blackest looking plug the tightest one?

interesting that the motor was warm, as tsbs were originlly warm, then not iirc...i'll definitely remember that, as this appears to be a 'most sought after outcome' to say the least

 

Champion 7989..... definitely feel the difference with new plugs

 

Honestly I can't remember if that was toughest plug....I just know that the last 2 passenger side plugs were pretty stubborn..... just don't know if that was due to carbon or engine temp. By that time engine was pretty cooled down.

 

I followed the TSB with PB blaster to break the carbon down on my 06 with 65,000 miles. All 8 plugs came out without an issue, just take your time and use a TW set to the proper setting per the TSB.

 

Nice!

Yes, what Pinn said!!

 

Interesting how one cylinder has a bit more carbon. If an injector was failing I would think it would show lean not rich - so would that imply a coil is getting weak and not burning as hot as the others?