Problems when changing Tiburon spark plugs

Discussion in 'Hyundai Coupe / Tiburon' started by Bob Bailin, Sep 24, 2008.

  1. Bob Bailin

    Bob Bailin Guest

    Last weekend I changed the spark plugs on my brother's 04 Tiburon V6,
    as it was approaching 60K miles. Besides the usual complaints of what
    a PITA the job is, I ran into a couple of problems.

    1. When removing the front 3 plugs, #1 came out easily as expected,
    but #2 & #3 didn't want to budge. With the help of an impact wrench,
    gently applied, both came out without incident. The #1 was only slightly
    worn with a 1.15mm gap, the #3 plug had a 1.2mm gap, but the #2 plug
    was severely worn with a 1.8mm gap, but no fouling, discoloration or
    damage.

    The 3 rear plugs came out easily, and the gaps were uniformly 1.05mm.

    The radiator overflow was nearly empty and the coolant in the radiator was
    down about a 1/2". I needed a few ounces to top it off, and about a pint
    to fill the overflow bottle to where it should be. The engine has never
    overheated or even gone above the normal temp, and the coolant level
    hasn't been checked in over a year.

    Could this engine have a small head gasket leak near the #2 plug? Would
    a coolant pressure test (when cold?) detect a really small leak like this?

    2. When reattaching the throttle body to the intake with a torque wrench
    set to 13 lb/ft, the two bolts tightened down as expected, as did one of
    the nuts on the the remaining studs. But the other nut didn't seem to
    tighten
    up, and I stopped at a point fearing I was somehow stripping out the stud
    from the manifold, and I wasn't about to take the whole thing apart to find
    out. There aren't any leaks and the engine performs well.

    The engine has never had a need to be worked on since the car was
    bought new. Could this be considered a factory defect, and would it
    be covered under warranty? If I brought it to the attention of the dealer
    service dept, would they replace the upper manifold or just try to
    stabilize the stud with some Locktite? Or would they just blame the
    owner for daring to change his own plugs?

    Bob
     
    Bob Bailin, Sep 24, 2008
    #1
  2. Bob Bailin

    hyundaitech Guest

    If you haven't checked your coolant in a year, it's likely that the lo
    level was simply due to evaporation. Don't let the coolant level and plu
    wear bother you. What you report is fairly normal.

    On the throttle body bolt, one would hope that the dealer would tak
    whatever repair action was necessary based on what they find. Either way
    since you were the last one to loosen/tighten the bolt, you're probably o
    the hook for repairs. (And that's not just because you're the customer-
    it's the same with technicians, too. If a car comes back with a strippe
    bolt, and I was the last one to have the bolt loose, guess where the blam
    will be.) If it's reasonably tight, let it be
     
    hyundaitech, Sep 24, 2008
    #2
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