Changing Spark Plugs on 2009 Aveo

[wylee]

Every 10k km? I'd be wrenching every 8 weeks. I'll plan to change the plugs when I do the belts at 60k...I'm at 38k now. I guess it'd be different if I did a lot of short trips, but my car never starts without driving at least 6 miles.

[gone20]

well I tried again to get at those plugs to no avail - I just cannot see how the connector on the right side is removed from
the device covering the plugs - there is a small gray clip which I managed to remove, but then what? I gently tried to
convince the plug into which the wires go, no joy - I tried to remove in turn the plug into which the wired plug goes, also
no joy. For one thing, there is little room to manuver anything and i don't want to wail on the wired plug cuz sure as shootin'
I'll screw something up. it seems all the comments here indicate this is a piece of cake - well - its a piece of something, but
it ain't cake! Suggestions welcome pls...
Tom

[DOSALOGA]

Iam at mexico city (here not snowing) do you recomending use the bkr15e or bkr6e? (i´m using now the bkr15e and sometimes feels lowest power than bkr6e)

[aveonix]

well I tried again to get at those plugs to no avail - I just cannot see how the connector on the right side is removed from
the device covering the plugs - there is a small gray clip which I managed to remove, but then what? I gently tried to
convince the plug into which the wires go, no joy - I tried to remove in turn the plug into which the wired plug goes, also
no joy. For one thing, there is little room to manuver anything and i don't want to wail on the wired plug cuz sure as shootin'
I'll screw something up. it seems all the comments here indicate this is a piece of cake - well - its a piece of something, but
it ain't cake! Suggestions welcome pls...
Tom

My Aveo has the coil pack hanging off the end of the head and has plug wires, so I can't help much, sorry. If it were me, I would unbolt the coil pack so I could maybe either lift it out of my way and hang it up with a bungee cord or something, or maybe be able to see the plug better and figure out how to unplug it. Also search Google images for a the proper coil pack so you can see what it looks like without the plug attached. Hang in there!

Happy Driving,
Kirk

[aveonix]

Iam at mexico city (here not snowing) do you recomending use the bkr15e or bkr6e? (i´m using now the bkr15e and sometimes feels lowest power than bkr6e)

I personally try to always use stock spec plugs and if they are not working then I assume there is some other problem, but when I use non-stock plugs I try not to go very far from stock in the heat range, usually 2 steps at most. So I would generally go no hotter than a BKR4E and no colder than a BKR8E. I couldn't actually find any specs on the BKR15E plug for the US, but here is a good NGK chart which explains the plug coding:

[gone20]

My Aveo has the coil pack hanging off the end of the head and has plug wires, so I can't help much, sorry. If it were me, I would unbolt the coil pack so I could maybe either lift it out of my way and hang it up with a bungee cord or something, or maybe be able to see the plug better and figure out how to unplug it. Also search Google images for a the proper coil pack so you can see what it looks like without the plug attached. Hang in there!

Happy Driving,
Kirk

thanks, Kirk - the owner of the car shop I do all my business stopped by my work the other day and I talked to him about having
my plugs changed - he said it wouldn't be a problem, even after i explained how unusual the Aveo is, spark plug-wise, to which he replied they subscribe to an online repair source which explains in detail how to do stuff, soooo - then after they complete the job, they can explain to me how to do it for next time - i have been taking my cars there for years and trust them 100%.

[aveonix]

That's cool Tom, they probably have Mitchell System, very handy. Keep in good with those guys and you might find a great source of info when those really tricky issues come up. Glad you'll be able to move on to the next challenge in life, 'cause there always is one it seems.

Happy Driving,
Kirk

[qc4000]

You guys probably know this, but for those who don't, bear in mind that changing the spark plugs doesn't just have fuel economy implications, you might land into more expensive repairs/replacements. I found out the hard way when I had to have the ignition coil replaced after driving on the remaining (still working) cylinders for over 25kms... And yet another time when the coil just quit on me, and I was told the fault was the plugs. Not good.

[aveonix]

So true! A good item to have in the toolbox is a spark plug/ignition tester, available at most auto parts stores for <$10. It won't easily work with the coils atop the plugs setup, but with plug wires one can unplug the wire from the plug or coil, put the tester in line between the wire and plug or coil. It will light up bright if all is well, dimly or not at all if there's a problem. There are other ways to test the plugs, coils or wires, though a bit involved to go into now. Plugs are more expensive than they used to be, but still less expensive than many other parts which might suffer for the lack of a good plugs.

Happy Driving,
Kirk

[PERFECT_ESL]

that piece bolted under the "eco tec" cover in the 09 aveo , and it plugs into the 4 spark plugs. like a piece with 4 legs.


whats the name of it, does that part need to be serviced or replaced? my has 50000 km on it