Post by George MX-5 (Admin) on Jul 6, 2015 17:47:58 GMT 2
This is a guide to help those change spark plugs in their Mazda MX-5 (NC) ,I pulled the factory installed FoMoCo plugs and installed four shiny new NKK Laser Iridium ILTR6A-13G plugs.
(Autolite XP5364 also work well)The NGK are an excellent upgrade over the stock plugs. Designed specifically for the Mazda MX-5, these Iridium spark plugs offer superior performance, improved throttle response and superior anti-fouling. The design of the ultra-fine electrode is designed to ensure maximum durability while offering accurate and consistent spark - offering better starts, superior acceleration, and optimum fuel economy.
NGK Iridium spark plugs offer the latest technology in spark plug design and performance. Iridium is significantly stronger than any metal used in traditional replacement spark plugs, and over 6 times stronger harder than even a platinum plug! This has allowed NGK's engineers to design an ultra-fine center electrode thereby reducing the voltage requirement for spark. These are a better fit)
While I was there I thought I'd document the process for everyone.
Let's get started, I first removed the Kansai brace for clearance, here the cover panel has been pulled loose. The cover just snaps on in three places so just grab and pull it up. This dusty cover will be cleaned before it's reinstalled. For now it'll be moved out of the way.
Cover off. Each plug has it's own coil, each coil is held on by a bolt with an 8mm head. I'll use a 1/4" drive with an 8mm socket to remove these bolts. Once the bolts are out the coil just pulls straight up off of the spark plug in the well below.
Here are all of the coils laid out, you cannot mix these up so no worries about keeping them in order, these will only fit one way when you go to reinstall them.
Look down in the well and you can just see the top of the spark plug, you'll need a 16mm deep socket to get this guy loose. Between the two spark plug wells you can see the prong that the cover snaps onto.
What I'll use to unscrew the spark plug, is a 3/8" drive ratchet with an extension and a 16mm deep socket. Some specialized spark plug sockets come with a piece of foam inside to hold the spark plug when you pull it up, this one does not so I'll be using a grabber to remove the plug. A magnet on a stick also works to pull the spark plug up out of the well or even some grease in the socket.
When removing the plug, keep the socket and extension vertical so that you do not snap off the ceramic part of the plug !
Using the grabber to pull the plug up and out of the well.
As soon as I pull one plug out I hand tighten the new one in place, once all are in I go back and torque them. I use the grabber to set the new plugs gently into place, dropping them could change the gap, knock crud into the cylinder or crack the plug, then just torque the new spark plugs to 8-10 ft pounds of torque.
Assuming that you'd like to be able to easily pull the coils off of the plugs the next time you change plugs... use a dab of dielectric grease on the inside of the rubber boot. You do not need to get much in here and do not fuss about getting any on the spark plug. Just wiggle the boot around as you slide it onto the plug and you're good. Start the engine, just to be sure before you put the cover back on and clean up.
Now snap the cover back on, replace anything else that you've removed to be able to get to the plugs, clean up and head for the beer.
(Autolite XP5364 also work well)The NGK are an excellent upgrade over the stock plugs. Designed specifically for the Mazda MX-5, these Iridium spark plugs offer superior performance, improved throttle response and superior anti-fouling. The design of the ultra-fine electrode is designed to ensure maximum durability while offering accurate and consistent spark - offering better starts, superior acceleration, and optimum fuel economy.
NGK Iridium spark plugs offer the latest technology in spark plug design and performance. Iridium is significantly stronger than any metal used in traditional replacement spark plugs, and over 6 times stronger harder than even a platinum plug! This has allowed NGK's engineers to design an ultra-fine center electrode thereby reducing the voltage requirement for spark. These are a better fit)
While I was there I thought I'd document the process for everyone.
Let's get started, I first removed the Kansai brace for clearance, here the cover panel has been pulled loose. The cover just snaps on in three places so just grab and pull it up. This dusty cover will be cleaned before it's reinstalled. For now it'll be moved out of the way.
Cover off. Each plug has it's own coil, each coil is held on by a bolt with an 8mm head. I'll use a 1/4" drive with an 8mm socket to remove these bolts. Once the bolts are out the coil just pulls straight up off of the spark plug in the well below.
Here are all of the coils laid out, you cannot mix these up so no worries about keeping them in order, these will only fit one way when you go to reinstall them.
Look down in the well and you can just see the top of the spark plug, you'll need a 16mm deep socket to get this guy loose. Between the two spark plug wells you can see the prong that the cover snaps onto.
What I'll use to unscrew the spark plug, is a 3/8" drive ratchet with an extension and a 16mm deep socket. Some specialized spark plug sockets come with a piece of foam inside to hold the spark plug when you pull it up, this one does not so I'll be using a grabber to remove the plug. A magnet on a stick also works to pull the spark plug up out of the well or even some grease in the socket.
When removing the plug, keep the socket and extension vertical so that you do not snap off the ceramic part of the plug !
Using the grabber to pull the plug up and out of the well.
As soon as I pull one plug out I hand tighten the new one in place, once all are in I go back and torque them. I use the grabber to set the new plugs gently into place, dropping them could change the gap, knock crud into the cylinder or crack the plug, then just torque the new spark plugs to 8-10 ft pounds of torque.
Assuming that you'd like to be able to easily pull the coils off of the plugs the next time you change plugs... use a dab of dielectric grease on the inside of the rubber boot. You do not need to get much in here and do not fuss about getting any on the spark plug. Just wiggle the boot around as you slide it onto the plug and you're good. Start the engine, just to be sure before you put the cover back on and clean up.
Now snap the cover back on, replace anything else that you've removed to be able to get to the plugs, clean up and head for the beer.
) I have hired the Rock Race way this Saturday 24 June, if you would like to come onto the track and use the strip you are welcomed to will be R300 per person.