Changing Spark Plugs

[jslash]

Folks,

My '97 Grand Caravan has taken me 245,000 miles with minmal problems. However, I need to address the spark plugs very soon. I had them changed at around 100k to the tune of $300! Not going there again. So now with almost 150k on this set I need to change them. However, the garage that charged my $300 said that they had to remove the intake manifold to get at them! Now my suspicion is that "the book" says that but the mechanics have figured out tricks to get around it and pocket the extra cash or take a nap for a few hours. ;) I thought maybe I could get at them from below but I crawled under there the other day and I can "see them" but there is now way to change them from under there. What IS the trick to changing these plugs without spending $300?!?!

TIA!

Jim

'97 Dodge Grand Caravan - 245,000 miles
Oconomowoc, WI

[webbee]

I do them from underneath with the van front up on jack stands. A piece of large box cardboard on the ground makes sliding around in the confined space much easier. A spark plug wire puller helps to keep you from breaking the wire when you separate the wire from the plug. The middle one is easiest, the rear isn't to bad, but the front can only be done by feel. I used a wobble extension, with a regular extension on top of the wobble and got it out. It helps to blow out the holes before removing the plugs. Use a 6" piece of rubber hose that you can snuggly put the ceramic sparky top into to start the plugs. A bit of anti-seize should be applied to the plug thread, as it keeps the sparky from welding to the head.
Some remove the alternator bracket, tip the alternator, and go from the top on number one. I think that just adds work.

As always, good luck with your project!

[RickMN]

Do yourself a favor and remove the windshield wiper tub assembly. Remove the wiper arms (mark their position first). Then, remove the plastic cowling. Next remove the support brackets. Disconnect the electrical connector. Finally, remove the tub-to-firewall bolts. The whole tub assembly lifts out of the way and you can easily reach around to get to the rear plugs. If you really want more room, remove the upper intake manifold. The whole wiper assembly removal procedure takes about 20-30 minutes. It's a LOT easier than trying to do it from the bottom. I've done it both ways and I'd do the wiper thing any day, rather than fight from the bottom.

[YingsFIL]

No kidding - you took off the wiper tub. Where were you when I needed you. When I changed mine (98 3.3) I did the middle and drivers side from the bottom and had to remove the alternator and get the passenger side from the top. Your way sounds so much easier.

[vipergg]

$300 ,boy they saw you coming . My local Chrysler dealer does the tuneup for like $80 . They can do it for that price and I don't have to mess with trying to do the rear plugs.

[Ted928]

I don't know about your engine but I changed my 2002 3.8L easily from the top. You can't see the rear plugs but you can feel them and easily get your hands on them.

[gas28man]

The 02 is a totally different animal. The 96-00s have less clearance.

I do the fronts myself and pay the garage down the street $55 to do the rears. Buy the longest-life plugs you can lay your hands on (platinums), and you won't have to do it so often.

I'm at 342,000 miles on my 96 Town & Country, and I've only changed the plugs three times, but I'm about due now.

Rick

[the_gunslinger]

tell ya what made it easy for me. i started with removing the upper plennum, but halfway throught the job, i realized that if you remove the 3 bolts off of the exhaust, removing the pipe from the manifold, it clears up TONS of room. and its alot easier than removing the upper plenum. as for the wiper tub... ill have to look in to that!!! that would have made this job tons easier! and the $300 thing... i got the same thing... i told him they can kiss my @$$ for $300!

[scubersteve]

remove the top alternator bracket and shove the alternator towards the firewall (don't even need to remove the belt) gives you just enough room to access the #1 plug from the top

[usg4595]

guys - just wanted to say thanks for the sage(?!) advice - my 13 yr old was looking this up for me while I worked on the front set - he liked the comments.......I only got half way started on removing the wiper tray before it got dark but I think it will work.

[Caravan05850]

Their trick is they do it with the van on a lift, then you can reach the three in back pretty easy. I believe the dealer ship charged me around $150 for replacing the plugs and wires.

[comgizz]

Hey,
I just removed the intake boot from the air box and i just reached it all from sticking my hands on top and around the motor, took 45 min for all 6.

[Syndrome]

I did 2 of the rear ones from the bottom, on a AWD. And I'll tell you what.. that drive shaft really gets in the way. Even with it there I spent an hour doing 5 of them. But the last one(passenger back) I spent at least 5 hours on. I didn't know how to take the wiper stuff off, so I did it by feel, and I had to go the alternator route, but I still got some nasty scrapes because how tight it was. If you were to take the exhaust down pipe off then it would be easy from the bottom.

[comgizz]

Well you see thats were the difference's is, mine is't a AWD. But i did that back three by feel and it was a breeze. But my arms are skinny so i could fit them back there. It was so easy i would do it again without hesitation.