I have 130,000 on my 2003 Monte Carlo SS so I decide it’s time to change plugs. The fuel economy dropped off by 2-3 miles per gallon.
First challenge: find a “reasonable” price for plugs. I found the best price on Amazon of all places. Rock Auto was also good.
The front three were fairly easy, once I got the boot off. The back three were a different story.
I disconnected the dog bone(s) (struts) and pulled the car forward as much as I could and put a block of wood to hold it.
Now the bad news. I found something sharp pack there and had an “old faithful” of blood everywhere! The good news was that I didn’t require any stitches.
I did something I have never done–let someone else change plugs for me. I watched my friend at Warren Gear in Warren MI install the neatest tool and rock the motor further forward than I knew it would go. This gave a pretty good shot at the back three plugs.
As soon as I got home I found one on Amazon for $35. It works like a scissor jack. It connects to both sides of where the strut would go. You turn the screw and the motor moves. You have to remember to put the car in neutral so you don’t damage the parking pall.
This is called a “GM Engine Moving Tool” . The supplier is “Thexton” and the part no. is 419X. You can see the picture above.
I guess we’ll call it lessons learned. There is always something new to be learned!