Two In One Change Spark and COolant

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BIGDOGGYBALLER

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I want to change my spark plugs and I got some auto light double platinum I think I can do this no problem but have never done any pointers?

And I think there isnt any coolant in my engine and I heard something about burping it and making sure there is coolant in the engine and now just the resivour how do I do this ?

Thanks
 
If you don't have coolent, it will overheat in a VERY short time!! Must just be low....Do NOT add at the overflow tank, fill at the crossover tube until it starts adding to the overflow tank. Run it until hot, then do it again until the low coolent light does not come on anymore.
 
Thanks man, any idea how I change the spark plugs. I know this should be easy, but I can't seem to find them.

normally cars have wires going to the plugs now I cant even make sense of anything. I think I see the fuel injectors or maybe those are the plugs.
 
Your 97 Mark has coil on plug (COP) ignition.

The coils and plugs are under the small covers on top of the cam/valve covers.

Remove the small covers, ulplug the coil wire from the coil and while twisting a little bit, pull the coil and boot off of the sparkplug. You should inspect the rubber coil boot for any rotting or cracking. They are available separatley from the coil if you have any bad ones.

When replacing the plugs, I always use a little bit of anti seize on the threads. Torque the plugs to 9-20 N-m.

Also you should apply dielectric grease to the coil boots when you put them back on the sparkplugs.
 
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As you haven't touched them in a while, you will probably have at least one cracked rubber boot. Don't let any parts place tell you you have to replace the coil AND the boot. The boots are available seperately!!
 
Yeah so far every place has said I have to buy them complete. Auto Zone, Thrify. Havn't tried Shucks yet.

Where do you get your boots? I havn't tried the dealerships yet.
 
BIGDOGGYBALLER said:
nevermind figured it out, but damn my spark plugs are covered with oil.
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It is common for the head gaskets to leak oil, as long as there is not too much oil you should be ok. I check mine once a year, or about every 12k miles then clean out the plug wells.
 
I'm no mechanic just learning. The wells are the holes where I put the plugs.

How would you clean it?

This is going to be my first car I will try and do all the work myself.
 
Before you remove the plugs, use an air compressor and blow the residual oil out of the plug well before removing the plug.

Blow air down the hole, and use a rag over the hole to keep from blowing oil all over the place, and into your face.
Wear eye protection!!!!
AND... before you blow the air in the hole, TURN YOUR HEAD.

Kinda like the "Turn your head and cough" procedure.

As for your learning, this is a very complicated car.. dont get discouraged and try to cut corners...
Just go slow and easy and you should learn ALOT.

When I got my first car, I didn't know how to change a flat tire.
The first car was a FORD, so by default.. I learned ALOT about cars in a very short time.

Good luck and remember you have a whole message board full of people that will gladly give you advice, and tips to keep you pointed in the right direction.
 
i really f'd up the other day by adding water and left the cap off - all coolant was lost - use just water filled it up by the tank and ran it , worked fine for a week (recently added anti-freeze coolant today)
 
BlackMark8 said:
i really f'd up the other day by adding water and left the cap off - all coolant was lost - use just water filled it up by the tank and ran it , worked fine for a week (recently added anti-freeze coolant today)
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Plain water is just fine short term...and if it doesn't get below freezing where you are.

I run only 15% coolant in CA because it never gets below freezing.
 
I get paid in a couple days and will attempt the coolant fill / oil clean up...I might be running to the message boards for help when I blow my car up though...hahah
 
Proly have a leaking valve cover gasket. This happened to me on one side. The engine started to miss and check engine light came on. The oil compromised a couple of boots which is why it started to miss. You may have caught it in time. Which side, both or just one?
 
logres said:
Plain water is just fine short term...and if it doesn't get below freezing where you are.

I run only 15% coolant in CA because it never gets below freezing.
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Actually Wayne, you should be running a minimum 40% mixture. You have a LOT of aluminum that the coolent touches. Plain water will really screw up your system by flaking the aluminum and depositing it into your radiator core. Also, a mixture of antifreeze and water isn't called COOLENT for nothing. It also increases the temp that water BOILS!
 
budpytko said:
Actually Wayne, you should be running a minimum 40% mixture. You have a LOT of aluminum that the coolent touches. Plain water will really screw up your system by flaking the aluminum and depositing it into your radiator core. Also, a mixture of antifreeze and water isn't called COOLENT for nothing. It also increases the temp that water BOILS!
Click to expand...

Hmmm...I'll have to look into that then.

As for the boiling point, you are right. But...water conducts heat better than coolant, so it will remove heat from the engine faster.
 
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