Walkthru on coil replacement for 2002-

[Skoorbmax]

04 with 68k. At 40k I got a CEL, felt nothing--cylinder 3 misfire (advance auto parts read it). I ignored it. 1.5 years later (a few months ago) noticed it again. I had driven in heavy rain the night before. Since that time, the light will sometimes come on after rain (checked once more--cylinder 3, still), but otherwise it may go for a couple of months without anything. It generally will run a touch rough, but after several miles dries out and appears fine.

I will replace all plugs, but is there any chance this is PCV related, per above? Given that it's rain, I am guessing coils. I had not come upon this thread until tonight but had assumed it was a coil issue.

Main Q 1: I am going to use OEM plugs. Do I still need to gap them? I know that with my other car, a Maxima, the OEM plugs are pre-gapped to exact spec and so they are a drop-in replacement. ALso that car doesn't require damn removal of the intake manifold, I mean wth !!

Main Q 2: Should I go with OEM coils or order online? I'm in ho huge hurry to get this done, so I can wait.

EDIT: Oh look http://www.onlinewholesaleparts.com/mic0208.html $28/piece coils. Are these real? They are about half the price as coils everywhere else.

[iggyES]

[Skoorbmax]

[iggyES]

Here are those part #'s. Just remember to make a note in the comments section at www.onlinemazdaparts.com so Jason can invoice you properly.

OEM SPARK PLUGS - ZZC218110A
OEM COILS - AJ5118100A

[Mikey]

I have an 03 'PV with 175,000 km and I did the six plugs myself following Bubba's lead. It took about 4 hours and 3 beers. I didn't do the coils as I didn't have any problems with them and the dealer wanted $150 each for them! I just used the Motorcraft (OEM) plugs ($5 each) and they came pre-gapped from the Mazda dealer. The van was running perfectly before and after the "operation". I only did it because of the amount of mileage on the plugs.

[Skoorbmax]

Thanks, iggy for the part numbers.

Mikey, that's good to get 110k miles out of the plugs

[kdk786]

Can anyone tell me how to check the resistance on the coils. I have a 2003 MPV and I checked the front 3 spark plugs and they look fine. I have access to the coils and I wanted to know how i can tell if one of them has gone bad? I have a meter and all 3 coils are showing 5 omhs. Am I doing something wrong? What is the correct resistance of omhs for 03 mpv? Hopefully it is one of the front coils so that I can fix it quickly, if not then i will have to go all out!

thanks for your help

[Skoorbmax]

[TonyJ]

[Skoorbmax]

Got my plugs and coil from the mazdaparts.com link above. What's the proper gap on these plugs--also, I saw some grease on the coil at the end. I presume I don't need a $.99 packet of spark plug boot grease from autozone, but since I'm going to be replacing the other plugs, it can't hurt can it?

[Skoorbmax]

Does anybody know what spacing I should have these plugs at?

[kdk786]

Before I begin, let me tell you that on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is an expert, I would rate my self a 6 on fixing cars.

Major thanks to BUBBA's walk through on coil replacement and also TURPO's How to change spark plugs walk through ( http://forum.mpvclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=16263&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=coil+change )

I finally opened up everything to check the back coils and PVC Hose. I am happy to say that the problem with my van jumping around was cause by the PVC Hose. It was the newer one they had put in after the recall. But the 90 degree angle rubber had a hole in it after 2 years. I am in Toronto, Canada so the Mazda dealer here wanted $110 plus tax for the replacement PVC hose. There is no way I am paying that much for a plastic and rubber hose. I ran around town and I finally put togeter a replacement PVC hose (Pics to follow in my next post).

So I replaced the spark plugs with NKG platinum plugs, and I replaced the PVC hose with the one I made and put everything back. Turned the van on and it was working. Took it for a drive and came to a stop sign and no jumping. Drove it around stop and go and I am happy to say no more jumping around problem Runs a lot better!

Many thanks to all of you. There is no way I could have ever have even started to fix the van if it wasn't for this forum and the great people that are in it!!!

Cheers!!!

[kdk786]

One thing for the experts: everytime I press on the accelerator to start driving or to increase my speed I am feeling vibrations in my pedal. Before the whole PVC hose fix I had zero vibrations at all. I am a bit worried that I put together something wrong and it could result in more problems in the long run??? Any one experience something similar or have any advice on what might be causing this problem and how to fix it ??

[Dan9]

02 MPV
Had the P0306 code and did the front coil #6, fixed fine. I have an appointment to get the PCV recall done; I am thinking I'll do the 3 rear coils myself as the spark plugs are due. If(I guess they ARE) the rears are still good, well, I'll have some spares lying around

An idea: for the later-model ones with coolant lines to the TB, how about using a small barb hose connector and carefully routing the 2 hoses together while doing the job. to save on a complete coolant drain and fill?

thanks this forum has some good info. As I figure out more on the van - only had it for a couple months - I hope to contribute more/

regards

D

[Skoorbmax]

Woot, just replaced 6 plugs and #3 coil. I didn't bother replacing 1 and 2, hopefully that won't come back to bite me.

Entire job on a 2004 took me four hours. I didn't run into any particular problems, but these things take a while first shot. I'm sure I could do it in two next time, maybe less.

Per the fourth or so post on page 3 I did not remove the lower PCV hose. I also did not touch my coolant system at all or detach those connections to the bottom of the throttle body (TB). I was able to move the manifold out of the way enough to get to the coils.

Write up with pics was superb, thanks!

The job is not particularly difficult but it is a PITA, especially with the quick approach I used, because with the manifold not fully out of the way I did scrape up my forearms a lot