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03-09-04, 07:11 AM
#1
rbaumer
Spark plug change
I have a 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser and for the life of me I can't get at the plugs on the rear of the engine closest to the firewall.. Some "mechanics" have told me that I need to remove 2 dogbone supports and rotate the engine towards the radiator.. But I can't find more than the mount on the top front of the engine on the passenger side of the engine compartment.. Any info would be greatly appreciated..Engine is a 3.1 V6 front wheel drive..
Thanx
Bob
Thanx
Bob
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,531
03-09-04, 08:00 AM
#2
Some of the pro tool companies make a special double jointed Spark plug socket that I think makes this job easier.
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03-09-04, 09:03 AM
#3
rbaumer
Re: Spark plug change
I have all the doublejointed/swivel tools available to me.. The issue is I can't get my hands on the spark plug boot with enough
leverage to get the boots off.. They are to close to the firewall hence the rumor that the engine will swivel once the dogbones are disconnected.. If this is what is supposed to happen on these engines a rotatation of 3" will give me enough room to get at the spark plug boot.. I'm just trying to find out if the loosening of these mounts ia what is supposed to be done to change the plugs and if there are 1 or 2 of them..1994 Olds Cutlass Crusier 3.1 V6 FWD
Bob
leverage to get the boots off.. They are to close to the firewall hence the rumor that the engine will swivel once the dogbones are disconnected.. If this is what is supposed to happen on these engines a rotatation of 3" will give me enough room to get at the spark plug boot.. I'm just trying to find out if the loosening of these mounts ia what is supposed to be done to change the plugs and if there are 1 or 2 of them..1994 Olds Cutlass Crusier 3.1 V6 FWD
Bob
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,531
03-09-04, 09:43 AM
#4
OK
Take the dog bone out , put it in park and push against the front bumber.
Some of them have a hole on the mount where the dog attaches to put a pry bar in.
Take the dog bone out , put it in park and push against the front bumber.
Some of them have a hole on the mount where the dog attaches to put a pry bar in.
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03-09-04, 10:22 AM
#5
rbaumer
I did try that over the weekend and was unable to rotate the engine which gets me back to the question of is there 1 or 2 of these dogbones. I will try again tonight and I do appreciate your response it just seems that something like another db is stopping it from turning I just cant find it..
Bob
Bob
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,320
03-09-04, 10:26 AM
#6
2 dogbones, passenger and driver
Remove the strut to engine bracket bolts
After swinging them out of the way, put the bolt back into the passenger side bone and stick a prybar in there to rotate it forward untill you can stick the other bolt through the "slave hole" on driver's side torque strut and bracket to hold it there
I think it may need to be in neutral-block the wheels
It is a PITA and a helper might be needed
or a giant crowbar
or a block and tackle
or all three
Torque the strut to engine bolts to 50ft-lbs when you put them back in
You may need to move the coolant recovery tank and the air intake ductwork
Remove the strut to engine bracket bolts
After swinging them out of the way, put the bolt back into the passenger side bone and stick a prybar in there to rotate it forward untill you can stick the other bolt through the "slave hole" on driver's side torque strut and bracket to hold it there
I think it may need to be in neutral-block the wheels
It is a PITA and a helper might be needed
or a giant crowbar
or a block and tackle
or all three
Torque the strut to engine bolts to 50ft-lbs when you put them back in
You may need to move the coolant recovery tank and the air intake ductwork
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03-09-04, 10:44 AM
#7
rbaumer
Thanx for the response
I'm getting the impression that this other "dogbone" is perhaps under the air intake ducting? and on the front(?) side (nearest the radiator) of the engine.. Is that correct?
Bob
I'm getting the impression that this other "dogbone" is perhaps under the air intake ducting? and on the front(?) side (nearest the radiator) of the engine.. Is that correct?
Bob
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,345
TX
03-09-04, 04:22 PM
#8
NO fun
Just seems like no fun anymore to tinker with cars these days just look at all the stuff you have to do to change plugs it really gets to me.Today I went to change the front turn signal bulb on the drivers side front On a 96 Buick skylark what a pain in the butt.
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,320
03-09-04, 07:13 PM
#9
rbaumer-
It sounds like your in the right area-is there nothing to the left of the air intake box/ducting? you should be able to see it without removing anything
Is there a radiator hose there? check under that
Both bones should (almost) look like they are attached to the top of the radiator, and should be parallel-one on either side of the engine
michael van-
I miss my '72 Cutlass
Even with that 350 in it you, me, and rbaumer could fit in the engine bay to change the plugs
With a pizza & a 6-pack!
It sounds like your in the right area-is there nothing to the left of the air intake box/ducting? you should be able to see it without removing anything
Is there a radiator hose there? check under that
Both bones should (almost) look like they are attached to the top of the radiator, and should be parallel-one on either side of the engine
michael van-
I miss my '72 Cutlass
Even with that 350 in it you, me, and rbaumer could fit in the engine bay to change the plugs
With a pizza & a 6-pack!
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03-10-04, 06:33 AM
#10
rbaumer
Slickshift,
I really appreciate your help with this.. I looked last night after work to try to find this other dogbone... I still can't locate it. But it has become a moot point and is scheduled to go to the dealer next Tuesday for the tune-up..It really irks me to pay $100 plus dollars for $9 worth of plugs and a few filters.. I'm gonna look under the radiator hose as you suggested..
Thanx again
Bob
I really appreciate your help with this.. I looked last night after work to try to find this other dogbone... I still can't locate it. But it has become a moot point and is scheduled to go to the dealer next Tuesday for the tune-up..It really irks me to pay $100 plus dollars for $9 worth of plugs and a few filters.. I'm gonna look under the radiator hose as you suggested..
Thanx again
Bob
