Problem with my 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
Engine size = 6 cyl 3800
GM Computer codes = no
Repair work done prior = None
GM tech = mw
question = I need to know how to change the spark plugs. I took the wires off and only
the bottom of the plug showed. Do I need to take the cylinder off?
MW:
If you mean that the spark plugs broke, and all that remains is the lower portion, then
no you do not need to remove the cylinder heads. You will still be able to get a socket
on the plugs, as the lower portion has the fitting for a socket. See this link for a pic of a
spark plug.
Engine size = 6 cyl 3800
GM Computer codes = no
Repair work done prior = None
GM tech = mw
question = I need to know how to change the spark plugs. I took the wires off and only
the bottom of the plug showed. Do I need to take the cylinder off?
MW:
If you mean that the spark plugs broke, and all that remains is the lower portion, then
no you do not need to remove the cylinder heads. You will still be able to get a socket
on the plugs, as the lower portion has the fitting for a socket. See this link for a pic of a
spark plug.
Other Repair
Questions
Questions
Spark Plug Replacement Problem
The electronic ignition (EI) system produces a high energy secondary spark. This spark is used to ignite the compressed
air/fuel mixture at precisely the correct time. This provides optimal performance, fuel economy, and control of exhaust
emissions.
This ignition system uses one coil for each pair of cylinders. Companion cylinders are a pair of cylinders that are at top
dead center (TDC) at the same time. The cylinder that is at TDC of the compression stroke is called the event cylinder. The
cylinder that is at TDC of the exhaust stroke is called the waste cylinder. When the coil is triggered both companion cylinder
spark plugs fire at the same time, completing a series circuit. Because the lower pressure inside the waste cylinder offers
very little resistance, the event cylinder uses most of the available voltage to produce a very high energy spark. This is
known as waste spark ignition. The EI system consists of the following components:
air/fuel mixture at precisely the correct time. This provides optimal performance, fuel economy, and control of exhaust
emissions.
This ignition system uses one coil for each pair of cylinders. Companion cylinders are a pair of cylinders that are at top
dead center (TDC) at the same time. The cylinder that is at TDC of the compression stroke is called the event cylinder. The
cylinder that is at TDC of the exhaust stroke is called the waste cylinder. When the coil is triggered both companion cylinder
spark plugs fire at the same time, completing a series circuit. Because the lower pressure inside the waste cylinder offers
very little resistance, the event cylinder uses most of the available voltage to produce a very high energy spark. This is
known as waste spark ignition. The EI system consists of the following components:
03 pontiac grand prix still overheating.
Question: My car started running hot about three weeks ago. Heater would work on and off. Checked water and
had oil in it. Replaced intake and head gaskets. Flushed Radiator. Ran fine for day or two. Started running hot
again. Heat did not work at all. Changed thermostat. It was stuck. Flushed again. no change, still running hot.
Replaced water pump. No change. No oil in water, heat still not working even after new thermostat. Can idle for a
while but when accelerated or tr to drive it instantly begins to run hot. Not sure what else to do. Any advice would
be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Question: My car started running hot about three weeks ago. Heater would work on and off. Checked water and
had oil in it. Replaced intake and head gaskets. Flushed Radiator. Ran fine for day or two. Started running hot
again. Heat did not work at all. Changed thermostat. It was stuck. Flushed again. no change, still running hot.
Replaced water pump. No change. No oil in water, heat still not working even after new thermostat. Can idle for a
while but when accelerated or tr to drive it instantly begins to run hot. Not sure what else to do. Any advice would
be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Answer: You've covered just about all the bases there, and with
most of the parts that have been replaced, there can only be a
couple things left that are causing your problem. Depending on
how hot the car got, you could have warped or even cracked the
cylinder heads. Just replacing the head gaskets wouldn't fix the
problem, and this would lead to an additional overheating
problem. If the heads weren't checked out properly for cracks or
warping during the repair, you may have to take them off again
to get that done. Sometimes it's just a small amount of warp or
the tiniest crack that can lead to big trouble. Since you stated
that you had oil in the coolant at first, I would definitely be
leaning towards a problem like this. You could have even
cracked the block if it got real bad. If there is enough damage,
you will probably end up needing to replace the engine.
most of the parts that have been replaced, there can only be a
couple things left that are causing your problem. Depending on
how hot the car got, you could have warped or even cracked the
cylinder heads. Just replacing the head gaskets wouldn't fix the
problem, and this would lead to an additional overheating
problem. If the heads weren't checked out properly for cracks or
warping during the repair, you may have to take them off again
to get that done. Sometimes it's just a small amount of warp or
the tiniest crack that can lead to big trouble. Since you stated
that you had oil in the coolant at first, I would definitely be
leaning towards a problem like this. You could have even
cracked the block if it got real bad. If there is enough damage,
you will probably end up needing to replace the engine.
