Plug change procedure question

[OurPTGT]

it also helps that the plastic manifolds (n/a & turbo) have rubber o rings for gaskets. So no worries there about having to replace them each time. As was stated before, on the plastic turbo unit, you have to be creative and a parkplug socket with a built in swivel is your friend

[Macguyver]

2 hrs just to change the plugs, you gotta f---ing be kidding me! I'm trying to do just that and yep I have an '01 non turbo and this will indeed be the first time I've had to do it. What moron designed this engine ? I swear Chrysler must have decided to make simple stuff like this as hard to do as possible for regular folks in order to get you to take it to the stealership. So what do I need to do, take half of the top side of the motor apart so I can get at the plugs and wires?

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by Macguyver

So what do I need to do, take half of the top side of the motor apart so I can get at the plugs and wires?

Yes, but it shouldn't take you two hours. The first time on a non-turbo, of course, will take awhile longer. After that, a plug and wire change can be done in 45 minutes or less because you know the nuts, bolts and tubes that have to come off.

Here's a step by step Imagestation guide to doing the spark plug change. On February 1st 2008 Imagestation is pulling the plug so this guide won't be available after that.

The guide has steps to take off te EGR tube at the back of the upper mainifold. This tube is only on the 2001 and 2002 non-turbo PT. After that Chrysler did away with that tube and you can cut 10 minutes off the change time just for that one tube. It was/is a PITA to get to using two different size nuts (8mm & 13mm I think) and in an awkward place to get to.

Album: CHANGING SPARK PLUGS ON A PT CRUISER - SIMPLIFIED

[Macguyver]

Thanks. I followed the slide show for changing the plugs and ya it was a bit of a pain getting at the plugs, (never did see/find an erg tube) had to take the bolts off the accelerator cable bracket as well but I was making progress. I actually had the first plug on the passengers side replaced and started to remove the next plug when guess what happened next. The dam plug had been cross threaded into the head and snapped off ! The nut and porcelain (ceramic ?) part came out still stuck in spark plug socket but the rest of the plug is stuck inside the head crap ! Now I guess I'm going to be forced to tow it to a mechanic and have him fix it after all. Ez out, sleeve it and thread it for a new plug. This is getting ridiculous.

[CREWZIN]

Well, ya can't blame that on Chrysler or the guys who built the PT south of the Texas border. Some idiot in a hurry I suppose the last time it was tuned up.