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Old 07-13-2003, 07:29 PM   #1
Keith99RS
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Default Changing Sparkplugs

How the heck do you get to the sparkplugs on a 1997 Legacy Outback?? I did my 99 RS with no problem. I just needed to remove the washer reservoir and the airbox. On the Outback there seems to be part of the fender blocking off access to the plug holes or the engine sits lower or something. Thanks in advance for any help!!!
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Old 07-13-2003, 08:05 PM   #2
Peaty
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I had a 97 OB limited. If I remember right the only way I could get to a couple of the plugs was to put each part down the sparkplug hole, one at a time. First the socket, then a 1/2" extension, then a 3" one then hooked on a spark plug ratchet - the type with a head that bends. The hard part was taking it apart after the plug was loose. I had to stick a long flat blade screwdriver down there between the sections and turn it to seperate them. Getting the plug out I used one of these:



I thought it would be easier than my 99RS but it wasn't that's why when I changed the plugs on the OB I put in Plats and not copper. I didn't want to have to change them as often because it was much more a PITA to do
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Old 07-16-2003, 07:40 PM   #3
Keith99RS
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Thanks Peaty, your advice helped out a lot!! It was quite the job getting the plugs in and out. It wasn't any easier thanks to the dealer giving me the wrong friggin wires ! Once I got all the right parts it took me about 45min-1hr to change them out and replace the wires. Last set was installed by a dealership and the gaps were all over the place and I think one of the wires was on the wrong cylinder. Probably what had been causing the intermitant CEL to go off. Installed some platinums for the same reason as you and all is good. Purrs like a kitten! Thanks again for your help!!
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Old 07-19-2003, 05:03 PM   #4
Matt
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Question

I know it can be a pain to do the plugs. I've heard the the body spacers make it harder to get to the plugs. Any truth to that statement?
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Old 07-19-2003, 05:12 PM   #5
Keith99RS
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If by body spacers you mean the ledge along the fender blocking direct access to the sparkplug holes(see picture in post, blue area to the left of the plug tip)? Yes it does! I figured the Legacy was wider than my RS and I should have more room. Wrong! That ledge really limits the access. Just look at Peaty's advice and use some patience and all will be good.
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Old 07-19-2003, 05:27 PM   #6
Peaty
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Have you looked at the H6?

Lets just say I'm not looking forward to doing that one.

This will be me:


During changing the plugs

After
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Old 08-04-2003, 04:03 AM   #7
bcsooby
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Default CEL came on after I changed plugs/wires/filter

Keith,

I saw your posting about the CEL coming on after you replaced the plugs and the spark plug wires. I have a 98' OB Limited and I changed the spark plugs and wires on the same day (from NKG plugs to Bosh Platinum +4 and from factory wires to Bosh). I started the car and the engine started idling around 3k r.p.m.s. After a few minutes it settled down to normal and I took the car for a spin. Everything was O.K. Started it up again and it was fine! Next day I changed the air filter to a K&H from a standard paper filter and I started it up and it was idling high again and that's when the CEL came on. The r.p.m.s went back down to .5k and I drove it to work. The next time I started the car it was fine and the CEL was off!? I assume that the high idle was from a better spark from the spark plug change and from a better air flow through the new filter? Why did the CEL come on? Does it have anything to do with the spark plug wires? Do they need to be put on a certain way or was it just from idling high and now it's fine? Does the idle have to be adjusted in any way?

I'm not a super genius when it comes to cars, but I like to take car of mine and I like to know what is going on. Please let me know if you have any idea what's happening.

Thanks,

Bryan
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Old 08-05-2003, 04:05 PM   #8
Paisan
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Quote:
Originally posted by Peaty
Have you looked at the H6?

Lets just say I'm not looking forward to doing that one.

This will be me:


During changing the plugs

After
Yes the H6s (other than the EJ27) are a PITA. I know they are a real pain on my SVX, glad my uncle had em done at the dealer before I got the car from him!

-mike
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Old 08-05-2003, 04:08 PM   #9
Paisan
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Default Re: CEL came on after I changed plugs/wires/filter

Quote:
Originally posted by bcsooby
Keith,

I saw your posting about the CEL coming on after you replaced the plugs and the spark plug wires. I have a 98' OB Limited and I changed the spark plugs and wires on the same day (from NKG plugs to Bosh Platinum +4 and from factory wires to Bosh). I started the car and the engine started idling around 3k r.p.m.s. After a few minutes it settled down to normal and I took the car for a spin. Everything was O.K. Started it up again and it was fine! Next day I changed the air filter to a K&H from a standard paper filter and I started it up and it was idling high again and that's when the CEL came on. The r.p.m.s went back down to .5k and I drove it to work. The next time I started the car it was fine and the CEL was off!? I assume that the high idle was from a better spark from the spark plug change and from a better air flow through the new filter? Why did the CEL come on? Does it have anything to do with the spark plug wires? Do they need to be put on a certain way or was it just from idling high and now it's fine? Does the idle have to be adjusted in any way?

I'm not a super genius when it comes to cars, but I like to take car of mine and I like to know what is going on. Please let me know if you have any idea what's happening.

Thanks,

Bryan

Not sure about the outbacks per-say. But I know the +4s on the Isuzu Troopers with the 3.5L engine are a no-no because they throw CELs due to the computer getting confused due to the +4s. On the Isuzus however they are direct fire rather than wires so I'm not sure if that effects it. I'd hit an Autozone if it comes back they'll read the CEL for you for free.

-mike
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Old 08-05-2003, 04:13 PM   #10
Peaty
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I had the +4's in my 97 OB, they didn't seem to help or hinder. However when I replaced them after about 30K I could see that one of the 4 were being used more than the others. I think a single plat would be better myself. I switched the OB to that.

New sparkplugs and wires won't effect the idle if they are in good shape. Something else is going on I'm not sure what though.
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