babyfacefitz Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 On my OBW 98 with a 2.5, it's really hard to get the plug wires off the plug. I've tried plier and vise grips, but I just can't get the any of the set off. I was planning to swap out these lifetime belden NAPA wires. Any advice besides lifting the engine out? Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 On my OBW 98 with a 2.5, it's really hard to get the plug wires off the plug. I've tried plier and vise grips, but I just can't get the any of the set off. I was planning to swap out these lifetime belden NAPA wires. Any advice besides lifting the engine out? Michael Remove the airbox Remove the battery remove the washer tank. return those Belden wires if you bought them already. Buy OEM(prestolite) or NGK I have seen those specific Belden wires cause problems in EJ engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 The above, plus patience, perhaps spark plug pliers, I often use hose pliers. Twist before pulling. Use Subaru replacements, I apply dielectric grease a bit liberally using a Qtip into the plug wire boot and hopefully the connector. Have your vin# when you go to Subaru. I believe some of those the spark plug openings in the heads that the boot fits into are teardropped(don't know the real name) and some square. You may want to do the plugs while you have access. Don't waste all the swear words on just the wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyfacefitz Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 Yes, I'm going to replace the plugs and wires. I did this two years ago and with all the advice about beldens I want to get those out of there. Should I go with iridium NGK or which NGK. I called the dealership and they quoted me $375 for replacing wires and plugs. That sounds insane. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I use and I believe it's the common recommendation. NGK green V grooved. BKR5E-11 I believe they are. They are like 2 bucks a piece. Have GREEN writing on them. Use anti-seize. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgambino Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 when you get them off...let me know how...such a piece of crap design 375.00 for plugs and wires....maybe 60.00 in parts!!! ther is SOME money to be made in the car repair business ehh? almost as bad a hosing as what politicians do.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 IIR wires at the dealer cost me 80-90 bucks? Generics half that or a little more. NGK plugs are like 2 bucks each. Just think of the spark plug swivel socket and socket extension collection that you get to build (if you don't already have them) for this simple job. It's about the only time I use an extension that's roughly an inch. Mine is Snap-on and I don't know if I've seen another brand so short. A swivel head ratchet of some style is also handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 It's about the only time I use an extension that's roughly an inch. Mine is Snap-on and I don't know if I've seen another brand so short. Also, most spark plug sockets have a 3/4"(?) shoulder on their outside. You can use a 3/4 deep socket doubled onto the Spark plug socket. works out better than an extension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyfacefitz Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 I've changed out the plugs once before, but I think I running low on patience. Are the Prestolite just as good as the NGK wires? Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockettbrat Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 +1 for twisting the wires on the spark plug before pulling. I used to just yank until the wire pulled out of the cap, then remove the cap and then pull the metal connector off the spark plug. Now I twist the cap on the spark plug first and then pull and they come right off. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Are the Prestolite just as good as the NGK wires? Michael Most here will say only use OEM Subaru wires, and I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Most here will say only use OEM Subaru wires, and I agree. Prestolite is what you get from Subaru as *OEM* Even though the actual original wires were Yazaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Prestolite is what you get from Subaru as *OEM* Even though the actual original wires were Yazaki No kidding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdjdc Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 The plugs now recommended as OEM are the iridium. I have used them on my 99 outback and they run great. When I did the work, I undid the motor mount on one side and jacked up that side of the motor. It really gives you alot more room to work and seriously cuts down on the frustration and cursing involved. The jacking process only add a few minutes to the job, but with the amount of convenience it adds, I think it is a time saver. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron917 Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Lifting the engine a few inches sounds like a good plan. Last time I did spark plugs on the '99 OBW, the engine was sitting on a pallet on the floor. That made it VERY easy! It's really not a difficult job. Most the time is spend figuring out which combination of sockets and extensions will work for each plug. You'll need to feed the sockets and extensions in piece by piece and assemble snap together in place. The suggestion of using spark plug socket turned by a 3/4" deep socket is a good one - it works very well. I removed the rubber insert from my spark plug socket - I've that stick on the spark plug more than once, and it won't be easy to retrieve from a 2.5 DOHC spark plug well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I undid the motor mount on one side and jacked up that side of the motor. It really gives you alot more room to work and seriously cuts down on the frustration and cursing involved. The jacking process only add a few minutes to the job, but with the amount of convenience it adds, I think it is a time saver. Good luck. cheater cheater cheater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudd Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 sheeesh....twist the wires. Why didn't I ever think of that? Amazing what ya can learn by reading! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyfacefitz Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 Twisting was part of the initial trial phase. The review committee has been meeting and with a break in the schedule tomorrow, the project team with work on the plug wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Twisting was part of the initial trial phase. The review committee has been meeting and with a break in the schedule tomorrow, the project team with work on the plug wires. And a report has been made to the Sargent Of Arms about this "reading" and "learning" thing. It shall be investigated if this constitutes a violation of the Bylaws concerning "instructions and use there of" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudd Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 That helped wake me up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 The plugs now recommended as OEM are the iridium. I have used them on my 99 outback and they run great. When I did the work, I undid the motor mount on one side and jacked up that side of the motor. It really gives you alot more room to work and seriously cuts down on the frustration and cursing involved. The jacking process only add a few minutes to the job, but with the amount of convenience it adds, I think it is a time saver. Good luck. I also vote for Iridium NGK plugs. Great in my EJ22 engine. And with all the hassle associated with changing plugs on the EJ 25, why put in plugs you'll have to replace much sooner than the iridium? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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