Possible Bad COP Question...

[ecarlcl]

I have an 02 LS V8 that I'm almost sure is going to get a set of coils here pretty quick. But I have a couple of questions...

First how do you get those little plugs out that fasten the decorative covers on everything under the hood? I've already broken one of them and decided I'd stop before I broke anything else.

Second, It seems to behave itself (not miss-fire) within the first 20 minutes or so of driving. Is that a common symptom?

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I pull a spark plug out and it has an .060 gap. Probably still has the factory plugs in it.

I hope I haven't fried the cats yet I'm trying to be as nice to it as possible. I won't be able to pull anything apart until Saturday.

 

[rickztahone]

I have an 02 LS V8 that I'm almost sure is going to get a set of coils here pretty quick. But I have a couple of questions...

First how do you get those little plugs out that fasten the decorative covers on everything under the hood? I've already broken one of them and decided I'd stop before I broke anything else.

Second, It seems to behave itself (not miss-fire) within the first 20 minutes or so of driving. Is that a common symptom?

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I pull a spark plug out and it has an .060 gap. Probably still has the factory plugs in it.

I hope I haven't fried the cats yet I'm trying to be as nice to it as possible. I won't be able to pull anything apart until Saturday.

are you talking about the plenum? if so then it has a little side where you can stick a flat head and it pops up. one of them is rubber and just pulls straight up (left one i believe). mine had the same symptoms as yours. it isn't that difficult to switch them out yourself. definitely change out your coils and plugs while your at it and a lot of members recommend doing the VCG while your at it as well. the last part is up to you. lastly, your cats should fine if you say the misfire isn't all that bad. hope this helped

 

[ecarlcl]

Yeah that big cover over the top of the motor. I guess I'll have to look at it closer.

Good call on the VCG. Wouldn't do much good to replace the coils and then have one of them get leaked on. I understand that all the gaskets including the spark plug well seals are two different part numbers is that right?

Also the write up never says where to put the dielectric grease. I'm assuming on the contact where the spark plug meets the coil?

 

[Lincolnlov]

I have an 02 LS V8 that I'm almost sure is going to get a set of coils here pretty quick. But I have a couple of questions...

First how do you get those little plugs out that fasten the decorative covers on everything under the hood? I've already broken one of them and decided I'd stop before I broke anything else.

Second, It seems to behave itself (not miss-fire) within the first 20 minutes or so of driving. Is that a common symptom?

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I pull a spark plug out and it has an .060 gap. Probably still has the factory plugs in it.

I hope I haven't fried the cats yet I'm trying to be as nice to it as possible. I won't be able to pull anything apart until Saturday.

ecarlcl,

On my 03 those fastners on the plastic beauty cover of the engine just screw out. But they will pop out as well with gentle prying.

 

[ecarlcl]

ecarlcl,

On my 03 those fastners on the plastic beauty cover of the engine just screw out. But they will pop out as well with gentle prying.

Thanks.

 

[lseguy]

The proper way to remove them, is to use a pen or other narrow object and depress in the middle "button" in the center of those "rivets". Once you press the center part in, you THEN pry it off. Otherwise, you have a greater chance of breaking one of the three "legs" from the rivet, then it will no longer snap tightly in the hole.

 

[ecarlcl]

Oh press them in. I see. I thought there was a way you had to pull them out. Thanks a bunch lseguy.