GMC Terrain
Engine Spark Plugs Replacement Guide
How to change the spark plugs in a
2013-2016 GMC Terrain with the LFX 3.6L V6 engine including the part numbers.
2016 Terrain LFX 3.6L V6 |
Engine Cover Screw |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the first generation (2013, 2014, 2015 &
2016) GMC Terrain with the LFX 3.6 liter V6 motor in checking or
changing the spark plugs. Owners of other General Motors vehicles such as the Buick Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, GMC Canyon, Sierra 1500, Acadia, Yukon, Denali, Savana, Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Volt, Camaro, Corvette, SS, Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado and Express may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The OEM iridium tipped spark plugs in this 2016 Terrain SLT are the ACDelco 41-109. A few other compatible replacement spark plugs with their part numbers are as follows: Autolite XP5263, Denso ITV20, NGK (6509) LTR6IX-11 and ACDelco 41-834. The tools and other items needed to complete this procedure include a Torx T30 screwdriver, a flat head screwdriver, a 10mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratchet, a 5/8" spark plug socket, an extension bar, a 3/8" drive ratchet and a tube of dielectric grease. The OEM part number for the intake manifold gasket is GM 12647263 (also known as ACDelco 12647263). Note - In this guide I'm only checking the front three plugs since this vehicle only has 30,000 miles on the odometer. To access all three rear plugs, the intake manifold must be removed. I provide written instructions from the service manual down below. |
||
|
||
Owners of the earlier 2010, 2011 & 2012 GMC Terrain model years with the LF1 3.0L V6, LFW 3.0L V6, LAF 2.4L I4 and LEA 2.4L I4 engines may also find this guide to be helpful. |
||
T30 Screw Removed |
Oil Filler Cap |
Twist Off Counterclockwise |
Remove the single
screw that secures the engine cover in place by turning it counterclockwise
with a Torx T30 star bit screwdriver. Set the T30 screw aside in a safe place. Twist off the oil filler cap in the counterclockwise direction and put it aside with the screw. |
||
Pull Off Engine Cover |
Plastic Cover Removed |
Top of Engine Exposed |
Lift the plastic
cover straight off the top of the motor and set it aside in a safe place. If you have access to compressed air or a wet/dry shop vacuum, thoroughly clean off the top of the engine to help reduce the chance of having debris drop down in to the spark plug wells. |
||
Front 3 Ignition Coils |
Rear 3 Spark Plugs |
Disconnect Rubber Hose |
It is fairly easy
to access and remove the three spark plugs on the front of the engine.
You will have to pull the rubber hose that runs across the top of the front ignition coils out of its socket on the right (driver) side. To replace the 3 spark plugs on the rear of the engine, the intake manifold will need to be removed. It would also be best to have an assortment of wobble extension bars in different sizes and also a universal swivel joint. Here are the written instructions from the shop manual for removing and replacing the intake manifold on the GM 3.6L V6 engine: Intake Manifold Replacement This should apply to any GM vehicle equipped with the LFX or LLT 3.6L V6 engines such as the Cadillac CTS, STS, ATS, SRX, XTS, Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, LaCrosse, Camaro, Caprice, Colorado, Canyon, Equinox, Impala and the Holden Commodore. |
||
Spark Plug Ignition Coil |
Pull Out Grey Lock Tab |
Slide Locking Tab Away |
Use a small
flathead screwdriver or your fingernail to slide back the light grey plastic
lock tab on the ignition coil electrical connector. Once the power plug has been unlocked, push down the black plastic tab to release the connector before sliding it straight off the ignition coil housing. |
||
Push Tab - Remove Plug |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
10mm Bolt Removed |
Loosen the single
bolt that secures the ignition coil to the top of the engine by turning it
counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. Set the 10mm bolt aside in a safe place. |
||
Rotate Ignition Coil |
Lift Out Ignition Coil |
Spark Plug In Well |
Rotate the top of
the ignition coil back and forth a few times to make sure that the rubber
dust boot is not stuck or "frozen" to the top of the old spark plug. Lift the ignition coil housing out of the spark plug well and set it aside in a safe place. |
||
5/8" Spark Plug Socket |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
Detach Wrench - Spin Out |
Attach the 5/8"
spark plug socket to the 6 inch extension bar and the 3/8" drive ratchet. I always attach the spark plug socket to the extension bar with some tape to prevent it from falling off in to the spark plug well. Lower the socket over the top of the old spark plug. Loosen the old spark plug by turning it counterclockwise. Try to avoid using excessive force to loosen the old spark plug, which may cause it to crack or break off. If the spark plug won't turn, spray in some penetrating oil such as PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench or Kano Kroil and wait 15-30 minutes or more before trying again. If you don't have any penetrating oil, try spraying some WD-40 or just warm up the engine for a few minutes to expand the metal engine block. Once the spark plug is loose, detach the ratcheting wrench from the extension bar and spin it out the rest of the way by hand. |
||
|
||
Lift Out Old Spark Plug |
Inspect Old ACDelco Plug |
Lower In New Spark Plug |
Lift
the old spark plug out of the well and detach it from the socket. Inspect the old spark plug. If the electrode end of the old spark plug looks ashy white, the plugs might have been exposed to high temperatures such as engine overheating or they could be the incorrect heat range for your driving conditions and/or environment. If the old spark plugs are dark grey or covered in black soot, the engine could be burning oil and should be checked by a professional mechanic. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) spark plugs on this 2016 Terrain are the ACDelco 41-109 iridium. I recommend buying either the OEM plugs or the Autolite XP5263 spark plugs which have excellent reviews on Amazon. If you have a spark plug gap gauge, check the gap on the new spark plugs. They should already be pre-gapped to the correct setting from the factory. An optional step is to apply some anti-seize grease to the threads on the new spark. Most spark plug manufacturers recommend that you not use anti-seize since it can lead to over tightening. But it your old spark plugs were very difficult to remove, you may want to consider using some. Just remember to use less torque when you tighten the plugs. Push the new spark plug in to the socket. Your spark plug socket should have a rubber insert or a strong magnet to hold the new spark plug in place. Lower the new spark plug in to the cylinder well. |
||
Spin In By Hand |
Tighten Clockwise |
Apply Dielectric Grease |
Spin in the new
spark plug by hand in the clockwise direction until it makes contact with
the engine block. Attach the 3/8" drive ratchet to the extension bar and tighten the new spark plug to just past barely past the point when you feel the crush washer collapse. If you are re-installing the old spark plugs, only tighten them to just a small fraction of a turn past hand tight. (Remember, if you used anti-seize lubricant, you'll have to be extra careful to avoid over tightening the new plug.) Try to avoid using excessive force to prevent from cracking the new plug or stripping the aluminum threads. Double check that the new spark plug is tight before moving on to the next step. Apply some dielectric grease to the opening in the rubber dust boot at the bottom of the ignition coil.The dielectric grease will help prevent corrosion and also keep out any moisture, dust or debris. |
||
Lower In Ignition Coil |
Spin In 10mm Bolt |
Tighten 10mm Clockwise |
Lower the ignition
coil in to the spark plug well. Rotate the ignition coil back and forth a few times to spread the dielectric grease. Re-insert the 10mm bolt and spin it in a few turns in the clockwise direction by hand to prevent it from becoming cross threaded. Tighten the bolt by turning it clockwise with the 10mm socket and the 1/4" drive ratchet to just past hand tight. Try to avoid over tightening the 10mm bolt to prevent from cracking the plastic ignition coil housing. |
||
Push On Power Plug |
Slide In Locking Tab |
Re-Attach Rubber Hose |
Push the electrical
connector straight on to the ignition coil until it clicks securely in to
place. Slide the grey plastic tab in to secure the power plug. Push the end of the rubber hose back in to place on the right (driver) side of the engine. |
||
Vacuum Line Replaced |
Spark Plugs Replaced |
Push On Engine Cover |
Line up the engine cover and push it down in to place to secure the rubber friction fasteners. | ||
Tighten Torx T30 Screw |
Oil Filler Cap - Clockwise |
Engine Cover Replaced |
Re-insert the Torx
T-30 screw and tighten it in the clockwise direction until it is snug. Replace the oil filler cap by twisting it on in the clockwise direction. Start the engine and listen closely for any strange noises that might indicate a loose spark plug, disconnected vacuum line or a loose electrical connector. Be sure to record the spark plug change in your vehicle's service records. For more,
check out my other
2010-2016 GMC Terrain DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
If you found this guide to be helpful,
please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com
"Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.) |
Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
All Rights Reserved ®
Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. |
Privacy Policy About Paul & Author Contact Info