Where are the spark plugs in my 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage and how do I check if they need to be replaced or if there's a loose connection?

Answer 1

Does your car have a 1.5 liter or 1.8 liter engine? No matter. On the 1.5, it should have a distributor, (if I remember correctly) but the 1.8 has coil packs on top of the valve cover. 1.5 plugs will be at the front of the car, on the exhaust side, angled up. 1.8 plugs are under the 2 coil packs and wires accessed directly through the top of the valve cover. 1.8 wires should not be loose, (2 of them are part of the coil packs and bolt to the cover) but stuff happens. On either engine, grasp the boot and twist easily, gradually working the wire loose and off of the plug. Cheap wires always tear, so be careful. On the 1.8, 2 of the wires just come out when unbolt the coil packs with a 10 mm socket. Next you will need a good spark plug socket, (5/8 in, I think) a 3/8 ratchet, and perhaps a 10 in extension bar with a 3/8 square drive on the end. Take only the socket attached to the extension and put it on the plug, (1.8- put it in the valve cover hole with the aid of drop light) make sure it is securely on the plug, attach the ratchet, and remove the plug. Look at the electrode on the end (the part that goes inside the cylinder head) and see what color it is, what kind of crusty stuff is on it, or if it is damaged. Check the internet or a silly Haynes manual for determining what story the different plug conditions tell you. One color means lean, one means rich, etc... Loose connection would presumably set a MIL for a detected misfire. To install the new plugs, you first set the correct gap on the plugs. This info is on the nomenclature tag stuck to the inside of the hood on the passenger side. Most plugs (NGK, etc...) come pre-gapped, but always check this for yourself with a cheap gap tool from any auto parts store. Next, with your good plug socket, insert the plug into the socket making sure that the socket holds the plug securely, then work them in to plug hole by hand, taking care not to strip the threads. When you have the plugs tightened by hand as far as you can, you can then tighten them with a ratchet another 1/4 to 1/2 turn, or you can do it the official way: get a torque wrench and tighten them to the manufacturer's specifications. Next, put the wires on (this is so easy) and make sure if you have the distributor-equipped engine that you put the wires on the correct plug corresponding to the correct post on the distributor. 1.8 wires are easy and self-revealing: if you screw up wires on a 1.8, wait... how can you screw up wires on a 1.8 ?!? Anyway, there you go. Start it up and let it roll.