Thank you for demonstrating that this can be done without removing the intake. I have avoided this task for a while because I didn’t want to remove the intake or pay someone >$500 to replace plugs. It was a little more by feel for me because I couldn’t see the back 3 that well, and I had to figure out the best combination of socket extensions to fit in the space, but overall it is pretty straightforward.
Glad to be able to help! I really didn’t want to remove the intake either, and was very happy to be able to do it with it still on. I did have to remove the intake a little while ago to clean the valves and it was actually a very easy process that would potentially speed up the spark plug replacement process enough to make it worth it.
Many thanks for posting. Other videos have stated removing the intake manifold is needed to change the rear plugs. I am glad that is not the case. 2011 Buick Enclave 184k miles UPDATE I tried this yesterday and for 2011 Buick used a different design on the intake manifold than the one in the video. The front coils are impossible to remove with the manifold in place 😢. I did remove and replace the 3 rear coils.
You’re welcome! Yes, everyone else just went ahead and removed the manifold, but I was pleasantly surprised myself when I found out it was possible to work around it.
Thanks for this video, it’s good to know that it can be done without removing the intake plenum. Word of advice, do NOT gap these. The AC Delco 41-109s supposedly come pre-gapped from the factory at 0.043”. That thin iridium tip will snap off and might not see the damage right away. I’m having to redo it after 6 months because the tips are half the size they were originally on a couple. Albeit I used the round gapper but see 1 break while doing it so had to replace it before I even installed it.
Ah, thanks for pointing that out. The instructions for those spark plugs do say to check the factory gap prior to installation, but not to adjust the gap due to the possibility of damage.
Appreciate this video so much. I got new sparks and coil packs and then my buddy says “ you know you gotta take the intake manifold off to do the back three” . Definitely shared this video with him lol thanks again… by the way , I have the 2017 , he had a 2014 and he removed is intake manifold cause someone else told him too
You’re welcome! Haha, yep! I was initially thinking I would have to take off the intake, but happy to be able to figure out how to do it without. I did have to remove the intake a little while back to clean the valves and it was actually a very easy process that would potentially speed up the spark plug replacement process enough to make it worth it. There is the downside of having to replace the intake gasket, but thankfully those aren’t too expensive.
The older models you do have to remove the intake. I have a 2009 Traverse and there is no way this can be done without removing the intake. It seems like GM engineered it better as time went on.
You're welcome! Yes, I was getting worried when I was looking into changing the spark plugs, but decided to attempt it with the intake still on. It made things a bit harder to reach back there, but overall a much faster job.
When I got my 2011 Chevy Traverse LT back in June 2020 it had 151,000 miles on it when I bought it used. Now it has 173,000 miles on it right now after driving it for three years. Spark Plug changing was the first thing that I watch for many many vehicles that I have driven. I hate to take off the Intake Manifold "IF" I don't really have to. I felt my rear end I do have room to fiddle with a ratchet and extension to take them out. BUT with these engines I saw that there were two types of Intake Manifolds, the FAT Silver version and the HARD Plastic version. The vehicle in this video seems to be of a 2012 Model with the Plastic Intake Manifold and the real cast aluminum Intake Manifold belongs to the 2009 to 2011. I just hope on my 2011 that I don't have to remove the Intake Manifold like what I see here of the 2012 Version. 2011 Chevy Traverse have different spark plug electrical connectors too, they have to be pulled off to the side and it not those standard push tabs at all. 2012 version and higher are all push down tab connectors, wish I had them on mine. Main difference in your video is that you explain everything like many people do but in a more simpler term.
Ok, that’s good information to know! And yes, mine is the plastic intake manifold. Unfortunately, slight variations in parts from year to year make it hard to make videos that cover the whole range of that “generation”, but I hope I was able to provide some value to you.
Thank you for actually showing the work being done. I have watched 5 vids all not showing the actual action of the work. Very frustrating. I think they did it that way due to camera issues or they assumed people had done the work before. Which in my opinion is silly to do a how-to video for an audience that “already knows how-to do it.” Point is, I really appreciate the way you did your video. I knew basics but having the actual visual reference helps me feel confident to not screw it up! Thanks again & fantastic vid!!!
Thank you so much! I try to keep all my videos as short as possible while still including all of the steps and pertinent info. I'm a big proponent of watching RUclips prior to tackling a project, so I'm glad to be able to help others with their own projects.
Changed plugs on my 2016. Removed intake to replace. Did it in about 45 minutes. No way in heck was that worth fivehundred smackers the shop wanted to charge me. #HOMIEDONTPLAYDAT
Is the manifold removal required for access to the front or rear spark plugs? The metal manifold in the earlier models appears to be very similar in size, but I don’t have access to one to check.
Thanks for this (Spark Plug Video). hello, is there also at 2017 year have a Block Heater Plug? i see i have 1 that attaches to the block. thanks much for your video & response to me question for me & my family..
A block heater does not come standard with the Traverse. It is an add-on that can be fairly easily installed in the factory port in the rear of the engine. Then, the AC power cable can be routed to wherever on the vehicle you’d like to plug an extension cord into. Here’s the kit (minus zip ties for cable management) from Amazon: amzn.to/3wFwcSt (affiliate link)
You’re welcome! If you had been able to loosen the spark plug, you would have had quite a hard time getting it up and out of those deep wells the spark plugs are buried in. Spark plug sockets are one of those specialty tools that aren’t used very often, but really come in handy when you need them.
@@FixandMaintain One last thing, how did you get the coil packs off? mine seem to not come off .. I was able to replace 2 spark plugs with the coil packs still attached but not the ones that are covered by another cord/piece because i can't release the coil packs , i've tried pulling as hard as i can without trying to break it.
@@TheHarlemWay are you saying you weren’t able to unplug the wiring harness from the coil pack? You have to press the locking tab down on the wiring harness before it will release the plug.
Looks like I'll teach my wife how to do this on the rear spark plugs. My hands are too big to fit between the intake plenum and the plastic cowl cover. I'd remove the plastic cowl cover, but that means removing the wiper arms. She has smaller hands, and it's her car. She should learn how to do this.
Haha, I guess that’s an option. Don’t be scared to pull the intake, though. It’s not that much more involved and also gives you an opportunity to check how clean the intake valves are. Those engines are notorious for gumming the intake valves since it’s a direct injection engine. The only real downside is having to replace the intake manifold gasket, but those are relatively inexpensive.
This will not work on a 2018 Traverse 3.6 the intake manifold will need to be removed to access one spark plug. Different design, throttle body is in back left corner instead of right side in video
Yes, the first generation (what I have in this video) was from 2009-2017. I haven’t had the opportunity to work on a 2018 or newer, so I haven’t seen the clearance for rear spark plugs on the newer body style.
Unfortunately I don’t have one that I could test, but maybe someone else will be able to chime in. If you’re trying to figure out whether or not you should order the intake manifold gasket before attempting the swap, you can take a couple of minutes to see if you have enough room to remove one of the rear coil packs and fit the spark plug socket/extension on without having to remove anything else. Keep in mind that the torque specs in my video are based on the first gen engine, so your model may be slightly different. I would appreciate it if you can post here whether or not you are able to do it with the intake manifold still intact on the 2019!
On a 2019 Chevy Traverse they have two different types of intake manifold designs, because in this video it is for a 3.6L V-6 2012 - 2022 and 2019 Chevy Traverse also have a 2.0L 4 Cylinder TurboCharged.
So, I did have to remove the intake a little while ago to clean the valves and it was actually a very easy process that would potentially speed up the spark plug replacement process enough to make it worth it. There is the downside of having to replace the intake gasket, but thankfully those aren’t too expensive on Amazon.
I have a 2012 Traverse that has an engine light issue that is likely the spark plugs and/or ignition coils showing a misfire. I'm thinking that I might as well change out the coils if I'm going to be replacing the plugs. I've seen sets of 6 that'll fit my vehicle for under $100 which seems reasonable. Thoughts on this?
Sounds like solid reasoning to me! Thankfully it’s not that hard of a job, since the intake doesn’t have to be removed. But since you’ll be pulling the old coils anyway, why not swap them out to try to fix the misfire. Thankfully I haven’t had any misfires on my Traverse. But if I do, I’ll be replacing all 6 coils at the same time.
@@FixandMaintain I don't really feel comfortable doing this job on my own. My dealer will replace all 6 spark plugs and coils for $650. Not sure if that's a good price.
Whether that’s a good price all depends on the cost of labor in your local area. I’m sure the dealership is using OEM parts and possibly charging a markup on that. Going with a reputable local mechanic would probably be less than the dealership. But as long as you have the right tools (particularly important are the torque wrench and spark plug socket, that you can buy fairly cheaply from Harbor Freight), it’s a fairly easy/straightforward job.
@@FixandMaintain First off, your video is fantastic and makes me want to try it. My local shop that I trust quoted me 900-1000 b/c they said they had to take the manifold off (I didn't know what that was until I watched your video). I can get a set of six 41-109 AC Delco spark plugs for $76, but I can't tell what are OEM ignition coils. From places like autozone, oreilly, advanceautoparts, etc. it looks like the cheapest I could get would be around $50 each or $300+ for 6. If we call it $400 for parts, I'd much rather have my dealership do it professionally for $250. Mostly b/c what would take you a couple hours will likely take me all day, especially the back side that I can't see clearly with my big hands. I'd also have to buy the specialized tools you mention. Not sure what Texas labor costs are exactly though.
Looks like on Amazon, the D515C ignition coils are currently $55.91 each, which would be $335.46 for 6 plus $50 for all the 41-109 spark plugs at $8.36 each. But yes, it would only be around $250 in savings doing it yourself versus having the dealership do the service.
I’m not sure if the clearance will be the same for changing the back plugs, as that is a different body style, but it does use the same spark plugs and torque specs.
I mean, there is a chance they could do the job faster with removing the intake. So if they can do a job faster AND charge more money, why would they not pick that option?
Absolutely the best video I've seen for this job. Short, simple, to the point.
Thanks!
I stared at my 2012 Acadia and wondered why every video on You Tube had the intake manifold coming off. What was I missing? Nothing! I subbed!
Haha, yep. Thanks!
Thank you for demonstrating that this can be done without removing the intake. I have avoided this task for a while because I didn’t want to remove the intake or pay someone >$500 to replace plugs. It was a little more by feel for me because I couldn’t see the back 3 that well, and I had to figure out the best combination of socket extensions to fit in the space, but overall it is pretty straightforward.
Glad to be able to help! I really didn’t want to remove the intake either, and was very happy to be able to do it with it still on. I did have to remove the intake a little while ago to clean the valves and it was actually a very easy process that would potentially speed up the spark plug replacement process enough to make it worth it.
Perfect video - no nonsense, detailed, thorough and informative.
Thanks, glad it was helpful!
Great quality video and a very good accurate procedure👍🏼
Thank you!
Very well done. Thank you. This helped me immensely.
You’re welcome!
Many thanks for posting. Other videos have stated removing the intake manifold is needed to change the rear plugs. I am glad that is not the case.
2011 Buick Enclave 184k miles
UPDATE I tried this yesterday and for 2011 Buick used a different design on the intake manifold than the one in the video. The front coils are impossible to remove with the manifold in place 😢. I did remove and replace the 3 rear coils.
You’re welcome! Yes, everyone else just went ahead and removed the manifold, but I was pleasantly surprised myself when I found out it was possible to work around it.
Thanks for this video, it’s good to know that it can be done without removing the intake plenum. Word of advice, do NOT gap these. The AC Delco 41-109s supposedly come pre-gapped from the factory at 0.043”. That thin iridium tip will snap off and might not see the damage right away. I’m having to redo it after 6 months because the tips are half the size they were originally on a couple. Albeit I used the round gapper but see 1 break while doing it so had to replace it before I even installed it.
Ah, thanks for pointing that out. The instructions for those spark plugs do say to check the factory gap prior to installation, but not to adjust the gap due to the possibility of damage.
Do not trust the factory.
Appreciate this video so much. I got new sparks and coil packs and then my buddy says “ you know you gotta take the intake manifold off to do the back three” . Definitely shared this video with him lol thanks again… by the way , I have the 2017 , he had a 2014 and he removed is intake manifold cause someone else told him too
You’re welcome! Haha, yep! I was initially thinking I would have to take off the intake, but happy to be able to figure out how to do it without. I did have to remove the intake a little while back to clean the valves and it was actually a very easy process that would potentially speed up the spark plug replacement process enough to make it worth it. There is the downside of having to replace the intake gasket, but thankfully those aren’t too expensive.
The older models you do have to remove the intake. I have a 2009 Traverse and there is no way this can be done without removing the intake. It seems like GM engineered it better as time went on.
Thanks a million for this! I was thinking i had to remove the upper intake
You're welcome! Yes, I was getting worried when I was looking into changing the spark plugs, but decided to attempt it with the intake still on. It made things a bit harder to reach back there, but overall a much faster job.
Excellent complete description with details and numbers 👋🌺
Thank you! I like to be as thorough as possible!
When I got my 2011 Chevy Traverse LT back in June 2020 it had 151,000 miles on it when I bought it used. Now it has 173,000 miles on it right now after driving it for three years. Spark Plug changing was the first thing that I watch for many many vehicles that I have driven. I hate to take off the Intake Manifold "IF" I don't really have to. I felt my rear end I do have room to fiddle with a ratchet and extension to take them out. BUT with these engines I saw that there were two types of Intake Manifolds, the FAT Silver version and the HARD Plastic version. The vehicle in this video seems to be of a 2012 Model with the Plastic Intake Manifold and the real cast aluminum Intake Manifold belongs to the 2009 to 2011. I just hope on my 2011 that I don't have to remove the Intake Manifold like what I see here of the 2012 Version. 2011 Chevy Traverse have different spark plug electrical connectors too, they have to be pulled off to the side and it not those standard push tabs at all. 2012 version and higher are all push down tab connectors, wish I had them on mine.
Main difference in your video is that you explain everything like many people do but in a more simpler term.
Ok, that’s good information to know! And yes, mine is the plastic intake manifold.
Unfortunately, slight variations in parts from year to year make it hard to make videos that cover the whole range of that “generation”, but I hope I was able to provide some value to you.
Thank you for actually showing the work being done. I have watched 5 vids all not showing the actual action of the work. Very frustrating. I think they did it that way due to camera issues or they assumed people had done the work before. Which in my opinion is silly to do a how-to video for an audience that “already knows how-to do it.” Point is, I really appreciate the way you did your video. I knew basics but having the actual visual reference helps me feel confident to not screw it up! Thanks again & fantastic vid!!!
Thank you so much! I try to keep all my videos as short as possible while still including all of the steps and pertinent info. I'm a big proponent of watching RUclips prior to tackling a project, so I'm glad to be able to help others with their own projects.
Changed plugs on my 2016. Removed intake to replace. Did it in about 45 minutes. No way in heck was that worth fivehundred smackers the shop wanted to charge me.
#HOMIEDONTPLAYDAT
Nice. I get why businesses have to charge as much as they do because of overhead costs, but it’s still way too much for me when I can do it myself.
Excellent video, thank you!
You’re welcome!
Great video. Congrats.
Thanks!
Thank you very much
You’re welcome!
La traverse 2009 hay que sacar el manifold,
Is the manifold removal required for access to the front or rear spark plugs? The metal manifold in the earlier models appears to be very similar in size, but I don’t have access to one to check.
Have you ever done power steering pump
Thankfully not on the Traverse, but if I do, I’ll make a video for it.
Thanks for this (Spark Plug Video). hello, is there also at 2017 year have a Block Heater Plug? i see i have 1 that attaches to the block. thanks much for your video & response to me question for me & my family..
A block heater does not come standard with the Traverse. It is an add-on that can be fairly easily installed in the factory port in the rear of the engine. Then, the AC power cable can be routed to wherever on the vehicle you’d like to plug an extension cord into.
Here’s the kit (minus zip ties for cable management) from Amazon: amzn.to/3wFwcSt (affiliate link)
I prefer not taking out all of the plugs at one time, so as nothing will drop in a cylinder that I am not working on,
Sounds like a good plan
Thanks
You’re welcome!
Do you have a video showing how to change the spark plugs on a 2018 Chevy traverse?
Sorry, I do not.
Where is spark plug # 3 I need to change that one
I believe #3 is the center cylinder on the back side of the engine.
Thank you so much i saw another video that was a bit more intimidating with taking the intake off this is awesomeness at its finest happy holidays 🎉
You’re welcome!
The 5/8 socket doesn’t connect onto my spark plugs unfortunately.. it keeps slipping every time I turn to try and loosen it
Is it a spark plug socket (with a rubber boot inside to assist in lifting the old plug out) or simply a 5/8” deep-well socket?
Deep well socket, thank you so much for giving me that information as I just got any 5/8 socket and didn’t pay attention to the “spark plug” socket.
You’re welcome! If you had been able to loosen the spark plug, you would have had quite a hard time getting it up and out of those deep wells the spark plugs are buried in. Spark plug sockets are one of those specialty tools that aren’t used very often, but really come in handy when you need them.
@@FixandMaintain One last thing, how did you get the coil packs off? mine seem to not come off .. I was able to replace 2 spark plugs with the coil packs still attached but not the ones that are covered by another cord/piece because i can't release the coil packs , i've tried pulling as hard as i can without trying to break it.
@@TheHarlemWay are you saying you weren’t able to unplug the wiring harness from the coil pack? You have to press the locking tab down on the wiring harness before it will release the plug.
Them ignition coils did not want to come off x.x
If you do put some dielectric grease on the boots, hopefully they will come off a bit easier next time.
Looks like I'll teach my wife how to do this on the rear spark plugs. My hands are too big to fit between the intake plenum and the plastic cowl cover. I'd remove the plastic cowl cover, but that means removing the wiper arms. She has smaller hands, and it's her car. She should learn how to do this.
Haha, I guess that’s an option. Don’t be scared to pull the intake, though. It’s not that much more involved and also gives you an opportunity to check how clean the intake valves are. Those engines are notorious for gumming the intake valves since it’s a direct injection engine. The only real downside is having to replace the intake manifold gasket, but those are relatively inexpensive.
This will not work on a 2018 Traverse 3.6 the intake manifold will need to be removed to access one spark plug. Different design, throttle body is in back left corner instead of right side in video
Yes, the first generation (what I have in this video) was from 2009-2017. I haven’t had the opportunity to work on a 2018 or newer, so I haven’t seen the clearance for rear spark plugs on the newer body style.
i have a 2019 traverse with smiliar motor. 3.6 engine VVT is the replacement gonna be the same without removing the intake manifold...
Unfortunately I don’t have one that I could test, but maybe someone else will be able to chime in. If you’re trying to figure out whether or not you should order the intake manifold gasket before attempting the swap, you can take a couple of minutes to see if you have enough room to remove one of the rear coil packs and fit the spark plug socket/extension on without having to remove anything else.
Keep in mind that the torque specs in my video are based on the first gen engine, so your model may be slightly different.
I would appreciate it if you can post here whether or not you are able to do it with the intake manifold still intact on the 2019!
On a 2019 Chevy Traverse they have two different types of intake manifold designs, because in this video it is for a 3.6L V-6 2012 - 2022 and 2019 Chevy Traverse also have a 2.0L 4 Cylinder TurboCharged.
So with the 2019 v6, can you still do the plugs without taking the intake off like the video?
2019 and above you HAVE to remove the intake 😢
So, I did have to remove the intake a little while ago to clean the valves and it was actually a very easy process that would potentially speed up the spark plug replacement process enough to make it worth it. There is the downside of having to replace the intake gasket, but thankfully those aren’t too expensive on Amazon.
I have a 2012 Traverse that has an engine light issue that is likely the spark plugs and/or ignition coils showing a misfire. I'm thinking that I might as well change out the coils if I'm going to be replacing the plugs. I've seen sets of 6 that'll fit my vehicle for under $100 which seems reasonable. Thoughts on this?
Sounds like solid reasoning to me! Thankfully it’s not that hard of a job, since the intake doesn’t have to be removed. But since you’ll be pulling the old coils anyway, why not swap them out to try to fix the misfire.
Thankfully I haven’t had any misfires on my Traverse. But if I do, I’ll be replacing all 6 coils at the same time.
@@FixandMaintain I don't really feel comfortable doing this job on my own. My dealer will replace all 6 spark plugs and coils for $650. Not sure if that's a good price.
Whether that’s a good price all depends on the cost of labor in your local area. I’m sure the dealership is using OEM parts and possibly charging a markup on that. Going with a reputable local mechanic would probably be less than the dealership.
But as long as you have the right tools (particularly important are the torque wrench and spark plug socket, that you can buy fairly cheaply from Harbor Freight), it’s a fairly easy/straightforward job.
@@FixandMaintain First off, your video is fantastic and makes me want to try it. My local shop that I trust quoted me 900-1000 b/c they said they had to take the manifold off (I didn't know what that was until I watched your video). I can get a set of six 41-109 AC Delco spark plugs for $76, but I can't tell what are OEM ignition coils. From places like autozone, oreilly, advanceautoparts, etc. it looks like the cheapest I could get would be around $50 each or $300+ for 6. If we call it $400 for parts, I'd much rather have my dealership do it professionally for $250. Mostly b/c what would take you a couple hours will likely take me all day, especially the back side that I can't see clearly with my big hands. I'd also have to buy the specialized tools you mention. Not sure what Texas labor costs are exactly though.
Looks like on Amazon, the D515C ignition coils are currently $55.91 each, which would be $335.46 for 6 plus $50 for all the 41-109 spark plugs at $8.36 each. But yes, it would only be around $250 in savings doing it yourself versus having the dealership do the service.
would this be the same for 2018 Chevy Traverse?
I’m not sure if the clearance will be the same for changing the back plugs, as that is a different body style, but it does use the same spark plugs and torque specs.
Definitely a tighter area on the 2018, I don’t see how you can do it without pulling the top intake.
Are these the same for a 2016 Traverse?
Yes. I can’t guarantee the clearance will be the same for the back plugs, as it’s a different body style, but the spark plugs are the same.
My spark plugs must be jammed because I can’t get them out with the 5/8
Are you having trouble breaking them loose like they were torqued down too much or was the 5/8” spark plug socket not fitting?
Seems like they were torqued down too much
That’s not good. Were you able to get them changed ok?
I gave up for the day.. wrist was starting to hurt trying. I used wd40 and I’ll wait until the morning time to try again.
@@TheHarlemWay did you use a "deep well spark plug socket" or just a regular 5/8th socket
I called a shop they said the intake manifold gasket had to come off smh so called professionals
I mean, there is a chance they could do the job faster with removing the intake. So if they can do a job faster AND charge more money, why would they not pick that option?
@FixandMaintain told me it was gonna take 5 to 6 hours cuz they had to remove it. I know bs when I hear it