It's job security, so maybe you won't want to do it and will take it to the dealer and pay them...lol
LFX Spark plugs, who's done it??
I was looking at the back ones and I hope that the intake doesn't need to come off to replace them....
What have you guys seen out there? The fronts are so easy and accessible they could be done by a kid!
What have you guys seen out there? The fronts are so easy and accessible they could be done by a kid!
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There's not room though, I already went though this with my 2012 Impala 4 months ago...
There's no way to pull out the coils without removing the intake, you can get the cylinder #1 coil out but you won't be able to snake out cylinder coils #3 and #5. The coils are long and go deep into the cylinder head, you have to pull them straight up to even be able to wiggle them out and that's why the intake must come off.
You also have to be mindful that the coils have a spring that reaches the spark plug and the last thing you want to risk is damaging the spring, it's much less of a headache to just remove the intake. It's 8 bolts right up top and and if I recall 3 quick connect hoses, it won't kill you lol
There's no way to pull out the coils without removing the intake, you can get the cylinder #1 coil out but you won't be able to snake out cylinder coils #3 and #5. The coils are long and go deep into the cylinder head, you have to pull them straight up to even be able to wiggle them out and that's why the intake must come off.
You also have to be mindful that the coils have a spring that reaches the spark plug and the last thing you want to risk is damaging the spring, it's much less of a headache to just remove the intake. It's 8 bolts right up top and and if I recall 3 quick connect hoses, it won't kill you lol
Well if you going to take the intake out anyway clean the valve
Thanks for the replies gents.
The 3.5L and 3.9L w/ 4spd are complete and utter jokes compared to the LFX and 6spd transmission...trust me, I've had all three (2006, 2009, 2013). With E85, a K&N intake, Vmaxx spiral TB, and Magnaflow CB, my 0-60 is < 6 secs. A bigger joke than those two? The 3.4L turd in my old 2004.
Back to the plugs, taking the intake off won't be a problem, but finding torque sequence will cost me because you have to get a service manual. Haynes and all those guys only go up to 2011. I wouldn't mind taking it off, I actually want to so I can see what is going on there. I assume this is an air only intake and doesn't have liquid ports..
And thanks for the pictures, because that is what I was seeing with my eye. If you never have changed plugs on a DOHC engine, you would understand like fatrabbit said. They go very deep into the head.
The 3.5L and 3.9L w/ 4spd are complete and utter jokes compared to the LFX and 6spd transmission...trust me, I've had all three (2006, 2009, 2013). With E85, a K&N intake, Vmaxx spiral TB, and Magnaflow CB, my 0-60 is < 6 secs. A bigger joke than those two? The 3.4L turd in my old 2004.
Back to the plugs, taking the intake off won't be a problem, but finding torque sequence will cost me because you have to get a service manual. Haynes and all those guys only go up to 2011. I wouldn't mind taking it off, I actually want to so I can see what is going on there. I assume this is an air only intake and doesn't have liquid ports..
And thanks for the pictures, because that is what I was seeing with my eye. If you never have changed plugs on a DOHC engine, you would understand like fatrabbit said. They go very deep into the head.
According to alldata which is the same as the factory service manual, torque spec for the intake bolts are 25Nm or 18 Ft/Lbs. No more excuses 
If you don't want to spend $200 for the printed factory manuals, alldatadiy.com has the same info on a subscription basis. I got a code for 2 years access for less than 15 bucks. Id be happy to give it to anyone that pms me. Best money on your car you'll ever spend for the diy'ers.
If you don't want to spend $200 for the printed factory manuals, alldatadiy.com has the same info on a subscription basis. I got a code for 2 years access for less than 15 bucks. Id be happy to give it to anyone that pms me. Best money on your car you'll ever spend for the diy'ers.
Just wanted to clear up some confusion about my last post. I've gotten some PM's asking for my own subscription to AllData. That wasn't what I was offering. I'm offering a coupon code for your own subscription for 2 years access for less than 15 bucks, which is an awesome deal and a must-have if you do your own work on your car! Thanks.
Ryan
Ryan
I hate to muck up this thread with questions but, Instead of paying the shop damn near $400 to do plugs and wires, I'd love to be able to do it myself and save a bunch of money. So on the older 3.5s(2007) I DONT need to pull the engine forward? I should be able to get to the plugs without moving the engine forward?
Thats correct, I just did my 2010 Impala with the 3.5 and I only had to remove that plastic cover on top and you have to remove the coil block on the rear pass side by the alternator. There is 4 10mm bolts holding that on. take the plug wires off the coil block and disconnect the wire harness to it. ( wires and coil block are numbered so it wont get messed up ) If not make sure you label them.
You dont need a universal either,
You dont need a universal either,
Great man, thanks for the info. I will be knocking this out this weekend.Thats correct, I just did my 2010 Impala with the 3.5 and I only had to remove that plastic cover on top and you have to remove the coil block on the rear pass side by the alternator. There is 4 10mm bolts holding that on. take the plug wires off the coil block and disconnect the wire harness to it. ( wires and coil block are numbered so it wont get messed up ) If not make sure you label them.
You dont need a universal either,
I've done 2 spark plug changes on my 2013 ltz lfx and you do not need to pull the intake. unplug the coil rotate the coil pack and there ya go. 6 plugs should take 25 mins flat. Don't use the spark plug socket with the rubber it just causes headaches. I used the appropriate size socket and a piece of paper towel wedged in place to install the plugs back in with ease. Best of luck
And don't waste your time with e3's for this motor ..ran like crap and started fartin at idle.
And don't waste your time with e3's for this motor ..ran like crap and started fartin at idle.
Damn - you changed 100k mile spark plugs in a 2013 *twice* already?!?! How many miles? Why so often?I've done 2 spark plug changes on my 2013 ltz lfx and you do not need to pull the intake.
I myself am very curious as to how you did this. Not saying I don't believe you; I really want to. The pictures posted earlier in this thread show how it's almost an impossibility to remove the 3 rear coil packs without having to remove the upper intake manifold, so if you can provide more details (and maybe more pics), that would be very, very helpful! I myself would like to get this done, so it would be awesome if you could provide some more detail.I've done 2 spark plug changes on my 2013 ltz lfx and you do not need to pull the intake. unplug the coil rotate the coil pack and there ya go. 6 plugs should take 25 mins flat. Don't use the spark plug socket with the rubber it just causes headaches. I used the appropriate size socket and a piece of paper towel wedged in place to install the plugs back in with ease. Best of luck
And don't waste your time with e3's for this motor ..ran like crap and started fartin at idle.
Thanks!
To be fair, pretty much any OHC engine from any manufacturer has the same impossible to change spark plug position. Definitely isn't just a GM thing.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.
Reason for doing it twice was I wanted to try to see if I felt a difference and plug swaps are wasy to do on this motor.Used the e3 plugs in my brothers 69 impala and it loved them..the 2013 not so much. After about a week I swapped them back out for the ac delcos.
I'll make a YouTube video real quick it's that simple give me a hour.I myself am very curious as to how you did this. Not saying I don't believe you; I really want to. The pictures posted earlier in this thread show how it's almost an impossibility to remove the 3 rear coil packs without having to remove the upper intake manifold, so if you can provide more details (and maybe more pics), that would be very, very helpful! I myself would like to get this done, so it would be awesome if you could provide some more detail.I've done 2 spark plug changes on my 2013 ltz lfx and you do not need to pull the intake. unplug the coil rotate the coil pack and there ya go. 6 plugs should take 25 mins flat. Don't use the spark plug socket with the rubber it just causes headaches. I used the appropriate size socket and a piece of paper towel wedged in place to install the plugs back in with ease. Best of luck
And don't waste your time with e3's for this motor ..ran like crap and started fartin at idle.
Thanks!
I'll make a YouTube video real quick it's that simple give me a hour.I myself am very curious as to how you did this. Not saying I don't believe you; I really want to. The pictures posted earlier in this thread show how it's almost an impossibility to remove the 3 rear coil packs without having to remove the upper intake manifold, so if you can provide more details (and maybe more pics), that would be very, very helpful! I myself would like to get this done, so it would be awesome if you could provide some more detail.I've done 2 spark plug changes on my 2013 ltz lfx and you do not need to pull the intake. unplug the coil rotate the coil pack and there ya go. 6 plugs should take 25 mins flat. Don't use the spark plug socket with the rubber it just causes headaches. I used the appropriate size socket and a piece of paper towel wedged in place to install the plugs back in with ease. Best of luck
And don't waste your time with e3's for this motor ..ran like crap and started fartin at idle.
Thanks!
https://youtu.be/SoL-Cw_neTk
Here's a quick video displaying the technique. In the process of moving all my tools are still at my parents so I couldn't actually do the rear but displayed what is needed to so to
accomplish it.
Just replaced all 6 on a 12 impala this morning following the advice of the video and it took 45 minutes. Only reason it took that long was because had issues in the cold with the white plastic clips. The back 3 were not an issue, turn the coil pack with the boot a quarter turn and the boot slides right past the intake. Any shop charging parts and labor to replace a gasket for plug replacement on this car should be ashamed.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.
Thank you to the poster of the video, saved me some money and time!
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