spark plug change on the 4.3,how diffuclt we talkin?
 

lately i have been noticeing a skip as i drive every so often,and my dad suggested that it might be the spark plugs need to be changed..well thats the one thing i havent done on the truck so ik it hasnt been done in a while(4-5yrs id say) so i figure id try it..even if its not the cause of my hesitaion at least ill have fresh plugs in it and my mpgs might increase so how difficult are we talkin in terms of process here,ik this is prolly a stupid question..eh oh well lol

I can't speak from experience because I'm too afraid to tackle it myself, but between the 3 Blazers and Jimmys in our family, we've only had the dealer do them. Apparently, the fifth plug is a total PITA to get to. The stop we took ours to needed a special tool to get it in there, but I've heard of my friends having to partially take out steering columns or a tire off to get to it.

Its not that bad. LT1 F-bodys are alot harded! And you can always back off the 11mm bolt on the end of the steering shaft, then pry the steering shaft back towards the firewall and sideways away from engine to make the 3rd plug a piece of cake. 5th plug is easy to get to.

Dont forget you can get to all plugs through the fender wells just move the plastic out of the way.

I second just removing the 11mm steering shaft bolt.

1 hour tops, ChrisC is right on the steering shaft. Make sure they screw in easy, do not force them, dont strip out the plug hole.

Man, I don't see what the big deal everyone makes out about the plugs on this engine. I've owned a couple and changed the plugs several times and you just have to have a long extension, maybe a wobbly for the socket and go in through the wheel well on the left side (turn your wheels to the right first). That's what the little flap in the wheel well is split for. I've heard of guys actually disconnecting the steering! There are a lot tougher jobs on this vehicle than a spark plug change believe me. Oil filter hose change, power steering pump change, etc. come to mind. I just got done replacing the plugs on my 94 4X4 4 door. Piece of cake.

same here I never found it that hard to change the spark plugs. All i did was cut the wheels all the way to the left or right. It usually takes me like 45 min to do it.

if you have a set of sockets, a few extensions, and one flexable knuckle, you can do it easily.

The first vehicle i have ever changed the plugs on myself is my blazer (i have since done 2 others). I did it the hard way (lift front remove tires) but could have easily just cranked my tires to one side then the other and got it done. too me longer to figure out the GD wire harness clips than it did to do #3 and #5 which are both sitll a bit of a hassle, but no where near the PITA those stupid harness clips were :icon_teeth:

you can do it. just give yourself a 2 hour window, be patient, and you should find yourself with at least a half hour let over in which to pat yourself on the back.

it will be faster each time after that too :D

Do they sell a kit for this anywhere? I know I saaw one in jegs, but havent been able to find one lately... I have a feeling I will need to change mine soon as it gets a little warmer....

Like everyone said. Long extention, wobble end or knuckel through the wheel well and you are good to go. It is way more difficult to get the clips on the wires than to change the spark plugs..LOL

Snap-on makes a tool just for us blazer owners
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

If you have a body lift its just as easy to do as the other 5

dont forget the anti-seize when you put the new ones on

There was also a complete kit, like plugs, wires, and a cap

oh that kind of kit. I was thinking about a kit for taking them out. oh well

thanx guys,awsome advice..i think i can tackle this job :),ive changed the plugs in all my other cars quite easily(mostly 4cyls and a 3.3 v6) so i think i can tackle it,i was just going on what people ik have said about the 4.3 and spark plugs..but seems like they were overreacting..now another question,what kinda plugs do you guys recommend i use??,i was considering some Bosch platinums i saw the other day while i was in wal-mart..but what worx best for you guys?

I have had my jimmy for 5 years and never done the plugs yet.. I think its about time lol but from what i read on the other threads everyone says go with AC delco plugs

I would go with whatever GM calls for.

Thats what I do with both of my cars.

AC delcos. nothing else. i got a check engine light on my blazer when i tried bosch platinums. that was with just one sparkplug changed not all 6. so i dont know how bad it would run with 6 bosch. went back exchanged them for my money went and got ac delcos down the road put all 6 in havent had any problems

delco platinum. 'nuff said

Delco Plat!

I did both my bravadas and it wasnt that bad, the wheels were removed so i could get my arms in there, just get a small clamp and fold up the floppy inner fender guard and rock out.

if the shaft of your extension is smaller it will help tons, and you can bypass the removal of the steering arm, by using said tappered extension

yeah, with the extension and a knuckle you can skip the shaft removal too (should have mentioned that part)

ok im seein AC delco is the consensis(sp) so i will def be getting those but idk bout the delco platnum..i like the cheap option lol,and i def have the proper tools to get it done so im gonna attempt it

i'd go with the platinums. the tips last a little longer if you got to leave them in longer

gm engines prefer a/c delco plugs ,and i would put in regular delco

thats what i picked up last night at the parts store,the basic delco's were 2ish a piece and the platnums or what ever were like 4ish a piece,so i went w/ the cheaper option lol :)

plats last longer. so $12 to not change your plugs again in half the time isn't actually spending more money, it's a cheaper option in the long run.
that is why everyone from the admis down to the noobs told you that of everything and every option tried, everyone goes to/back to AC Delco Platinum.

It is not set in stone. I hope you get a long, healthy life out of those plugs. Good Luck.

if you put in the best its gonna run longer and better. mostly this way with most parts. im big on you get what you pay for. more$ usually=better part. there is a few instances when this is different

i know the plats are prolly better but unfortunetly..i am unemployed right now and 13bux for regular vs 24ish for plats is better for me now,but i def appreciate the input and my next plug replacement will be plats :)

what ever the factory put in in 2000 seems to do the trick! 124k miles later and they still spark, no missing or sputtering so i see no need to change 'em. also, i rarely take the rpm's over 2500 so im not too concerned with the mild decrease in performance that might exist.

The description on that tool states it's for '94+ models. What about '93 S10 Blazer 4.3 W engine? Is the #5 plug hard to remove on it too?

The driver side middle plugs are ridiculous. You might have to go through the wheel well to get to them