Changing Spark Plugs On 1999 2.0l

[dpw928]

Hello from a new member. I've recently bought a 1999 Sportage EX for the Mrs and notice the idle is kind of rough. My first thought was the spark plugs but it appears they are nearly inaccessible . Does anyone have the procedures and parts list (besides plugs) that will be needed to change/check them? BTW the car has less than 43K miles.

Thanks,

Dennis

[VinDiezel84]

It's actually not to hard of a job to change the plugs.
The first thing you have to do is dismantle the intake that runs right over the Valved head. Once This has been removed you need to remove the plastic rectangular cover in the center of the head by the undoing the bolts surrounding it [I forget how many there are]
(The spark plugs are located directly under that plastic piece you remove)

Sorry, this response wasn't very detailed. I'm sure that someone else can probably give you much better directions, however at least you should have more of a sense of direction then you did before.

[dpw928]

You are right in that is pretty straight forward. Fastkia PM'd the detailed step by step instruction (thanks) and I was able to change them out in less than 2 hours. The amazing thing is that I didn't have any bolts, nuts or other hardware left over. The old plugs were gapped at .050 (.040 is spec) and they all showed signs of leakage through the insulator. Needless to say, the idle is much better.

Is it normal for NGK plugs to leak? I have a new (5K miles) set in my turbo and have recently notice an erratic idle.

Thanks for the help.

Dennis

[General Electric]

leakage meaning you've got oil around them? If yes, then you should replace your valve cover gasket. Not real hard to do either. The gasket can be had at your dealer for around $5. All you do is remove your valve cover (the cover that the black cover of your spark plugs sit on) remove the old gasket and replace with new. Simple as that.

[dpw928]

It wasn't oil from gasket leakage as there was none on the boot (inside or out) nor any residue on the metal part of the spark plug. Just darkened areas and some streaking on the insulator where it exits the metal part of the plug. I have seen the same thing on plugs but usually after the insulator was blown out and never on all of the plugs at the same time.

I'll check the NGK's in my 931 tomorrow to see if they show the same symptoms.

Thanks,

Dennis

[Sorento Lover]

Here is an example of replacing spark plugs on Sportage.

http://www.4wheelnoffroad.com/

The OE spark plugs are NGK BCPR6EY-11.

[dpw928]

Thanks for the link. My plugs were much worse than those picture and yep, I took twice as long as they did to change the,

Dennis