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Old 09-21-2015, 12:49 PM   #1
angryspec
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Default 2012 WRX spark plug change

Hey everybody, does anyone know a special trick to changing cylinder #4's spark plug on a 2012 WRX? It looks impossible to me. I spent at least an hour trying to get the coil pack off. The others weren't that bad. There doesn't appear to be enough room to move it out of the way. Anyone have a good tip that doesn't involve jacking the motor up?
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Old 09-21-2015, 07:18 PM   #2
Unabomber
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Take it to Jiffy Lube for their $49 tune up special The back ones can be a pain. In my experience a normal socket is too short and a deep well or the spark plug socket is too deep. The key is the hard to source mid well socket....long enough to reach, yet short enough to get back out without getting trapped on the spark plug and wedged against the firewall. Loosen to where you can finger it out or use a normal socket with your fingers to twist it out. And all motors are different as are some sockets, so fool around until you find the combination that works for you and write that crap down.
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Old 09-21-2015, 11:58 PM   #3
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LOL

Yeah take it to Jiffy Lube.


There's a reason I've got 4 different spark plug sockets, and a dozen different universals and extensions.
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Old 09-22-2015, 08:43 AM   #4
Bacon117
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If you can get a socket on there just to break it loose, a length of fuel hose can slide on to the plug and twist it out. It also makes it easy to put it in. Just make sure the fuel hose fits snugly on the outside portion (the ribbed portion) of the plug.
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Old 09-22-2015, 07:07 PM   #5
angryspec
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Thanks for the info guys. I will bookmark this for the next time I have to change them. I would like to say that I got it out like a boss, but instead I just took it to the dealer. I had that break line recall inspection that I never got around to doing so I had them do it at the same time. FYI I asked the mechanic there what they normally do to change that plug. He said they usually jack the motor a little bit O_o
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Old 09-23-2015, 08:03 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by angryspec View Post
Thanks for the info guys. I will bookmark this for the next time I have to change them. I would like to say that I got it out like a boss, but instead I just took it to the dealer. I had that break line recall inspection that I never got around to doing so I had them do it at the same time. FYI I asked the mechanic there what they normally do to change that plug. He said they usually jack the motor a little bit O_o
That's not terribly unusual. I had an old pontiac van that required removal of an engine mount and rotating the engine forward to do the plugs. Made the job easier, but I laughed because it was still easier to change the water pump than it was to change the spark plugs.
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Old 09-23-2015, 07:07 PM   #7
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That's fairly common for GM sideways V6 engines.

They even put an extra hole in the mount so you can lock it forward.
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Old 09-24-2015, 07:08 PM   #8
srm86
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I pushed the motor a little to the left with a pipe. And still was left loose which caused misfires 4K miles later.
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Old 09-24-2015, 07:21 PM   #9
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Kinda funny. Back in the 90s, for the US models, engines got bigger and bigger, and yet somehow there was more room to work your hand around under the hood.

From 00s or so, with the introduction of turbo models, ej25 and 6-cylinder engines, the things flipped the other way.
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Old 09-27-2015, 11:09 AM   #10
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I'm still lost... The entire point of "precious metal" spark plugs was for no other reason that increased service intervals. 60,000 miles? Really? That's plain old standard issue spark plug intervals. Iridiums, even in forced induction applications are 100,000 mile change intervals. I know these boxers are different, but how freakin' different CAN they be??? In my supercharged car, we change them out every hundred grand, with zero issues. What are you guys doing to your spark plugs? lol.
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Old 09-28-2015, 03:47 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddiiee View Post
I'm still lost... The entire point of "precious metal" spark plugs was for no other reason that increased service intervals. 60,000 miles? Really? That's plain old standard issue spark plug intervals. Iridiums, even in forced induction applications are 100,000 mile change intervals. I know these boxers are different, but how freakin' different CAN they be??? In my supercharged car, we change them out every hundred grand, with zero issues. What are you guys doing to your spark plugs? lol.
There are other reasons than service intervals.

But manufacturers can select plugs with different size pads of precious metal. It all depends on how much they want to pay, and what the replacement target is.
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Old 08-09-2018, 03:31 AM   #12
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So i’m planning to change my spark plug. What spark plugs do I need to buy? Cause There’s alot of options. Found one at rallysportsdirect.com and ebay. And Is there any good tips or tools to use? Sorry newbie here. Thanks in advance
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:12 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nhikkie671 View Post
So i’m planning to change my spark plug. What spark plugs do I need to buy? Cause There’s alot of options. Found one at rallysportsdirect.com and ebay. And Is there any good tips or tools to use? Sorry newbie here. Thanks in advance
It's called " LOOK in your Owner's Manual ".
Your Owner's Manual contains all the basic info you need to start with like plugs, fluid capacities, etc.

If you are talking about specific brands, NGK's are excellent.

You will need, at a minimum, a basic mechanics tool set, including a spark plug socket. You can find these at Sears, Lowes, Home Depot, etc.
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:30 AM   #14
Elbert Bass
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Use the NGK plug specific for your year and model.
The fuel/vacuum hose trick works great for starting the threads.
Get Snap-On S9721A spark plug socket - accept no substitute - only the Snap-On socket is the correct length/diameter/articulation to get in #4


I do left bank from the bottom and right bank from the top.
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Old 06-20-2020, 07:22 AM   #15
Heatstreak96
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A bit late, but I just did mine yesterday and used this video. Once you remove the air pump and the hose it's easy to get to. But I went from under the car soni didn't need to remove the battery

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