#3 plug ok to leave?
 

Ok I changed my plugs the other day and the plug wear wasnt that bad the only plugged I didn't want to struggle with was the #3. Is it ok to leave the delco that was in there that should be like the others I removedand only shows some wear or should I really try to get that out and replace it with the Bosch Platnium Plus that the others have now?

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

Id try to get it out. I got a spare sp socket, and cut about 1/4" off the end. Took 15 min to change it after I did that.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

I just hope you don't have to remove the Bosch plugs to replace them with AC Delco like some others have had to do because they learned that the Bosch plugs were causing problems. ;)

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

Yah hopefully they will be fine I saw other places that said they were fine. It may be due to the larger gap in the Bravad. My Bravada has a .060 instead of the .045 ive seen for the blazers and s10s. I dont plan on having it too much longer anyway its getting old so they should last that long.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

The newer trucks should all be 0.060 not just your bravada. And yeah... I wouldn't use Bosch plugs if they were giving them away like candy at a parade.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

I did .050 as per the NGK rep. .010 smaller gap will help with the torque apparently. Seems to be good for me.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

I would remove all old plugs regardless of what wear it may have on it. Different plugs will effect the rate of spark no matter how simliar they may seem. Your Delco plug will not fire at the exact same right as the Bosh's. If you leave it in there with new plugs then you may run into a failure rate quicker than normal. If your having problem with the number 3 plug becuase of the angle then remove the tire from that side and you can easily access it through the hole where that rubber pad comes down to prevent wheel well sludge from hitting the engine. Just lift that up and you should be good to go. I did that on both sides of my Blazer and it was a hell of a lot easier to access the plugs. Hope this helps.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

#3 is the one behind the steering shaft, ive tried a wobble it wouldn't fit due to steering shaft, tried a closed end ratchet wrench and plug socket wouldn't fit due to heat shield. I don't think removing the rubber steering guard will gain me enough and I dont want to try to remove the steering shaft.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

remove the steering shaft. takes 10 mins to change the plugg then. just dont turn the wheel while its off and youll be fine.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

Use a plug socket with a shorty closed end wrench, crack it loose, then through the wheel well, with wheels turned to the right for more room, stick a piece of rubber fuel line (about 6-10 inches long) on the plug and spin it out. The hose trick works on many vehicles when you can't get your hands where you want them. Reverse procedure for install. This takes me less than 10 minutes. I would not un-hook stearing collum.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

Do yourself a favor and get the bosch plugs out of the engine,,, I tried them in mine and they suk!!!!!! I reput Ac Delco plugs this past weekend #41-993 is the new part # .60 gap. as far as trying to get the #3 plug out what i did was bought a swivel ratcheting wrench and used the normal spark plug socket get it loose to a certain point then take the wrench out you can turn the socket with your fingers to get it out the rest of the way, just be careful putting the new oneback in dont cross thread it... I paid 16$ for the wrench....well worth it...dont back the plug out too far with the wrench if you do you`ll jam the wrench in between the shaft and socket and wont be able to get it out unless you tighten the the plug back up a little... you`ll see ...

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

Bosch spark plugs are made for hot running engines only!!!! factory super or tubrocharged engines. thats why they crap out so fast in an ordinary engine. I replaced my orignal plugs with AC Delco platinum, my blazer runs awesome.

I got my #3 plug out by removing the streeing column from the gear box only one bolt, then I used a long crowbar and slid it off the and moved it up out of the way piece of cake.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

Wow this thread is old now, I havent pulled it out yet I dont dare to try to drop the steering colum since everything is rusty as I have as many days with salt on the ground as I do with clean ground. So far I have had no issues with the bosch platnium plus plugs in the engine.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

Hey man -- I'll tell you the easiest way to get that sucker off.. no cutting or anythingelse req'd, and I've tried pretty much all the ways.

You need:

1 normal spark plug socket with 6 sided wrenchable end(most are like this anyway, but check yours)

1 closed end offset ratchet wrench SAE - $6 for a set @http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90007


A: remove sp boot

B: slide on sp socket

C: put offset wrench on end of spark plug socket and turn

D: Voila - you have removed #3 sp in under a minute, even if it's sticky and needs several forceful turns

You have to go in through the wheel well, just behind the steering shaft.

Also, if you get that set, you can use the 5/8 to remove the distributor hold-down bolt very easily, which alot of people complain about beingdifficult and slow to remove, too.

There is a crows-foot like socket just for the #3 sp on these S and T GM trucks from Snap-On, but it's like $40. This way is easier, just as fast or faster, and cheap. Great for if you are going to use sea foam and want to stick in spare set of crappy plugs so you don't foul your good platinums.

Good luck. But you won't need any, trust me.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

Yah I have those wrenches minus the colors that they added recently. Maybe my socket it slightly to shallow because it doesnt stick out past my manifold heat shield.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

You have to go in through the wheel well, if you aren't already. You'll want to put the wrench on through the opening just behind (toward the rear bumper) the steering shaft, avoiding the brake lines there. It does make it easier to remove the wheel to do this, but you can also just turn it out of the way possibly.

The socket doesn't have to be on all the way either, but that shouldn't really matter doing it this way. My sp socket is normal sized and does it just fine. I'm assuming you were tryingto do it from the engine bay. If not, you would just need to fidget with it because it definitely works, as I've done it on both of my blazers with clearance to spare.

RE: #3 plug ok to leave?
 

Yah I am doing it from the wheel well I think my socket is slightly shallow it only bites the edge of the plug as it is without backing it off. I will have to look at some others.