Spark Plugs for Dummy Mechanics

Good luck finding those spark plugs, much less reaching them

If you ever want to weep in frustration, we suggest that you try to perform your own maintenance on a modern motor vehicle. If you ever get the chance to look at the engine compartment of, say, a '57 Chevy, take a look: you'll be amazed at how accessible everything was in those days! No wonder people changed their own oil and tuned up their own engines. Heck, our founder even changed water pumps and starters! No more, though... which is why we were a bit confused to see Kate Daily (sometimes known as wolfy) telling her AxleAddict.com readers "How to Replace Spark Plugs." Why? Because we were pretty sure she'd never done it herself...

Daily's unfamiliarity with spark plugs is pretty clear even in her introduction. That's where she explains what spark plugs are:

"Spark plugs fire a spark that ignites the gasoline in your vehicle to power the pistons that turn your vehicle axles."

Kate left out a couple of steps in the drivetrain, not to mention that only some vehicles have multiple axles driven by the engine – in the rest, the wheels turn freely. Next, she explains that,

"In order to maintain top performance of your vehicle, it is pertinent [sic] that you replace your spark plugs approximately every 100,000 miles."

Besides misusing "pertinent," Daily botches that claim: the manufacturer of the engine sets the replacement interval, which is not always 100,000 miles. From that point on, Kate's instructions occasionally border on the hilarious:

• "Verify that the engine is turned off...": Does she really think someone would try to replace the plugs on a running engine?
• "If you are still having trouble locating the spark plug wires, consult your vehicle manual for the exact location of each spark plug for reference.": No, Kate, that information's not in the owner's manual. Hell, even repair manuals figure anyone working on an engine is smart enough to find spark plugs! The hard part is reaching the damned things.
• "When you bought your spark plugs they probably asked you if you want 'pre-gaped' spark plugs or not.": No, Kate, they didn't ask you if you want the plugs "pre-gaped" or, for that matter, pre-gapped. The most common gap for the plugs is (usually) printed on the box. You just need to check each one to be certain.
• "...remove the spark plug wire from the plug itself. Make sure to remove the wire by pulling on the actual wire boot instead of the wire itself. The wire will just pop off with a little pulling by hand.": What if it's a screw-on boot, Kate?
• "Do not over tighten the spark plugs or engine misfire may occur, a little more than "snug" is fine.": Ever heard of a torque wrench, Kate?

When all is said and done, it's pretty obvious that Daily's never actually replaced her own spark plugs – maybe never even watched her SO do it. Rewording instructions someone else wrote (possibly someone else who's never changed plugs) does not qualify a freelancer as an "expert." It merely qualifies a freelancer for Dumbass of the Day.

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