Stilo Change your spark plugs!

You don't need a massive amount of kit for this job. The thing you might need to aquire is a 10mm Spark Plug socket/wrench. The typre I used was just the socket that attaches to my standard ratchet/extension bar. In addition to the tools in the picture, you'll also need the sppropriate hex-key to remove the battery box, and the socket set to remove the airbox (if present). Also, you'll notice there's only 3 plugs in the pic. I'd already changed 3, and I'd already binned one

Yes, yes, seemingly obvious...but I nearly forgot.

I took the negative clamp off, and tucked it down the side of the battery inside the box out of the way.

Right...STOP. Only change ONE PLUG AT A TIME. If you disconnect all the leads at once you could end up getting them mixed up...and trust me, you car won't like you much for it! To disconnect the lead from the coil, pull out the little yellow clip, and push down on the black bit that the yellow bit was under. With that depressed, the plug should slide off the coil freely.

Next step is to remove the ignition coil. Easy really, it's only held in with one 10mm bolt, then the whole thing pops out.

Right, with that pain in the ass coil out of the way, you can see right down to where the plug is. Long way down eh? So what's needed is that 6" extension bar. Slap you spark plug socket on the end of that, and then I found it easier to lcate the coket and bar onto the plug, then attach the ratchet. Once in place, give at some elbow grease and the old plug should emmerge helf by the socket.

By now you should have gapped your spark plugs correctly with your trusty feeler gauge, and they should be ready to fit. Gaps are taken from the NGK website and are as follows:
1.2: 0.9mm
1.4: 0.9mm
1.6: 0.8mm
1.8: 0.9mm
2.4: Preset out the box! Easy for you lot!

This is probably the easiest bit. Slip the new plug into the socket, and with the extension bar, not the ratchet, screw the new plug in carefully until finger tight.







Ideally it should be torqued up, but seeing as how I don't have one, I used another method. For this particular type of plug and go 1 half turn past finger tight with the ratchet. GO NO FURTHER OR YOU'LL KNACK THE PLUG AND MAYBE EVEN YOUR ENGINE!.






Once it's in and tight, carefully remove your tools and grab that pesky coil again...

It's pretty much in reverse now. Refit the coil, and re-attach the ignition lead. Push the plug home, then press the yellow clip in. If you've got more plugs to do then crack on, if not then re-connect the battery and start her up. Listen for a different engine sound and throttle response. If you think something's wrong then with the engine running, carefully remove the igntion leads one at a time listening for a difference in engine note. If you pull one off and there's no difference then that's your problem pot. If you have a Sagem coil, proceed to your nearest Fiat parts desk, beat manager about head with faulty coil, and purchase a new one, and fit as per re-fitting following a plug change.

Thank you for reading my first guide. I hope it helps you out, and I hope none of my advice leaves your car broken and you after my blood.

If you're still unsure, I'll do it for you. I charge £5 a mile travel, £150 expenses and £90 an hour labour...still cheaper than a Fiat garage :woot::nerner: