plugs/wires/coilpack - engine needs to come out?

[mikey12784]

engine running rich, likely misfiring especially noticeable while idling, talked to a subaru mech, and he suggested plugs/wires/coilpack, but wanted 300$ to do it, as apparently the engine must be removed to do so. True or false? (plllleeeeease be false). i paid 600$ for the car, and i didnt think id have to spend 300$ so soon, and if i DO have to take the motor out, im gonna wait till i get back home, and my friend can prob do it for 1/2 what suby wants

[Hocrest]

No, plugs can be done in the car.

[svxpert]

<<talked to a subaru mech, and he suggested plugs/wires/coilpack, but wanted 300$ to do it, as apparently the engine must be removed to do so. >>

yeah, time to get a mechanic that knows what he's talking about. no wires or coilpack in these cars. he must think your in a Loyale (XT) or something. do the plugs yourself, without removing the engine, plenty of posts on the subject if you search it out. see if the plugs fix it then go from there. these cars have a coil going to each cylinder. no need to replace them until you need to.

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by mikey12784

engine running rich, likely misfiring especially noticeable while idling, talked to a subaru mech, and he suggested plugs/wires/coilpack, but wanted 300$ to do it, as apparently the engine must be removed to do so. True or false? (plllleeeeease be false). i paid 600$ for the car, and i didnt think id have to spend 300$ so soon, and if i DO have to take the motor out, im gonna wait till i get back home, and my friend can prob do it for 1/2 what suby wants

False. Check the how too section on plug replacement. Not easy and is awkward, making it frustrating if you don't keep your cool and take your time.

In particular pay attention to the the rubber boots on the coils. If these are cooked HT shorts to ground occur, regardless of all else being OK.

[mikey12784]

ill try to dig it up and give a read through tomorrow, thanks guys! sorry for my terrible grammar etc, its late here and i worked all day, about to pass out . hopefully its something that i can accomplish w/out too much trouble.

[subarufamily]

it can be done it takes a cool head and read the walk-thru as said above the plugs are ngk or bosch but must be platnium ( i know starting a war suggesting 2 kinds) personally I used NGK and have had awesome results

[YourConfused]

A passed over idea that I have made is to unbolt the nuts for the motor mount to cross member. This has allowed me to jack the motor up several inches and makes the process of removing the coils and plugs really easy, not to mention vcg's.
Why unbolt both mouunts at the same time? Cause it is easy and you are down there anyway. So if the mounts don't line up when going back down, just shake the motor a little. It will fall back in place.

Just my $0.02 take on it.
When you are there inspect the coil, and coil to plug boots or traces of arcing.
White spots and white lines are your visual cue here.

good luck

[ensteele]

Yes, be careful with the coil packs. They are about $85 or more each. Just take your time and you can do it.