How do you replace spark plug wires on 2003 Kia Sorento?

Answer 1

First, there is almost NO CLEARANCE to route the 3 wires at the back of the engine so you can't pull a wire through the rubber separator brackets on the back of the engine for this purpose because of the moulded ends on the wires. (Unless you go to extensive teardown removing the intake manifold). Believe me as I cut up both of my hands on sharp bolts sticking out of the cowl trying to route a wire for about an hour. HOWEVER---There is a QUICK way to get around this problem and it works just fine for replacing 2 of the 3 spark plug wires. The 3rd (shortest wire is too short to be used in this manner). (to change all 3 wires in this manner, you will need 2 sets of wires). Before you think this is far fetched, price the job at the dealer. It is $360.00 to change plugs and over $300.00 to change the wires for a total over $700.00 ---Here's what I did-- I bought a bag of 1/2" 5 feet of wire insulator (that split corrugated plastic tubing at Auto Zone for $3.00. I Purchased 2 sets $35.00 wires total $70.00 and what ever price plugs you want, I used NKG lowest price platinum with great results. Route the wires 1 at a time from the plugs through the regular channels from each plug to the back of the engine. Cut and fit a 15" piece of the wire insulator over each plug wire to insulate them (across the rear of the engine) from cross firing and route them completely around behind the engine between the engine and firewall where there is a lot of clearance. When complete, cut the old wires off and pull them out and throw away. My total cost was just over $100.00 for complete new wires (2 sets because you need the longer wires) and plugs as I also had to purchase a throttle body gasket from the dealer for $7.88 all in all, I saved over $600.00

It's about 3 hours work. Remove top cover; Remove throttle body and air cleaner tube; Remove both metal triangle braces (one on each side of engine each has 3 bolts); remove both black plug covers.( you will need a small 10mm universal joint socket and extensions (suggest 1/4" drive from Sears). The engine is basically a Hemi which has the plugs recessed very deeply down in the center of each cylinder and makes it hard to get the loosened plug out. I used an old fashioned screen door spring which is exactly the diam. of the spark plug insulator and will jam over the top of the plug and pull it out also works great over the new plug to get it started threaded back into the head. A screen door spring is about 2' long. A great improvised tool :>) Here's a tip to assist replacing the spark plug black cover bolts which are in tight places--use a small amount of plumbers putty into the 10mm socket to hold the bolt so it doesn't drop and you will be able to thread them back in the very tight spots hard to reach. I actually used a black automotive putty used for sticking on trim panels. Anything to get the job done more quickly and easily. Good luck this really works great. someone get tuned up. :>) Regards, Fullait