Spark plug replacement

[Santa_sleigh]

Planning my first winterization in a week or so and thought I'd ask if there's any tricks to swapping the spark plugs? 2015 212x with the 1.8s. Is there anything I should know? For starters, is the socket size 16mm? Anything else worth knowing before the job? Would love a link to a YouTube video if there are any good ones out there that have helped you.

TIA!

 

[Dave burke]

I’m sure there’s a post on this forum somewhere but it’s very straightforward in my experience. If you have the plastic engine cover (most 1.8s have them I think but not sure they did in 2005), remove it. Just 2 large bolts.

Then remove the 4 coil/plug grommets to expose the plugs. It’s a standard plug socket but I forget if it’s 13/16 or 5/8. If you have a good socket set, you probably have both.

I learned a neat trick from a tech last week - after loosening all 4 plugs he used one of the grommets to grab the plugs. Made it super easy.

 

[Neutron]

Planning my first winterization in a week or so and thought I'd ask if there's any tricks to swapping the spark plugs? 205 212x with the 1.8s. Is there anything I should know? For starters, is the socket size 16mm? Anything else worth knowing before the job? Would love a link to a YouTube video if there are any good ones out there that have helped you.

TIA!

Its a standard 5/8 spark plug socket. Try not to use any standard socket because they can keep you from. Cracking a plug when installing. And also if you get one that has the rubber insert it helps getting the old plug out. Otherwise a telescoping magnet will work. There is 2 10mm bolts on every coil pack as well.
Keep in mind all hardware is stainless so if you drop it they can be tough to fish out of the engine compartment if dropped in a bad spot.
Very easy job to do

 

[Santa_sleigh]

Its a standard 5/8 spark plug socket. Try not to use any standard socket because they can keep you from. Cracking a plug when installing. And also if you get one that has the rubber insert it helps getting the old plug out. Otherwise a telescoping magnet will work. There is 2 10mm bolts on every coil pack as well.
Keep in mind all hardware is stainless so if you drop it they can be tough to fish out of the engine compartment if dropped in a bad spot.
Very easy job to do

Thanks!

Not sure I followed what you were saying in your second/third sentence.

 

[Dave burke]

Did a check on YouTube, loads of videos on changing plugs on a 1.8 liter. Couldn’t find anything for 2005. I did like this video. It’s a 2014 Wave Runner.

The spark plug socket is 5/8s and the coil bolts are 10 mm.

 

[Dave burke]

Thanks!

Not sure I followed what you were saying in your second/third sentence.

He means don’t use a standard 5/8 deep socket, use a spart plug socket with a rubber insert. Otherwise you might crack the plug

 

[Neutron]

He means don’t use a standard 5/8 deep socket, use a spart plug socket with a rubber insert. Otherwise you might crack the plug

Exactly

 

[biffdotorg]

One last tip, if you plan on fogging your engine, don't bother changing your spark plugs till you burn off that fogging oil in the spring. It's a sure way to foul your brand new plugs. But many are not fogging the four strokes, so this may be a non issue.

Or just pull them, inspect them, and run them till you experience a drop in RPM. Most find minimal performance change with spark plugs changed annually. Your owners manual will give the proper interval for changes.

 

[Santa_sleigh]

One last tip, if you plan on fogging your engine, don't bother changing your spark plugs till you burn off that fogging oil in the spring. It's a sure way to foul your brand new plugs. But many are not fogging the four strokes, so this may be a non issue.

Or just pull them, inspect them, and run them till you experience a drop in RPM. Most find minimal performance change with spark plugs changed annually. Your owners manual will give the proper interval for changes.

Great point, wouldn't have thought about the fogging oil fouling the brand new plugs. Thanks!

 

[biffdotorg]

Great point, wouldn't have thought about the fogging oil fouling the brand new plugs. Thanks!

Honestly, that's an old habit from our two stroke waverunner days. As we fogged them all, and it was common to foul plugs annually. It was usually about 1 tank of fuel into the season and we would lose RPM's. Now it's not uncommon to get a few seasons out of plugs with no loss in performance. But I don't fog my four stoke 1.8's either.

Just something to think about if you plan on replacing them either way.