Plugs and wires

[Tom]

Has anyone replaced plugs and wires on a JK 3.6L engine? Mine are due and Pollard wants almost $400 for the job. I've replaced them on numerous older vehicles with points and condenser, but never on a newer vehicle. I know some vehicles it seems almost easier to remove the engine than replace plugs. How difficult is it on these vehicles?

Anyone interested in assisting if I decide to do it myself? Won't be until the weather is warmer and more stable. We could do it on your schedule as I have nothing but time on my hands. It's running fine with no misfires so no rush.

Oh and I will have had both my covid vaccine doses before I start this task.

[FINOCJ]

It'll be awhile before I will be back in town, but always happy to help.

[Tom]

Ordered the Chilton manual for my rig today. I’ve had the one that ends in 2011 with the 3.8L cause for the longest time 2012 & + 3.6L didn’t exist in print only electronic subscription.

[Jim]

I can give a hand - care to stop up? ...tools at the ready!

[goSlo]

I had to replace my oil cooler on the 3.6. Went ahead and put new plugs in while doing so.
I didn't mess with the wires though. Wires should be fairly straight forward, one at a time shortest to longest.

What ever plug is closest to the firewall on passenger side (#1?) was a pain to get to.
The others were easy.

One tip, after you get the plug loosened they usually don't want to stay in the socket long enough to get them all the way out.
You can use a plug wire to grab it and pull it out much easier.

I'd be willing to help also, but I'm down here in Falcon.

[FINOCJ]

I would have guessed something as new as the 3.6 would have individual coil packs mounted directly above the plug and be sans plug wires...

[Tom]

FINOCJ previously posted:

[goSlo]

LOL that would explain why I didn't replace any wires, cause they weren't in there!

[Jim]

Tom previously posted:

[Tom]

Jim previously posted:

[Jim]

A decent vid. Thanks.

Upon seeing it - I'll offer a hand / tools / garage / bring tools to you but I'd shy away from handling the small, low voltage wiring.

The throttle assembly in particular - break that connector and the day just took an unpleasant turn. Unlikely that would happen but I'm in the realm of "a man's got to know his limitations" (professionally, I have ceased to replace high resolution screens on computers - too sensitive and too costly).

[Tom]

A better vid showing how to get access to the plugs. Too much effort for me. Thanks for the offer Jim.

[Tom]

Not a good day working on my Jeep today. Did the trans and transfer case fluids no prob. Move on the replacing the serpentine belt. What a total *****, but finally got it done or so I thought. Double checked routing, engine fired right up. No warning lights. So I headed over to the auto store to recycle the fluids. On the way back the new serpentine shredded and took out a couple of the idler pulleys. Guess I didn't get it routed correctly, but I swear to God I did.

Now I am waiting at home for a tow truck to take it to the shop. Gonna have em do the spark plugs as well,

[Jim]

SONOFA...!!!!!

What a pain. Sorry to hear it Tom.

[Tom]

Well this is getting pricey. Have em doing the plugs and wires, serpentine 2 idlers and tensioner, clean injectors, and coolant and hoses. Plus the tow.

Looking like approx $2k to $2.5k

[Tom]

Got it picked up. Right at $2k. Runs great. Looks like they did a good job. Eases my mind about breaking down this summer tremendously. Everything but the idlers and tensioner were routine maintenance items due at 95k miles.

[Bob]

Wow, what a bummer. Glad it’s all back together now and ready for the trail!

[Jim]

Good to hear.

I was on the phone with a buddy who is an independent professional auto mechanic. I told of your woes and the motor/plugs issue. He says - yea (his wife’s) vehicle has the same motor. He doesn’t want to change the plugs on it. He’s planning to kick the job to an employee - Lol.

[Bob]

Speaking of high costs, my GC just developed a radiator leak at 105K miles. It has the 5.7 V8 engine so everything is crammed in the engine compartment and not repair friendly. After looking at videos of how to do it myself I took it to the local shop.

Amazingly it’s over $1000 because of the time involved in getting access to the radiator including evacuating the AC, removing the evaporator, and refilling. Some people say it’s possible to do without disturbing the AC but it sounds like that entails some risk of damage and is time consuming in its own right.

There is also a small seep at one end of the steering rack so someday that will need to be replaced. With the V6 it’s easy to do, with the V8 it’s a nightmare involving raising the engine, removing the subframe, etc.

These aren’t the vehicles from decades ago that you remember working on in the driveway...

Grrrrr.

[Tom]

Bob previously posted: