I am having trouble finding the guide on how to replace the spark plugs on the 03 tib v6 on the hma service website. Does anyone know specifically how to find these instructions? I need assistance with removing the intake manifold.

there are i think 3 bolts on front which are visible then there are i think either 3 or 4 more bolts on back close to firewall....its a prettry time consuming job

First... take it to the dealer unless you are able to go without wheels if something goes awry... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif)


Seriously, the rear plugs on the V6 Tib and my 06 V6 Sonata are a **** to work on. They decided that the intakes look great right over the coils which makes it necessary to pull the intakes... if you screw up a gasket or o ring, you are on foot. I have worked on V8 manifolds for years but these things intimidate the Heck out of me.

I have a set of the E3 plugs to put into the Sonata but have not braved pulling it apart. My wife will kill me if I disable her car. My Tib won't be needing plugs for a while but.. ???

My local mechanic said he could replace them and set everything up for around $100 and I am beginning to think it would be worth it.

Ray (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

Ok im 18 and have very little experence on cars, but i can get my way around them. This is a job that will take around 3 hours, but its possible. You do have to take the manifold off, there is no way around it. There are several bolts that are facing towards the driver side. I belive there are 3 or 4 that need to be taken off. Just make sure to keep good track of your bolts and which ones go where. Once you get it off its just like changing any other spark plugs. i hope this helps. I wouldnt take it to a dealer, they rip ppl off bad!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

This post has been edited by jzobo: Sep 1 2009, 02:52 PM

On HMAService--go into Shop, then pick your model, year and engine, then go into Engine Mechanical System--Intake and Exhaust System--Repair procedures. The first one deals with the intake manifold. You don't need to remove the whole manifold, just the upper part, which they call the "surge tank assembly" in their instructions. Hope that helps, and hope I can do this myself too once I get to needing it.

To clarify the removal of the upper intake manifold, you have six 12mm bolts securing the upper IM to the lower IM, and three 10mm bolts at the back of the upper IM securing to a bracket. Removing the three bracket bolts is relatively easy, but replacement will require that you work blind, or have a helper guide your hand until you get the bolts started in the threads.

After you loosen those bolts, you only need to loosen one of the locking nuts on the accelerator cable and cruise control cable. You can jockey the upper IM left and right to get access to the three rear plugs.

Hyundai is not the only company with an intake manifold that blocks the spark plugs...Ford has been using the Mazda 2.3 liter engine design with two plugs per cylinder since 1995. To remove three of the plugs on that engine, you need two short extensions and two 'U joint' couplers.

Byron

I spent days trying to decide if I was going to do this, because the information from Hyundai was vague. I know there are several of you not wanting to shell out $300 to change your spark plugs. So I ended up braving it out and was pleasantly surprised that although it was time consuming, it was relatively straight-forward. Not to mention, I only paid for plugs!

You actually you don't need to fully remove the surge tank. I just changed the spark plugs today. The whole job took a little less than 3 hours for my first time. Make sure and use a mirror to find the bolts in the back. There is no O-ring, and it is not critical to replace the gasket. Be careful about severing hoses and electrical lines. The bolts in the back are 12mm. It is not necessary to remove the throttle.

First make sure you have a 12" bungee cord to keep the tank out of the way, while you are actually replacing the spark plugs.

Remove the plastic engine cover and all plastic covers to open up some space.

Remove the intake hose from the throttle. (I have a AEM Cold Air Intake hose and completely removed the upper half to free up some space.)

Remove the PCV from the top of the throttle

Completely remove the Brake Booster hose from brake booster going to the surge tank (booster my relieve some pressure when you disconnect the hose).

Disconnect the vacuum hose at the top right of the tank (the one that hooks into the tank and is attached the valve cover of the front three engine cylinders)

Remove the accelerator and cruise control cables

You now have access to the 12mm bolts in the rear of the surge tank (plenum, or upper Intake Manifold). From the passenger side of the car, remove the left bolt with 12mm combination wrench. From the driver's side, remove the two other bolts with a 12mm socket (deep sockets give you the best access).

Remove the 12mm bolts on the top and front of the tank along with the 2 nuts on the side.

Lifting from under the left side of the tank, separate the tank from the manifold.

On the right side of the tank you may need to use a screwdriver to leverage the tank off of the mounting bolts.

Now the tank should be able to move a little bit.

Lift up the tank from the left side and move anything that is limiting its movement (you will need significant height to change all the plugs).

Use the bungee cord to support the tank while you change the plugs. (In order to do this I hooked one side of the cord in the bottom of the hole that the plastic engine cover bolt was screwed into (the top left bolt) and secured the other side of the cord on the highest part of the driver-side hood strut (the thing holding the hood open).

After that it is just a matter of actually changing the spark plugs and putting everything back together. Although while you have that thing off, this would be the ideal time to install any aftermarket spark plug cables. I also cleaned out my throttle since I had the intake hose off.

Hope this helped!