Changing spark plugs on a 2004 Tahoe-- easy?

[tahoe2967]

Hello, I am new to this site and just looking for some guidance on doing some maintenance on my car myself. My 2004 Z71 Tahoe would not start yesterday, it will turn over and everything powers on but it won't start up. I am thinking about trying to change the spark plugs today and want to know if it's something that can be done at home. I have zero experience with cars but can follow directions well and my boyfriend has replaced spark plugs before on other cars. I read on a few other sites that my manual should say what the gap is but I cant find anything! Help greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[Eagle]

easy?

sort of, if you can get the plug boots off. except the rear passenger side. i gave up on trying to change it.


I hate t otell you this, but it isnt the plugs.
either fuel or spark.
so either fuel pump failure or some sensor has failed so the ecu isn't commanding he pump on, or commanding spark.

 

[dwmmatt23]

Yea dont think its the plugs. ill agree with the fuel or spark, has it done this before and then start later? has it had any other symptoms or things you have noticed befor it decided no to start?

 

[M3PO]

Agreed, I seriously doubt plugs will make your truck start, not to say they aren't bad. In a situation like this you are best of diagnosing the problem and fixing it. Replacing parts will get expensive and make tracking down the initial problem really difficult should you make a mistake on the plug install.

 

[Physh1]

Do you hear the fuel pump?

 

[Cartwright]

My money is on the fuel pump. Take a hammer and knock the gas tank a few times and then try to start it. May get it going for a bit. Spark Plug Gap is .040

 

[01HDtahoeNJN]

So wait is it easy to do I'm looking to replace my sparks...

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[GM Driver2]

The hardest part is getting the boot off. Since most of us haven't had to change the plugs since it was new, the boot is stuck on. They sell boot removal tools at most auto stores. Otherwise people make the mistake of pulling on the wire, ripping the wire off the boot. After you get some of them off, the next hardest thing is the last ones (near the firewall). It gets a little tight back there.
If you're going to replace the plugs, might as well replace the wires too. Won't hurt to get all new parts for spark.

I do have to agree with the others though. Check the Fuel pump. Hit the gas tank a few good times then try to turn it over.

Before anything though i would check every fuse to see if maybe you didn't short out something.

Did this a while back and thought it was my alternator. Nothing more than a cheap fuse.

 

[91RS]

Spark plugs would rarely cause the vehicle not to start at all. You need to look elsewhere.

However, it still may not be a bad idea to change the plugs as maintinence once you get the truck fixed. Use only AC/Delco plugs and DO NOT GAP THEM! They are iridium plugs and you can very easily break the tip off trying to gap them. They come with the proper gap already.

 

[Twinrotor]

Easiest way to get the plugs out is to cut 1/4 inch off of a socket and then use a wrench on said socket. That is how we do all of the LS1 cars that come into the shop. Works everytime, usually takes us about 30 mins to change all the plugs.