How to change your sparkplugs

[Jeff863]

I believe he is still having trouble even getting it to run properly. Reseting the ECU is always the last thing I recommend until you have diagnosed the issue. Otherwise you can potentially wipe out informative codes, etc.

However, resetting never really hurts anything, so it isn't like you shouldn't do it.

ok if i take out the MAF sensor i can get it to idol but that's it. if you try to rev it stalls. and goes into this weird lockout mode the temp. gauge goes all the way up and the oil light stays on even when you take the key out and the code reader wont read anything. i have a water type liquid coming from the back of the car. im not sure where yet but it's next to the gas tank but not gas. i think i might have to take it to a shop witch sucks cuz i will have to tow it.

[YBNormal07]

oh...this doesn't sound good.

Have you checked your oil and coolant levels lately?

When you get it to idle, what does it sound like?

Is there any mist or smoke coming from the exhaust?

Does the exhaust smell kind of "sweet"?

Have you checked for any puddles under the car?

Any sign of water coming out of the exhaust.

From your descriptions (smelling gas around the engine, water coming out the rear, will barely idle but can't increase RPMs)...sounds like a blown head gasket. Are you sure you seated all of the plugs correctly? Check your coolant level. It it is low, this is another sign. Pull your dipstick and look at it. If the oil looks cloudy or grayish, this is another sign of water in the oil.

First thing I would do is pull all of your installed plugs and put the stockers back in. Examine each plug as you pull it out. You never did say if you gapped them or not.

[Jeff863]

oh...this doesn't sound good.

Have you checked your oil and coolant levels lately?
yes they where fine

When you get it to idle, what does it sound like?
it sounds a little ruf

Is there any mist or smoke coming from the exhaust?
no

Does the exhaust smell kind of "sweet"?
it smells rich but it has always smelled rich

Have you checked for any puddles under the car?
yes there is a puddle i think it is water come from under the gas tank

Any sign of water coming out of the exhaust.
the puddle looks like it is coming out of the exhauts but im not sure.

From your descriptions (smelling gas around the engine, water coming out the rear, will barely idle but can't increase RPMs)...sounds like a blown head gasket. Are you sure you seated all of the plugs correctly? Check your coolant level. It it is low, this is another sign. Pull your dipstick and look at it. If the oil looks cloudy or grayish, this is another sign of water in the oil.

First thing I would do is pull all of your installed plugs and put the stockers back in. Examine each plug as you pull it out. You never did say if you gapped them or not.

i did pull one plug had some carbon build up on it. any idea how much a head gasket cost to put in?? and why would new spark plugs blow old one?? also there was a little smoke coming from the engine but not sure where.

[YBNormal07]

i did pull one plug had some carbon build up on it. any idea how much a head gasket cost to put in?? and why would new spark plugs blow old one?? also there was a little smoke coming from the engine but not sure where.

Still not sure what is going on. Smoke from the engine? Water from the exhaust? Sounds like the water could be simple condensation. If you had a blown head gasket, you would know it from white smoke from the exhaust and maybe from the engine. Your oil would also be cloudy. Doesn't sound like this is the issue.

Did you gap the plugs. Sounds to me like this is the plugs now.

[Big Sky WRX]

pull the iridiums and put the stockers back in- eliminate them as the source of the trouble (or determine if they are)

[Jeff863]

i will try the old plugs today. there is no white smoke and the oil looks clean. i im going to try and change the oil tomorrow. im waiting for some jack stands. but i hope your right. the plugs are one step colder would that make a difference. thanks for all the help guys.



Jeff

[Jeff863]

ok i put the old plugs back in and the engine started fine. now the fuel pump wont work. why would that happen?

[YBNormal07]

Are you sure you have enough gas?

If you cranked it for a while with low or no gas in the tank, it will fry the fuel pump due to loss of lubrication.

[Jeff863]

it ran out once before that but i put a gallon in after that and it worked

[YBNormal07]

So it is working now? Please be more clear in your posts.

[Jeff863]

no it dose not work any more. i am just surprised it died so fast. is there a way to test it without taking it out?? i have checked the connection and it is getting power. what kind of pump should i get if i replace it?? i want a better one and i have heard good and bad things about walbro are they good for the subby or not?? thanks for all the help.

[ansonowicz]

Hello BigSky,

You've been very helpful in the past & would like to thank you for your knowledge. Us wagon owners are like bastard children on the forums.


Here are my findings on 06 WRX sparkplugs. I can't seem to find any pre-gapped plugs in a copper flavor.

FOR 2006 WRX
Thread: 14mm
Hex: 5/8"
Reach: 26.5mm (1.04")
Seat: Gasket
Gap: 0.028 - 0.031


====
NGK
====

ILFR6B - Stock (Iridium)
LFR7AIX - One step colder (IX Iridium Series. 0.032)
LFR6A-11 - Stock Heat Range (Copper V-Power Series, 0.044)


=====
Denso (approx $12/ea)
=====

IKH20 = Stock heat Range (Iridium, but pre-gapped 0.044)
IKH22 = 1 step Colder (Iridium, 0.032)
IKH24 = 2 steps colder (Iridium, 0.032)
IKH27 = 3 steps colder (Iridium, 0.032)

[Big Sky WRX]

good info- I'm sure the 06/07 guys will appreciate it (maybe the 08 too?)

Mike

[plac]

The writeup was helpful. Just got done my plugs. Maybe 1.2 hours in no rush. Didnt ever use any of my wobblys, I had a thin-ish headed 3/8" rachet that fit right on my extensions. the coil pack bolts were the hard part for me, you have a lot more room when doing the plugs. I went with NGK standard coppers as i have used them for 20 years with perfect success in all my imports. I might have got the OE plugs if anyone had them in stock besides the dealer. So I paid $1.99 for each plug at Kragen. The car started up nice after I was done, so I think I had success.

[06wrx4me]

ansonowicz




Thanks. I was reading this thread and just wondering about it.