LFX Spark plugs, who's done it??
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Not sure if its the same with the LFX as the older models but the older models you have to support the engine from the bottom with a block of wood and a jack or the top with a cherry picker and remove the dog bones before rocking the engine forward to get to the back plugs, Again not sure about the 3.6.
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I does not look fun >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P7iHyZHnls
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The car in the video is a 3.5l, not a 3.6l. Not sure if the 3.6l is any easier though!
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Plugs?
I bought the plugs, I am going to buy a new set of wires before I put in the plugs. I also bought a really long spark plug socket that has a magnet in it. It is supposed to be good for getting the plugs in the back of an Impala 3.5. Or at least I hope so! The videos I watched look like it's not too terrible to get to those back plugs. I may give it a try in a month or so. Only have 63,000 on the car.
I bought the plugs, I am going to buy a new set of wires before I put in the plugs. I also bought a really long spark plug socket that has a magnet in it. It is supposed to be good for getting the plugs in the back of an Impala 3.5. Or at least I hope so! The videos I watched look like it's not too terrible to get to those back plugs. I may give it a try in a month or so. Only have 63,000 on the car.
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To get to the back plugs your going to have to remove the intake or at least loosen the bolts, cylinder #1 doesn't need the intake removed as you can sneak the coil out but cylinders #3 and #5 coils will hit the intake and won't come out 
Removing the intake honestly isn't that hard at all, it's 8 bolts and you also have to remove the bolts from the power steering reservoir too. Other then that it's just the vacuum hoses. It would be best to pick up new intake gaskets from the dealer too along with the torque specs as there's a pattern to follow rebolting the intake together, the gaskets are cheap too.
You'll get to see how clean your intake valves are too doing this, good luck.
Removing the intake honestly isn't that hard at all, it's 8 bolts and you also have to remove the bolts from the power steering reservoir too. Other then that it's just the vacuum hoses. It would be best to pick up new intake gaskets from the dealer too along with the torque specs as there's a pattern to follow rebolting the intake together, the gaskets are cheap too.
You'll get to see how clean your intake valves are too doing this, good luck.
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Thanks a good one!
Watched many videos and there are some different methods of getting to the rear plugs, but anyone who tears the engine apart to get to the rear plugs is either joking or making a joke or doesn't know what he is doing.
Watched many videos and there are some different methods of getting to the rear plugs, but anyone who tears the engine apart to get to the rear plugs is either joking or making a joke or doesn't know what he is doing.
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I did my 3.9, and just pulled the coil and metal plat off the back of the engine, didn't have any issues once that was done. I had plenty of space to work, and I needed it since I don't think the plugs were changed in a very long time since they had a coat of rust on the metal.
I changed the plugs on my 3.5 and all I had to do was remove the coil and I didn't have any problems with it. I didn't have to remove any other parts or anything but the angle to get to them is awkward but you can get to the plugs. It also helps if you have smaller hands.
I also had looked up some videos on youtube and they all suggested removing the engine mounts and pulling the engine forward with a ratchet strap or something and let me tell you, that is an inefficient way of changing them since the coil comes off fairly easily
I also had looked up some videos on youtube and they all suggested removing the engine mounts and pulling the engine forward with a ratchet strap or something and let me tell you, that is an inefficient way of changing them since the coil comes off fairly easily
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The ratcheting the motor forward worked great when I had my 2001. Not so much on my 2008. The metal plate is 2 nuts and 2 bolts, only takes a minute or two to remove them, I just let it hang by the wires. Makes it so you can see what you are doing down there.
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181 Posts
Chrislind2, kd7ctv and tehhax- I hope you all know the original poster was asking about the LFX or the 3.6L DOHC found in all 2012+ impala, not the 3.5L and 3.9L. The push rod engines are simple to do a tune up on. You don't even need the W-body ratchet either though it does make life easier lol
The LFX is a little different though, the plastic intake is molded to cover over the rear bank and makes it impossible for you to clear out the cylinder #3 and #5 coil packs, you can snake out cylinder #1 coil pack though.
I guess the laugh is on you Chislind2 for not being able to read the post correctly, I do this for a living/work at a professional shop.
The LFX is a little different though, the plastic intake is molded to cover over the rear bank and makes it impossible for you to clear out the cylinder #3 and #5 coil packs, you can snake out cylinder #1 coil pack though.
I guess the laugh is on you Chislind2 for not being able to read the post correctly, I do this for a living/work at a professional shop.
Yep and the factory service manual says to remove the manifold also.
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Sorry fatrabbit
I was assuming things and that gets people in trouble. It's amazing how different the years and models can be. Being an old timer we used to work on cars that mainly only varied between manufacturers and an individual company rarely made changes that amounted to much unless they came out with a new model. I apologize for insinuating you did not know what you were talking about.
I was assuming things and that gets people in trouble. It's amazing how different the years and models can be. Being an old timer we used to work on cars that mainly only varied between manufacturers and an individual company rarely made changes that amounted to much unless they came out with a new model. I apologize for insinuating you did not know what you were talking about.
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chrislind2- it's all good, no hard feelings lol
I miss 3.5/3.9 platform, for the most part pretty much everything on that motor is easy to get too and replace. The newer LFX engine is a tall/wide motor and it makes things more challenging to get too, when you change out the spark plugs your going to want to order the gasket set #126459 and that will come with the gasket for the spacer/intake gaskets/throttle body gasket. I paid $19.02 but that was with my discount, list price is $21.13.
I miss 3.5/3.9 platform, for the most part pretty much everything on that motor is easy to get too and replace. The newer LFX engine is a tall/wide motor and it makes things more challenging to get too, when you change out the spark plugs your going to want to order the gasket set #126459 and that will come with the gasket for the spacer/intake gaskets/throttle body gasket. I paid $19.02 but that was with my discount, list price is $21.13.
I can't believe you have to do all of this to change the rear spark plugs.Another jewel in the crown for GM engineering.Its like the plastic shroud over the top of the engine.To remove it you have to take off the oil filler cap so junk can fall down in it as you take it off.The shroud fits over other removeable caps but not the one for oil.Oh,and I am referring to the 3.6L engine starting in 2012.
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