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You are not logged in Name Password Visitors may read posts. Only registered users can post. Read the FAQ Join the board Author Topic: Changing Spark Plugs, Tommay where you at? Soldier Delivery JediJoined: Feb 2007Posts: 10,597 2/27/12 3:45:22 PM Just how tough is it to change spark plugs on my damn Cadillac? The local shop won't do it, the dealer said it's a 4 hour job at $300!!! I changed some plugs in high school automechanics and don't recall it being so tough, so what is it about my 05' Cadillac STS 3.6L that everyone is trippin over?! I tried digging up some instructions on internet and doesn't come across like an easy job. The reason I want it done early at 73,000 mi is because the eng lite keeps flashing when I accelerate some times. Sometimes it stays on and at higher speeds when accelerating I can feel it sputter/lose power as the eng lite flashes. The local shop plugged in the scanner computer and it showed the 5th cylinder was misfiring. This has happened multiple times, so wasn't just a one time misfire.--The truth will set you free. << last modified on 2/27/12 3:55:28 PM >> Tommy Salami Delivery TycoonJoined: Aug 2006Posts: 5770 2/27/12 6:15:45 PM I'll bet that those plugs are hidden under some sort of cover which has to be removed. That's a V6, right? It's not good to throw parts at a malfunction, without knowing if they are indeed the parts causing the problem. But, plugs are cheap enough - unless that engine calls for the iridium spark plugs. Have you priced those? I installed a set in my buddy's '01 Silverado with the 4.8L V8, and I think they were between $5 - $10 apiece. I'm sure that the LS1 version of that car uses those plugs, but I don't know about the sixxer. The other thing that it could be, is a coil pack. Your car likely has 3 of them, and they each typically handle two cylinders. Coil packs like to die. But I would feel better blaming the coil pack, if there were another cylinder misfiring. See if you can find the plugs, or plug wires, or coil packs in there, and maybe snap a pic if possible. Failing all else, I would try to pick up a Haynes of Chilton's manual. Those are the easiest way to figure out something like this. One other thing: I've always gone to google with questions like this, but another great place to search is youtube. Google might be able to tell you how to do something, but youtube can actually show you. Unfortunately, I think your car may be too new to be supported by DIY material from the interwebs yet...--Too many chiefs, not enough indica...© Drivaz4life. BenKenobi Veteran PosterJoined: Jul 2008Posts: 1839 2/27/12 7:00:14 PM Not sure if it's the same generation, though.--"Run for the money, two for the show , three to make wave and four to blow it out of my ass" -wander LTPHTeamMember Veteran PosterJoined: Apr 2009Posts: 2268 2/27/12 7:08:59 PM http://www.gmpartsdepartment.com/parts/2005/CADILLAC/ STS/?siteid=214533&vehicleid=1431688&diagram=B C05180&diagramCallOut=2 $5.61 + shipping for one spark plug. Directions: http://www.2carpros.com/questions/cadillac-cts-2006-c adillac-cts-changing-spark-plugs-in-2006-cts Simply put, this job takes tools the average Joe simply doesn't have. Pieshofur Delivery TycoonJoined: Sep 2005Posts: 6843 2/27/12 8:52:19 PM Now you know why some of us old timers pay $600 for a Beater, just for hauling pies. I have three cars. Total cost $3100.00. Summer Car gets 40+ MPG when gas is high. Winter Car gets 26+ MPG when the shyt gets deep. Day OFF car only gets 18 MPG, but doesn't embarass my date to be seen in it. Sorry Soldier. Crackallacs are meant for those who don't do DIY. Most trade them in before the dealer service & warranty agreements run out. Now you know why. One thing no one seems to have meantioned is there is a wire running between the spark plug and the coil pack. Is it loose or worn, by any chance? Maybe resting against, or too near, any metal surface that could provide a short cut to Ground? For all their wizardry and technology, the Check Engine Light and Computer Codes just tell you where to LOOK for the problem, NOT what is actually WRONG.--"It isn't how fast you go, but how you go fast." Enzo Ferrari Pieshofur Delivery TycoonJoined: Sep 2005Posts: 6843 2/27/12 9:02:31 PM BenKenobi writes: << Not sure if it‘s the same generation, though. >>Yeah! That makes it perfectly clear. Now where did I put my Metric Cresent Wrench?--"It isn't how fast you go, but how you go fast." Enzo Ferrari gregster Delivery JediJoined: Apr 2006Posts: 12,282 2/27/12 11:56:41 PM Your DC transformers might be goin bad... --Total posts 11022 Total topics 2001 Soldier Delivery JediJoined: Feb 2007Posts: 10,597 2/28/12 6:19:07 PM Tommy Salami writes: << I‘ll bet that those plugs are hidden under some sort of cover which has to be removed. That‘s a V6, right? >>Yea, V6. and everything is covered in there. << It‘s not good to throw parts at a malfunction, without knowing if they are indeed the parts causing the problem. But, plugs are cheap enough - unless that engine calls for the iridium spark plugs. Have you priced those? I installed a set in my buddy‘s ‘01 Silverado with the 4.8L V8, and I think they were between $5 - $10 apiece. I‘m sure that the LS1 version of that car uses those plugs, but I don‘t know about the sixxer. >>Yea, I bought the autolite iridium plugs, $6.99 with a $20 rebate gas card if I bought 6 (which would be needed. So, at the least they only cost me half of that $6.99 really. << The other thing that it could be, is a coil pack. Your car likely has 3 of them, and they each typically handle two cylinders. Coil packs like to die. But I would feel better blaming the coil pack, if there were another cylinder misfiring. >><< See if you can find the plugs, or plug wires, or coil packs in there, and maybe snap a pic if possible. >>Well, it did it again just yesterday on the way to get my daughter when passing semi's and I'm not cool with that, so I will see what if anything I/we can get done about this. << Failing all else, I would try to pick up a Haynes of Chilton‘s manual. Those are the easiest way to figure out something like this. >>The problem here is, I lack much for tools. Certainly though guys at work have plenty of tools that we could address most of this, just maybe not changing the plugs ourselves because it sounds intense how one guy was explaining it to me. << One other thing: I‘ve always gone to google with questions like this, but another great place to search is youtube. Google might be able to tell you how to do something, but youtube can actually show you. >>I found the exact question I was looking for on changing plugs in my exact car online, but no one gave a real definitive answer except that it's a pain in the arse. << Unfortunately, I think your car may be too new to be supported by DIY material from the interwebs yet... >>Which that's sad, because it's now 7 years old.--The truth will set you free. LTPHTeamMember Veteran PosterJoined: Apr 2009Posts: 2268 2/28/12 7:24:39 PM Soldier writes: << Yea, I bought the autolite iridium plugs, $6.99 with a $20 rebate gas card if I bought 6 (which would be needed. So, at the least they only cost me half of that $6.99 really. >>I hope this was not a walk in to an AutoZone type store and ordering spark plugs by giving the car's info. << The problem here is, I lack much for tools. Certainly though guys at work have plenty of tools that we could address most of this, just maybe not changing the plugs ourselves because it sounds intense how one guy was explaining it to me. >>Your first mistake was buying an aftermarket spark plug when an OEM was available. Now you are supposed to measure the spark gap on each plug that they are within manufacturer specification. I looked it up for the fun of it and... http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-cts-fir st-generation-forum-2003/224443-my-take-3-6-sp ark-plugs.html Its stated that the OEM spark plug fires at .040 and aftermarket plugs at .044...note that Autolite is not an aftermarket plug and fires at .05; Course, you can shorten the gap to .04 At least you know what tools to have from that forum post. And change all of them plugs since the general rule is they were supposed to be changed at 60,000 miles. Tommy Salami Delivery TycoonJoined: Aug 2006Posts: 5770 2/28/12 8:08:43 PM Soldier writes: << Yea, I bought the autolite iridium plugs, $6.99 with a $20 rebate gas card if I bought 6 (which would be needed. So, at the least they only cost me half of that $6.99 really. >> Still kinda a lot for a spark plug. I think the Motorcraft plugs for my Mustang are still less than $2 apiece. << The problem here is, I lack much for tools. Certainly though guys at work have plenty of tools that we could address most of this, just maybe not changing the plugs ourselves because it sounds intense how one guy was explaining it to me. >>You could get into a pretty decent set of mechanic's tools for less than a Benjamin, and if you can buy used (Craigslist etc...) then you can get a better deal. They're a good thing to have. << Which that‘s sad, because it‘s now 7 years old. >> Yes and no. It's sad that most owners don't work on them, but it's kind of not sad, in that it might also be an indication that those cars don't have many problems - that would be nice to know for sure... I'm thinking that it may be a bad coil pack. Those things are known for going bad. At least some of them have moving parts, and they are the link between the rotating assembly of the engine and the ignition timing for whatever cylinder(s) they control. If a moving part in there is worn enough, it will cause the pack to fire the plug at the wrong time (or perhaps not at all), causing the miss. Newer ones might be computer controlled, and contain fewer (or maybe even no) moving parts. LTPHTeamMember writes: << At least you know what tools to have from that forum post. And change all of them plugs since the general rule is they were supposed to be changed at 60,000 miles. >>Not always. Years ago, around the time Soldier's car was manufactured, GM was advertizing that their cars could go 100,000 miles without a tune up - including plugs. They definitely meant the cars with iridium plugs. 60,000 might not hurt, my buddy's truck had well over 100,000 when I changed the plugs, and he said that it started getting way better mileage after that.--Too many chiefs, not enough indica...© Drivaz4life. wypizzagut Apprentice PosterJoined: Mar 2009Posts: 442 2/29/12 12:05:11 AM Could be a coil pack that has failed. Your car has 6 of them. Standard Ignition part # is UF375 and retails for about $62.00. Chain stores may be less as this is professional grade stuff. Boots aren't sold separately like some, these are part of the coil pack. Saw a footnote on your spark plugs: If they are still the O.E. which I'm betting they are, since the car has only 73k on the clock, they came with platinum from the factory, I recommend you stick with those. They ran two different plugs that year: GM # 12565996 which cross references to AC Delco 41-988 gap @ .044 The other is GM # 12597464 which goes to Ac Delco 41-990, do not gap, these are preset already. These go from $6 to $10 a piece. Hopefully you can still see the number on the ceramic part of the plug. Hope this helps--Powder River, Let 'er buck! gregster Delivery JediJoined: Apr 2006Posts: 12,282 2/29/12 7:48:08 AM I don't have a single thing to offer as advice but this: Only accept advice here from drivers that deliver in Cadillacs!--Total posts 11022 Total topics 2001 Soldier Delivery JediJoined: Feb 2007Posts: 10,597 3/2/12 6:19:47 PM Lol Greg. It's the coil pack for the 5th cylinder. Thanks for input guys.--The truth will set you free. << last modified on 3/2/12 7:28:22 PM >> return to top
