plug change prep
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 372
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From: Paola
plug change prep
Just about to the 100K mark on my truck. I have the new tsb on the plug removal and im going to order the champion one piece plugs. Whats a good set of plug wires to get? Also I know I need some anti seize. Do I need any special tools and is there anything I can run through the system to help with carbon build up before I do the plug change? Anything else I need before I begin?
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
You might want to locate a Rotunda removal tool (or whichever tool they recommend these days) or see who has one on hand just in case you break one off. If you do break a bunch of them off, can't get them removed with the tool, and are forced to tow over to the dealer, you will need a large amount of petroleum jelly as well.
Good luck and may the ceramic gods be with you...
Good luck and may the ceramic gods be with you...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Probably could run some high test in the engine real quick. Before you back the plugs out squirt a good amount of penetrating oil inside each plug. This will practically eliminate any breakage of plugs in head. Just take your time and follow the tsb. 
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 60
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I would use the cleaner recommended in the tsb. Do not put high test in it- it makes it worse- we had a field service engineer out on one we had with broken plugs with an experimental tool to get the plugs with broken porcelin out. We had already pulled one head & he commented that high test had been used in the truck based on amount of carbon deposits- we asked cust. & he said yes he had been using high test- engineer said unless you have a chip/programmer that takes advantage of the high test you actually get more carbon depsits- He definetely recommended a combustion/fuel injector
cleaning before beginning- we have done that since & so far have broken no plugs
cleaning before beginning- we have done that since & so far have broken no plugs
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
^ Makes very good sense. DO NOT USE HIGH OCTANE FUEL. Did not realize my logic right there. I apologize for my/any misunderstanding. Just follow the tsb and you'll be fine.
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Posting Guru
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From: Sunapee NH
Just about to the 100K mark on my truck. I have the new tsb on the plug removal and im going to order the champion one piece plugs. Whats a good set of plug wires to get? Also I know I need some anti seize. Do I need any special tools and is there anything I can run through the system to help with carbon build up before I do the plug change? Anything else I need before I begin?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Kingwood, TEXAS
You might want to locate a Rotunda removal tool (or whichever tool they recommend these days) or see who has one on hand just in case you break one off. If you do break a bunch of them off, can't get them removed with the tool, and are forced to tow over to the dealer, you will need a large amount of petroleum jelly as well.
Good luck and may the ceramic gods be with you...
Good luck and may the ceramic gods be with you...
ROFLMAO
patience is your best friend when removing the plugs. Follow the tsb and let 'em soak extra long. If the plug doesnt budge with moderate hand torque back off and let it soak some more. Getting frustrated at this point and torquing on the plug is what's gonna break them. Trust me I know!!!
Good luck and TAKE YOUR TIME!!!! lol
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Newport, Wa.
Could someone tell me how to find this TSB? I'm interested in this plug removal problem. I only have 9K on mine so it's a long way off, but want to be educated. Would it be a good idea to loosen the plugs or remove and reinstall say once a year or so?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
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From: Michigan
You can buy combustion chamber cleaner at GM dealers. Its called Top End cleaner and it works very well. You can Google more info on it. You basically spray or pour it in the engine untill it stalls out, and let it sit for a few hours. Then run the engine to clean it out, then change the plugs. It is recomended to replace the spark plugs when you use this product anyway. About a month before I changed my plugs I put Marval Mystry oil in every gas fill up I did. Its suppose to help clean carbon deposits. My truck had 43,000 miles and my plugs came out with great ease. I don't know if the Marvel Mystry Oil had a factor, but for what was at stake it was worth a few bottles.
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
I think the mystery oil is a bit more refined than Sea Foam. I think the GM top end cleaner is Sea Foam. Not sure how much it's going to help with any carbon build up that's impacted around the plugs...but I recommend the stuff to help even out rough idle and just general flushing of the intake. I run it through the brake booster on all my rigs every 20K miles. Neighbors hate me for it!