If anyone's on today, please answer. What happens if I can only get 4 out of 6 spark plugs changed. It looks like to get the rest I'd need to do something funky with the engine--like drop it.
So, if I can only get 4 spark plugs, and it was running okay to begin with, will the engine run badly or miss?
Would I be better not doing it at all?
spark plug question
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chemist
Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:30 pm
- Location: Pocono Mts, PA
spark plug question
Previous Vans: 1998 Astro, AWD, 138K mi; traded on 2003 Chevy Astro, AWD, 125K mi; traded on
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT, 4x4, ext, long box
2007 Chevy Cobalt
1998 Maza MPV (180K mi and in need of PA inspection--only paid $500!)
Needed: a Gen 2 Astro project vehicle...
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Fire Cakes
- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:16 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: spark plug question
Gearing up for another great camping season 
Camper is re packed and ready to roll.
The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
Camper is re packed and ready to roll.The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
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kings-x59
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1374
- Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:50 pm
- Location: Cypress, Tx
Re: spark plug question
If it was running ok before the new plugs, it'll still run ok if you need to defer the installation of the other two two plugs.
The first time I did the plugs on my van it was an ordeal. The next time I did it, it took much less time.
Two of the plugs on the drivers side I have to install blind, from underneath the van.
The first time I did the plugs on my van it was an ordeal. The next time I did it, it took much less time.
Two of the plugs on the drivers side I have to install blind, from underneath the van.
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
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crash
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1289
- Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:18 am
- Location: Woodstock, Ontario
Re: spark plug question
I'm exactly the same as kings when I had my 94. two are done blind.
the 99 is much easier. all can be done from the wheel wells, even though I had the doghouse off to do the cap and rotor. I saw your other pics showing access on your 03. it looks about the same as my 99. unless there's a difference between your AWD and my 2wd. that I can't answer. never owned and AWD. keep at it and don't forget to breathe, you'll get them eventually.
which two are the ones you are having the problems with getting at?
the 99 is much easier. all can be done from the wheel wells, even though I had the doghouse off to do the cap and rotor. I saw your other pics showing access on your 03. it looks about the same as my 99. unless there's a difference between your AWD and my 2wd. that I can't answer. never owned and AWD. keep at it and don't forget to breathe, you'll get them eventually.
which two are the ones you are having the problems with getting at?
Rob 
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
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92astro
- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 216
- Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:37 pm
- Location: oklahoma
Re: spark plug question
i have a 1992 2 wd astro i just got done doing a tune-up on my van it was soo easy i did 4 plugs through the wheel wells and the other 2 i did through the doghouse real easy!!! less then an hour! i did plugs, wires, dist. cap, roto and pcv valve since i had a new one and had the doghouse off.!! the hardest part was the #5 plug wire it was hard to connect it but got it connected good and tight!!
bryan in oklahoma i have a 1992 chevy astro with 174,000 miles runs and drives very good with a couple of issues nothing major future mods: 350 smallblock v-8 simple and easy!!, tach, rims and others!!current mods:15%tinted windows
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chemist
Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:30 pm
- Location: Pocono Mts, PA
Nevermind
I finally got them--all of them! 
Finished up around 10pm. Those last two that I mentioned were done from underneath. The last one (nearest the cabin on drivers) was the worst. For that one, my wife, who has much skinnier arms and happens to be double jointed reached in and seated the socket. Also did all the wires. And now it runs like new! I'll post a procedure on doghouse removal in general procedures, and updated the spark plugs thread there with tricks for late models when I'm feeling less dead...
Thanks for all the help!
Finished up around 10pm. Those last two that I mentioned were done from underneath. The last one (nearest the cabin on drivers) was the worst. For that one, my wife, who has much skinnier arms and happens to be double jointed reached in and seated the socket. Also did all the wires. And now it runs like new! I'll post a procedure on doghouse removal in general procedures, and updated the spark plugs thread there with tricks for late models when I'm feeling less dead...Thanks for all the help!
Previous Vans: 1998 Astro, AWD, 138K mi; traded on 2003 Chevy Astro, AWD, 125K mi; traded on
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT, 4x4, ext, long box
2007 Chevy Cobalt
1998 Maza MPV (180K mi and in need of PA inspection--only paid $500!)
Needed: a Gen 2 Astro project vehicle...