Chevrolet
Camaro Spark Plugs Replacement Guide
How to change the spark plugs in a 6th
generation 2016 to 2021 GM Chevy Camaro with the LTG 2.0L Engine.
2020 Camaro 2.0L I4 |
Plastic Engine Cover |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
This automotive
maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the sixth
generation (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021) GM Chevrolet Camaro in
checking or changing the spark plugs in the Ecotec LTG 2.0L turbocharged I4
engine. (The steps should be the same or similar for the LGX 3.6L V6, LT1
6.2L V8 and 6.2L LT4 supercharged V8.) The development and release of the 7th generation Camaro has been delayed, so the current sixth generation will probably continue into the 2022 and 2023 model years. Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac such as the Malibu, Impala, Bolt, Corvette, Trailblazer, Trax, Equinox, Blazer, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado, Express, Encore, Envision, Enclave, Regal, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Canyon, Savana, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CT4, CT5, CTS and CT6 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) iridium tipped spark plugs in this 2020 Camaro with the Ecotec LTG 2.0L turbo I4 engine are part number ACDelco 41-125 (also known as genuine GM part # 12647827). A few other compatible replacement spark plugs for the 2.0L I4 engine with their part numbers are as follows: NGK 94489 ILTR6M9G, Champion 7004 and Autolite APP5863. The tools and other items needed to complete this procedure include a Torx T30 star bit screwdriver, a 10mm socket with 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 first two steps are to open the hood and locate the single black metal bolt on the front right of the plastic engine cover. Loosen the bolt by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with a Torx T-30 star bit screwdriver. |
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Single Bolt Removed |
Remove Oil Fill Cap |
Lift Front of Engine Cover |
Set the bolt aside
in a safe place. Remove the oil fill cap by twisting it off in the counterclockwise direction. Set the oil filler cap aside in a safe place. Gently lift the front edge of the plastic engine cover. Slide the two rubber and plastic pegs on the rear edge of the cover out of their slots attached to the back of the engine. Set the plastic engine cover aside in a safe place. |
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Engine Cover Removed |
Cover Oil Filler Opening |
Front Ignition Coil |
To help prevent
from having debris fall down into the oil fill port, stuff a clean towel
into the hole. If you access to a wet/dry shop vacuum or compressed air, clean off the top of the engine to help reduce the risk of having debris fall down into the spark plug wells. I'd also recommend only checking or changing one spark plug at a time to help further reduce the risk of having a foreign object fall down into the cylinder. |
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Slide Out Red Lock Tab |
Push In Release Tab |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
Gently slide out
the red plastic locking tab on the top of the electrical connector. Push in the black plastic release tab on the electrical connector before pulling the power plug straight off the ignition coil. Loosen the single silver metal bolt that secures the ignition coil to the valve cover by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. |
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Silver Bolt Removed |
Rotate Back & Forth |
Ignition Coil Removed |
Set the ignition
coil bolt aside in a safe place. Gently rotate the ignition coil back and forth a few times to make sure the rubber dust boot on the bottom is not stuck or "frozen" to the top of the old spark plug. Pull the ignition coil straight out of the spark plug well. |
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OEM Part Number |
Spark Plug In Well |
Socket & Extension Bar |
If you see a CEL (check engine light) or SES (service engine soon) warning indicator on your Camaro's gauge cluster, use an OBDII scanner (also known as an "OBD2 scan tool") to check for an ignition coil related DTC (diagnostic trouble code) such as P0350, P0351, P0352, P0353 and P0354. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) General Motors ignition coil part number is ACDelco 12654078. Some of the most common symptoms of a failing or faulty ignition coil include misfiring, stalling, reduced fuel economy (lower MPG), backfiring, rough idling, loss of power and the engine won't start. Attach the 5/8" spark plug socket to the long extension bar and the 3/8" drive ratchet. I always use some electrical tape to secure the socket to the extension bar to prevent the socket from popping off and becoming stuck down in the spark plug well. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Old Spark Plug Removed |
Inspect Old Spark |
Lower the socket
down over the top of the old spark plug. Loosen the old spark plug by turning it in the counterclockwise direction. If you have trouble loosening a stuck or stubborn old spark plug, try spraying in a very small amount of penetrating oil down into the well. Allow the penetrating oil to seep down into the threads and loosen any corrosion (rust) for at least five to ten minutes. Once the spark plug is loose, detach the ratchet from the extension bar and spin it out the rest of the way by hand. Lift the old spark plug out of the well and detach it from the socket. Inspect the old spark plug for any wear, deposits or damage. If the old plug appears to be burnt or covered in soot or oily sludge, the engine might be burning oil and it should be inspected by a professional mechanic. If the electrode tip on the old plug appears to be burnt or covered in white ashy powder, the engine might have been subjected to overheating. You may need to choose a spark plug with a different heat range (colder or hotter) for your climate or driving conditions. |
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OEM ACDelco Iridium |
Empty Spark Plug Well |
Spin In New Spark Plug |
If you have a
spark plug gap gauge tool, check
the gap on the new spark plugs to make sure they match the specification on
the box.
The OEM ACDelco spark plugs should be gapped to 0.035". Iridium tipped spark plugs should not be re-gapped. If the gap does not match the specification on the box, the new spark plug may have been damaged in transport and it should be exchanged for another one. I highly recommend purchasing the OEM spark plugs which are part number ACDelco 41-125. Push the new spark plug into the socket and carefully lower it down into the well. Try to avoid hitting the electrode tip against the sides of the well or the cylinder head. Spin in the new spark plug in the clockwise direction by hand until it makes contact with the cylinder head. |
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Tighten Clockwise |
Apply Dielectric Grease |
Lower In Ignition Coil |
Tighten the new
spark plug in the clockwise direction with the 3/8" drive ratchet until it
is snug which should just be a fraction of a turn past finger tight. You may feel the new crush washer collapse as you are tightening it. If you have a very sensitive and accurate torque wrench, the service manual specification for tightening the spark plugs is 11 lb-ft (15 N-m) of torque. If you are re-installing the old spark plugs after checking their condition, just tighten them to a small fraction of a turn past finger tight. Try to avoid over tightening the new spark plugs to prevent from cracking the ceramic part of the plug or damaging the threads in the aluminum cylinder head. Double check that the new spark plugs are tight before moving on to the next steps. Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the opening in the rubber dust boot at the bottom of the ignition coil. The dielectric grease will help ensure a reliable electrical connection by keeping out any moisture or debris. Lower the ignition coil down into the well and push the rubber dust boot over the top of the new spark plug. Rotate the ignition coil back and forth a few times to help spread the dielectric grease. |
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Spin In Ignition Coil Bolt |
Tighten Clockwise |
Push On Power Plug |
Line up the bolt
hole in the ignition coil housing with the corresponding bolt hole in the
valve cover. Spin in the silver bolt a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to help prevent it from becoming cross threaded. Tighten the ignition coil bolt in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet until it is snug. Try to avoid over tightening the bolt to prevent from cracking the plastic ignition coil assembly. |
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Slide In Red Lock Tab |
Remove Towel - Oil Fill |
Two Tabs - Rear Edge |
Slide the
electrical connector straight on to the base of the ignition coil. You should hear or feel the power plug "click" securely into place. Slide the red tab in towards the ignition coil to lock the electrical connector in place. Pull the small towel out of the oil fill opening. Line up the two rubber covered pegs on the back side of the plastic cover with their two corresponding slots on the rear edge of the engine. |
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2 Slots - Rear of Engine |
Slide Tabs Into Slots |
Replace Oil Fill Cap |
Slide the two tabs
on the rear edge of the cover back into the slot on the back side of the
engine. Lower the front edge of the cover down into place on the top of the engine. Replace the oil fill cap by twisting it on in the clockwise direction until it is snug. |
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Spin In Torx Bolt |
Tighten Bolt Clockwise |
Spark Plug Change Done |
Spin in the black
metal bolt a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to make sure it
doesn't become cross threaded. Tighten the bolt in the clockwise direction with the Torx T30 screwdriver until it is snug. Start the engine and listen closely for any strange sounds. If you do hear a weird noise, immediately turn off the engine and double check your work for a loose spark plug or a disconnected electrical connector. The service interval specification in the owner's manual for the spark plugs in the LTG 2.0L I4 engine is to change them every 60,000 miles (or 96,000 KM). (The LGX 3.6L V6, LT1 6.2L V8 and 6.2L LT4 supercharged V8 engines have a longer spark plug service interval of 97,500 miles or 156,000 KM.) Be sure to write down the spark plug change in your vehicle's service records. Please
check out all of the
2016-2021 GM Chevrolet Camaro DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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