Every truck person should know how to do essential mechanic work. But some tasks can be pretty daunting if you haven’t done them before. Depending on the vehicle, there can be a slight difference in doing them too.
This article primarily talks about how to remove spark plug wires 2003 Chevy Silverado model. That said, the procedures can be the same for similar trucks or vehicles.
To remove the spark plug wire, you’ve to first grab it tightly with your fingers, then nudge it a few times to remove it.
But only removing won’t do, as it’s probably damaged and you need to replace a new one. No worries, we’ll cover everything there’s to know about removing and replacing spark plug wires in this article.
How to Change Spark Plugs and Wires Chevy Silverado
Before the primary job of twisting and pulling off the spark plug, you’ll need to do a few more things. Let’s go over all of them in detail.
1. Safety Check
Firstly, you should make sure you’ve hand gloves or eye goggles. After you’re done checking, check the spark plug itself. Check the electrode, and make sure it has a gap. The gap should be precisely 0.040.
You can get a spark plug gap tool to measure the gap precisely.
Gap tools are usually made from hard metal, while the spark plug electrode is made from other metals. This is important because if you shove the gap tool too hard, you might damage the electrode.
To be safe, instead of shoving the gap tool on the spark plug, you can just put them side by side and get the approximate gap size.
It’s recommended to check all of the spark plugs to see if they’re all of the same sizes or not.
2. Removing Spark Plug Wire
In terms of how to remove spark plug wires that are stuck, firstly, detach the lower part of the spark plug wire from the spark plug. But before you take it off, make sure your engine is cool enough.
You’ve to twist the spark plug and pull with slight force to detach it. If it’s stuck, use a pair of hose pliers to turn it instead. You should take a look inside to see if there’s any damage, corrosion, or moisture as well.
3. Removing Spark Plug
Get a ⅝ spark plug socket, and put it onto the spark plug. After that, spin it until you feel a slight click. Then turn it to the left side a few times till it fits appropriately.
It’s recommended to use compressed air or an air blower to eliminate dust or debris.
After taking the spark plug out, check the condition, and see if it has any buildup. If it does have buildup, it means you’re not burning proper fuel.
Take your old spark plug, and compare it with your new 2003 Chevy Silverado spark plug wires. You should see if they’re about the same, and check if it’s the same height as well. Get another spark plug with the correct dimensions if it doesn’t look the same.
4. Installation
After you’re sure your spark plug is ready to be used, find the spark plug hole, put it in slowly with your hand, and spin it until it’s tight.
Then you should torque the spark plug. If you’re torquing used or old heads, make sure you’re torquing it to 11-foot pounds.
When torquing to a brand new head or a new engine, you should torque it to 15-foot pounds.
It’s recommended to use dielectric grease on the area of the spark plug wire since it’ll smoothen it out. After you do this, put the spark plug wire on the spark plug, and make sure it clicks in again.
Make sure it’s not going to the exhaust in any way, and make sure you don’t give any tugs.
Your spark plug has now been successfully removed and replaced!
Frequently Asked Questions
An original 2003 Chevy Silverado is usually traded for about $901 – $9,150. Keep in mind prices may vary, as it can be hard to find someone who would sell it.
Chevy Silverado models have 4.3-liter V6, 4.8-liter V8, or 5.3-liter V8 engines. But 2500 models and 1500 HD Crew Cab are exclusively powered by a 6.0-liter V8 engine.
The easiest way to know if your spark plug is damaged is – to check if it has a decrease in power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency. You should immediately change your spark plug wire if you see these issues.
If you go to an auto repair shop to change your spark plug, it’ll usually cost around $60 to $100 for just the labor. The spark plug wire will usually cost $120 to $150 without tax.
However, if you have multiple vehicles and you don’t want to pay a repairman frequently for this task, be sure to purchase spark plug wire removal tool, and get it done at your garage.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you know how to remove spark plug wires 2003 Chevy Silverado. You should now be able to replace it without much struggle.
As a final note, we’d recommend not opting for second-hand parts when it comes to sparking plug wires. These are essential parts, which wear out easily, so second-hand versions may cause you a safety hazard.
