How to Install Spark Plugs in a 2001 S-10

Iskandar Blogger 11:41 AM

The S-10 arrived to moderate fanfare in the 1982 model year, as Chevrolet attempted to compete with the foreign compact truck market without relying on the S-10, as it did with its LUV. The 2001 S-10 was slightly more refined than its 1982 counterpart, but still fit the same niche. Replacing the spark plugs on the 2001 S-10s standard 120-horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine is a quick, money-saving procedure that most do-it-yourself mechanics can perform.

Instructions

    1

    Check the gap between the center and ground electrodes on the bottom of all four new spark plugs, using a spark plug gap tool. The 2001 S-10s 2.2-liter engine requires a gap between 0.048 and 0.052 inches. Adjust the gap by widening or narrowing the distance between the two electrodes with the spark plug gap tool.

    2

    Trace one spark plug wire toward the front of the engine until you reach the thick rubber boot that connects it to a spark plug.

    3

    Grab the spark plug wire boot firmly and pull upward with a slight twisting motion to unplug the spark plug wire from the spark plug.

    4

    Remove the spark plug from the engine, using a ratchet, 6-inch extension and a spark plug socket. Pull the old spark plug from the spark plug socket a rubber insert inside the socket holds the plug inside and press a new spark plug into the spark plug socket.

    5

    Tighten the spark plug into its hole in the engine, using the 6-inch extension, spark plug socket and your hand. Feel for any resistance as you tighten the plug. Remove the plug and retighten it if you feel resistance. Attach a toque wrench to the 6-inch extension and spark plug socket, and torque the spark plug to 13 foot-pounds.

    6

    Inspect the disconnected spark plug wire for any defect, including cracks, breaks, brittleness, burn marks or signs of excessive age. Replace all four spark plug wires one by one, if any defects exist on any of the spark plug wires.

    7

    Apply a dab of dielectric grease the inside of the spark plug wire boot and spread it around the inside of the boot with a small flat-head screwdriver. Align the spark plug wire boot with the top of the spark plug and press the boot onto the plug until you feel it click into place.

    8

    Repeat steps 2 through 7 to replace the remaining three spark plugs.