Lazy Daze Owners' Group

DIY V10 spark plug change - 2003 LD

June 18, 2014, 08:30:52 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 146989

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Our 2003 LD's engine was built in August 2002, so it had the early heads that were prone to the spark plugs loosening and blowing out. At 80,000, our 2003 23.5' Lazy Daze's V10 was idling rough and I could hear an occasional tick.
 Even though the Factory recommended spark plug change is at 100,000 miles, I decided to do it early...and I'm very glad I did. Both of the rear cylinder's spark plugs were finger tight.
This made me a bit nervous. Happily, all 10 of the new plugs accepted a higher than stock, 28-ft/lbs of torque.
The engine now idles smoothly, with no ticks.
Details below.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157644831463520/show

Larry

Re: DIY V10 spark plug change - 2003 LD

Reply #2 – June 18, 2014, 10:38:34 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 146991

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Larry, how long did it take to change the plugs - start to finish?

Chris

Re: DIY V10 spark plug change - 2003 LD

Reply #4 – June 19, 2014, 01:22:04 am

Yahoo Message Number: 146995

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"How long did it take to change the plugs - start to finish?"

Chris
 Actual work time was about six hours but it was spread over two days and I was doing other things at the same time. I could probably do it in four hours but really don't want to do any of these, it's too much like work It's not a technically difficult job but it is a big job, somewhat physical when it comes to removing and replacing the seats and dog house.
Our LD has a lot of devices mounted to and around the dog house and that added a bit of time to the process. It was a good time to redo a few things, adding even more time to the job.
I removed the seats so I had good access. Having never done this before, I wanted the best view possible. After repairing the rat damage in Lorna's LD, I knew how hard it is to work in the area with the seats in place. With air tools, the seats were in the back of the coach in less than fifth teen minutes. Each seat has one or two electrical plugs that need disconnecting.
When standing in front of the LD and looking in at the engine, there seems there is no access. Removing the air cleaner and the Mass Air Sensor (the round plastic thing that the air filter attaches to), opens up the front. The front two plugs come out of the front.
A few things do need to be moved.
The dip-stick tubes need to be unbolted and moved over.
The PVC valve needs to be pulled out of the driver-side's valve cover (plug the hole) and moved out of the way.
Each cylinder bank has a plastic bracket that covers the fuel injector and coil wires.
Both brackets need to be unbolted, moved inward and tied back to provide access to the
7-mm head screws that hold the coils (COP) in place, and then the spark plugs.
 Other year models may have a different list of things that need attention.
 Hoping to never do this again, I replaced the plugs with Autolite Iridium plugs and new NTK boots. The Factory boots were in fairly good shape and could probably been used again but I already had the replacments.
Rock Auto provided the parts.
The V10 sure has a lot of spark plugs, as many as our other two vehicles combined.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157644831463520/

Larry https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/collections/72157603770063511/

Re: DIY V10 spark plug change - 2003 LD

Reply #6 – June 19, 2014, 10:21:52 am

Yahoo Message Number: 146997

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Sounds about right when I did mine. I think       I pushed the torque to 24. I did not have any loose, but one or       two were beginning to miss on a decent pull up a hill at 50K       miles. Passenger side rear if I believe. Have about 60K on them       now. Probably ought to be changing them again.   They are a pain       to change, but not horrendous.

Chuck 97RB @Hartford IA