#3 Sparkplug Help
#21
10-11-2007, 11:50 PM
RE: #3 Sparkplug Help
i agree this is the best forum out there and the # 3 plug is that person serious about taking the steering shaft apart i have another suggestion not to beat a dead horse anymore but what i did now if its different on 4x4's someone let me know but i took the three bolts off that hold the steering box to the frame connected to the steering shaft dropped that down within two seconds and had no problems getting to it but then again what are we here for when someone like that says what they say. i love this forum and everyone that is here for one another and not out to insult those who have the experiences and knowledge to help out others. (kicked soap box over)[>:]
#22
10-12-2007, 04:18 AM
RE: #3 Sparkplug Help
I think I'm gonna go snag me a whobble extension and change my rusty plugs...
(and no, it's not the outside of the plugs I'm talking about! lol)
edit: and the bloody thing is STILL stuck in there, lol.
got 4 of the 6 plugs out (gonna wait until I get #3 out before I get the last one...)
then found out, that the plug gap tool that we have at the house, doesn't go up to 0.060... it stops at 0.045
(and no, it's not the outside of the plugs I'm talking about! lol)
edit: and the bloody thing is STILL stuck in there, lol.
got 4 of the 6 plugs out (gonna wait until I get #3 out before I get the last one...)
then found out, that the plug gap tool that we have at the house, doesn't go up to 0.060... it stops at 0.045
#23
10-15-2007, 11:25 AM
RE: #3 Sparkplug Help
Alright,this is getting ridiculous and it's starting to bring out the Trolls.All I wanted wasto solve a problem, avoiding duplicate posting of information(i.e. forum conservation) and add to Blazer Forum that wasn't there(steering column removal).I'monly as curt and rude aspeople were to me, as the postings prove.I have no problem with what I have said nor what other people have said.It's just forum postingsand everyone sounds rude. My advice for forums: Ignore tones and stick to the facts.Otherwise: Iwill say that I have used Blazer Forum extensively up to this point, found the existing knowledgevery helpfull and respect all the people who added to the BF knowledge base by posting. The "...debt of grattitude...: comments was not sarcastic, it was sincere.
Alright, back to business. 2002 4x4 4.3L(NJ)#3 sparkplug update =Solved
Feedback:
1.) Wobble extention set{1/4'+2x3/8'+1/2' $10 Advance Auto Parts}: Unsuccessful,not enoughclearance to get into sparkplug socket. Tried for 30 minutes, every angle. Neat set though, looks handy. Didn't have a1/4' or 1/2' extension before either, bonus. I really wanted this to work, I truly did. I'll admit, I thought a "wobble" extension was the same as U-joint extension at first and was very excited to learn it was something else that might quickly solve my problem but I regret thatI could not get itto work in my vehicle.NOTE:Couldn't find a3/8 non-sparkplug socket shorted than what I had, either.
2.) 19mm fixed wrench {$10 Advance Auto Parts} on end of 3/8' sparkplug socket: Unsuccessful. Could get wrench onthe socket(using the enclosed end that is offsetabout10 degrees)itwouldn't clear the header to allow you to break the sparkplug out.
3.) Moving steering shaft: Successfull. Had to remove the airbox.Steering shaft unbolt, simply slides backwards and really opens things up. Only took 15 minutes. Still went through the wheel well for theplug, though.
Conclusion: Even though it was easy, I really didn't like messing with the steering. I'm not experienced enough so Ican't encourage anyone else to do it.I thinka cheapie 19mm wrench from Harbor Freight(hopefully less than $10!)hacked down toclear the header + a 3/8 sparkplug sockmight have done the trick without having to mess with steering.
BTW, anyone know whatthe "official" GM Tech guidelines are for getting #3 out are? Special tools? Steering shaft? Magic?
Alright, back to business. 2002 4x4 4.3L(NJ)#3 sparkplug update =Solved
Feedback:
1.) Wobble extention set{1/4'+2x3/8'+1/2' $10 Advance Auto Parts}: Unsuccessful,not enoughclearance to get into sparkplug socket. Tried for 30 minutes, every angle. Neat set though, looks handy. Didn't have a1/4' or 1/2' extension before either, bonus. I really wanted this to work, I truly did. I'll admit, I thought a "wobble" extension was the same as U-joint extension at first and was very excited to learn it was something else that might quickly solve my problem but I regret thatI could not get itto work in my vehicle.NOTE:Couldn't find a3/8 non-sparkplug socket shorted than what I had, either.
2.) 19mm fixed wrench {$10 Advance Auto Parts} on end of 3/8' sparkplug socket: Unsuccessful. Could get wrench onthe socket(using the enclosed end that is offsetabout10 degrees)itwouldn't clear the header to allow you to break the sparkplug out.
3.) Moving steering shaft: Successfull. Had to remove the airbox.Steering shaft unbolt, simply slides backwards and really opens things up. Only took 15 minutes. Still went through the wheel well for theplug, though.
Conclusion: Even though it was easy, I really didn't like messing with the steering. I'm not experienced enough so Ican't encourage anyone else to do it.I thinka cheapie 19mm wrench from Harbor Freight(hopefully less than $10!)hacked down toclear the header + a 3/8 sparkplug sockmight have done the trick without having to mess with steering.
BTW, anyone know whatthe "official" GM Tech guidelines are for getting #3 out are? Special tools? Steering shaft? Magic?
#24
10-15-2007, 12:16 PM
RE: #3 Sparkplug Help
I just changed the plugs for the first time last weekend on my 1995. First off don't believe the 100k mile crapola. Change them before then!
That number 3 was such a PITA I eventually just hand tightened it until it was in as tight as I could possibly turn it. I broke 3 plugs by trying to tighten them with a wrench. Turned the steering wheel every which way but I couldn't get the socket onto the plug correctly. Getting it out was not a problem though.
That number 3 was such a PITA I eventually just hand tightened it until it was in as tight as I could possibly turn it. I broke 3 plugs by trying to tighten them with a wrench. Turned the steering wheel every which way but I couldn't get the socket onto the plug correctly. Getting it out was not a problem though.
#25
10-15-2007, 04:59 PM
RE: #3 Sparkplug Help
Goat6500,
First of all I just reread ALL the posts on this subject, and to be honest the attitude started WITH YOU! We were just trying to help. Sorry if we COULDN'tT give you the answer you were looking for. Why couldn't you get the answer you needed? It's very simple,.........NOT ONCE DID YOU MENTION HEADERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go back and read all of the post, (in your own words; PROVE ME WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Here is a nickels worth of free advice, If you need help feel free to ask; If someone asks you a question, just answer it( no matter how redundent or insugnificant it may seem) If you don't get the answer you are looking for here,..... then take it to a shop and pay some one to fix it for you. Now the biggest one when you describe a problem to some one that can't stand right next to your vehicle make sure you include ANYTHING & EVERYTHING that might even remotely describe what you are working on and what the problem is.
All this could have been avoided( this is an example how you could have posted your question)
# 3 spark plug help,
I have a 2002 (Chevrolet? GMC? s-10? s15?,......something you didn't mention.) LT 4x4 with a ( have to guess here,...4.3l V-6,.....could have been a 4 cyl for all we know) with ( insert brand name here) HEADERS (THE REALLY BIG THING YOU FAILED TO MENTION!!!!!!) Does anyone have any ideas as to how to change the # 3 spark plug. Do I have to disconnect the steering shaft, if so what is involved ? Etc. Etc.
Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
If anything I've said here upsets you,.........I DON'T CARE! We tried to help and you copped an attitude ( some people would B---- if tried to hang em with a new rope)
Think about it this way; If you called your doctor on the phone and asked him about a pain in the neck, would you be upset if he missed the blood clot in your brain (caused by the same auto accident,......that you didn't tell him about!)
THINK ABOUT IT!
NO NEED TO REPLY!
First of all I just reread ALL the posts on this subject, and to be honest the attitude started WITH YOU! We were just trying to help. Sorry if we COULDN'tT give you the answer you were looking for. Why couldn't you get the answer you needed? It's very simple,.........NOT ONCE DID YOU MENTION HEADERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go back and read all of the post, (in your own words; PROVE ME WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Here is a nickels worth of free advice, If you need help feel free to ask; If someone asks you a question, just answer it( no matter how redundent or insugnificant it may seem) If you don't get the answer you are looking for here,..... then take it to a shop and pay some one to fix it for you. Now the biggest one when you describe a problem to some one that can't stand right next to your vehicle make sure you include ANYTHING & EVERYTHING that might even remotely describe what you are working on and what the problem is.
All this could have been avoided( this is an example how you could have posted your question)
# 3 spark plug help,
I have a 2002 (Chevrolet? GMC? s-10? s15?,......something you didn't mention.) LT 4x4 with a ( have to guess here,...4.3l V-6,.....could have been a 4 cyl for all we know) with ( insert brand name here) HEADERS (THE REALLY BIG THING YOU FAILED TO MENTION!!!!!!) Does anyone have any ideas as to how to change the # 3 spark plug. Do I have to disconnect the steering shaft, if so what is involved ? Etc. Etc.
Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
If anything I've said here upsets you,.........I DON'T CARE! We tried to help and you copped an attitude ( some people would B---- if tried to hang em with a new rope)
Think about it this way; If you called your doctor on the phone and asked him about a pain in the neck, would you be upset if he missed the blood clot in your brain (caused by the same auto accident,......that you didn't tell him about!)
THINK ABOUT IT!
NO NEED TO REPLY!
#26
10-15-2007, 07:36 PM
RE: #3 Sparkplug Help
ORIGINAL: goat6500
Alright,this is getting ridiculous and it's starting to bring out the Trolls.All I wanted wasto solve a problem, avoiding duplicate posting of information(i.e. forum conservation) and add to Blazer Forum that wasn't there(steering column removal).I'monly as curt and rude aspeople were to me, as the postings prove.I have no problem with what I have said nor what other people have said.It's just forum postingsand everyone sounds rude. My advice for forums: Ignore tones and stick to the facts.Otherwise: Iwill say that I have used Blazer Forum extensively up to this point, found the existing knowledgevery helpfull and respect all the people who added to the BF knowledge base by posting. The "...debt of grattitude...: comments was not sarcastic, it was sincere.
Alright, back to business. 2002 4x4 4.3L(NJ)#3 sparkplug update =Solved
Feedback:
1.) Wobble extention set{1/4'+2x3/8'+1/2' $10 Advance Auto Parts}: Unsuccessful,not enoughclearance to get into sparkplug socket. Tried for 30 minutes, every angle. Neat set though, looks handy. Didn't have a1/4' or 1/2' extension before either, bonus. I really wanted this to work, I truly did. I'll admit, I thought a "wobble" extension was the same as U-joint extension at first and was very excited to learn it was something else that might quickly solve my problem but I regret thatI could not get itto work in my vehicle.NOTE:Couldn't find a3/8 non-sparkplug socket shorted than what I had, either.
2.) 19mm fixed wrench {$10 Advance Auto Parts} on end of 3/8' sparkplug socket: Unsuccessful. Could get wrench onthe socket(using the enclosed end that is offsetabout10 degrees)itwouldn't clear the header to allow you to break the sparkplug out.
3.) Moving steering shaft: Successfull. Had to remove the airbox.Steering shaft unbolt, simply slides backwards and really opens things up. Only took 15 minutes. Still went through the wheel well for theplug, though.
Conclusion: Even though it was easy, I really didn't like messing with the steering. I'm not experienced enough so Ican't encourage anyone else to do it.I thinka cheapie 19mm wrench from Harbor Freight(hopefully less than $10!)hacked down toclear the header + a 3/8 sparkplug sockmight have done the trick without having to mess with steering.
BTW, anyone know whatthe "official" GM Tech guidelines are for getting #3 out are? Special tools? Steering shaft? Magic?
Alright,this is getting ridiculous and it's starting to bring out the Trolls.All I wanted wasto solve a problem, avoiding duplicate posting of information(i.e. forum conservation) and add to Blazer Forum that wasn't there(steering column removal).I'monly as curt and rude aspeople were to me, as the postings prove.I have no problem with what I have said nor what other people have said.It's just forum postingsand everyone sounds rude. My advice for forums: Ignore tones and stick to the facts.Otherwise: Iwill say that I have used Blazer Forum extensively up to this point, found the existing knowledgevery helpfull and respect all the people who added to the BF knowledge base by posting. The "...debt of grattitude...: comments was not sarcastic, it was sincere.
Alright, back to business. 2002 4x4 4.3L(NJ)#3 sparkplug update =Solved
Feedback:
1.) Wobble extention set{1/4'+2x3/8'+1/2' $10 Advance Auto Parts}: Unsuccessful,not enoughclearance to get into sparkplug socket. Tried for 30 minutes, every angle. Neat set though, looks handy. Didn't have a1/4' or 1/2' extension before either, bonus. I really wanted this to work, I truly did. I'll admit, I thought a "wobble" extension was the same as U-joint extension at first and was very excited to learn it was something else that might quickly solve my problem but I regret thatI could not get itto work in my vehicle.NOTE:Couldn't find a3/8 non-sparkplug socket shorted than what I had, either.
2.) 19mm fixed wrench {$10 Advance Auto Parts} on end of 3/8' sparkplug socket: Unsuccessful. Could get wrench onthe socket(using the enclosed end that is offsetabout10 degrees)itwouldn't clear the header to allow you to break the sparkplug out.
3.) Moving steering shaft: Successfull. Had to remove the airbox.Steering shaft unbolt, simply slides backwards and really opens things up. Only took 15 minutes. Still went through the wheel well for theplug, though.
Conclusion: Even though it was easy, I really didn't like messing with the steering. I'm not experienced enough so Ican't encourage anyone else to do it.I thinka cheapie 19mm wrench from Harbor Freight(hopefully less than $10!)hacked down toclear the header + a 3/8 sparkplug sockmight have done the trick without having to mess with steering.
BTW, anyone know whatthe "official" GM Tech guidelines are for getting #3 out are? Special tools? Steering shaft? Magic?
I ended up trimming off a little bit of the orange boot and using a 1/4" breaker bar to break it loose, then I used a pipe bending spring to take it out the rest of the way... Then I took the rubber out of the spark plug socket and went deeper on the plug, and gave me a bit more room, and tightened it up.
Also, for the record... It's been stated many many times that from 98 and up all V6's are all 4.3's and all s-series engine bays are the same...
If it wasn't, swart would either have TOLD you it was different, or not responded to help you, because his experience would've been different...
#27
10-15-2007, 09:55 PM
RE: #3 Sparkplug Help
ok...I think it's time to give up the bashing on this post...stop trying to beat a dead horse...seems either an extension...or the steering colum thing work equaly as well for the people that use them...the original point to this point was a detailed description of how to take apart the steering colum..it wasn't asked exactly that way...so everyone just calm down...and let it go...
#29
10-21-2007, 10:20 PM
RE: #3 Sparkplug Help
I don't understand the "Headers" question? Headers weren't a problemuntil I bought the 19mm wrench(along with the wobble gears). As soon as I did, I posted the results. It would have been chronologically impossible to post this any sooner than when I did. I hope this clears this issueup.
The GM fact sheet notes "engine & steering enhancements" for 2000 and 2001. I don't know if they make #3 more difficult but that info isn't posted here and I didn't expect it to be. All I know is thatall the othermethods from the forums I tried weren't workingso the next step was to get detail on the steering column method or feedback from someone with an '02 like mine.That's not dumb. I didn't see the need to put a general"Help with #3" request.There'sabout 100postsregarding #3 solutions, there's a lot of repeats and apparently it's a touchy subject.This was a request for specific info that's not there and I needed.That's also not dumb.
I don't think anyone else on here is dumb, either. I think some people believeI have not searched the forums adequatelyor thatI generally dissrepsect their opinions on Blazers repair.This is simply not the case, but I don't fault them for being confused. I'd prefer to see people happy instead of upset but that's all the more I can offer. I hope it's the end of it, too.
The GM fact sheet notes "engine & steering enhancements" for 2000 and 2001. I don't know if they make #3 more difficult but that info isn't posted here and I didn't expect it to be. All I know is thatall the othermethods from the forums I tried weren't workingso the next step was to get detail on the steering column method or feedback from someone with an '02 like mine.That's not dumb. I didn't see the need to put a general"Help with #3" request.There'sabout 100postsregarding #3 solutions, there's a lot of repeats and apparently it's a touchy subject.This was a request for specific info that's not there and I needed.That's also not dumb.
I don't think anyone else on here is dumb, either. I think some people believeI have not searched the forums adequatelyor thatI generally dissrepsect their opinions on Blazers repair.This is simply not the case, but I don't fault them for being confused. I'd prefer to see people happy instead of upset but that's all the more I can offer. I hope it's the end of it, too.
#30
10-21-2007, 10:23 PM
RE: #3 Sparkplug Help
Now, I think we've documented some valuable technical and feedback info regarding #3 so if you've come across this in a forum seach, the previous two pages will definitely be worth a look-through.
P.S. Again, if someone knows what the GM Tech "proscribed method" is for changing #3, it would be worth posting here. Based on the quote I got from a shop, it sounds like they allot about 2.0 Labor Hours for changing all 6 sparkplugs.
P.S. Again, if someone knows what the GM Tech "proscribed method" is for changing #3, it would be worth posting here. Based on the quote I got from a shop, it sounds like they allot about 2.0 Labor Hours for changing all 6 sparkplugs.
