How To Change Spark Plugs Hyundai Santa Fe
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, 4 cylinder 2.4L engine. Procedure to change spark plugs is the same for 2007 to 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe with 4 cylinder engines. If you have a Hyundai Santa Fe with 6 cylinder engine, spark plug replacement procedure is completely different and more labor intensive.
Hyundai Santa Fe Spark Plugs Type
OEM Spark plugs for Hyundai Santa Fe are Denso FK16HQR11 Iridium. Spark plug cost about $25 each and you can buy them on Amazon or any auto parts store in your area. If you prefer another brand then you can buy Auto-lite or NGK spark plugs. Also, you can buy Platinum spark plugs too, these are cheaper than iridium ones but have shorter operating lifespan.
Replace spark plugs based on manufacturer recommendation intervals. Replacement intervals are usually at 100,000km depending on brand and spark plug type. More on Spark plug change intervals. Canadian an Ontario winters are harsh on everything related to cars. Doesn’t hurt to change spark plugs regularly, will help your used car to have easier cold starts.
Tools: 10mm socket/ratchet or 10mm wrench, 16mm spark plug socket, extension and ratchet, flat screwdriver, grease or anti seize compound.
Remove engine plastic cover. Engine cover has two clips and two rubber bushing. Pull on engine cover firmly to separate it from clips and remove it (image below).
How to Remove Ignition Coils Hyundai Santa Fe
Ignition coils have to be removed to change spark plugs. Coils are installed on engine valve cover with 10mm bolts.
Start by removing ignition cover electrical connectors. Electrical connector plug safety tab should be pulled outwards. Use a flat screwdriver to push safety tab out (grey color tab). Once safety tab is released, press on center black tab while simultaneously pulling on ignition connector tab.
Remove all four ignition coil electrical connectors. Use 10mm socket and remove ignition coil bolts. Pull ignition coil upwards and remove ignition coils.
Check ignition coils boots for tears, holes or anything unusual. Take look inside spark plug holes. If you find engine oil on spark plug holes, valve cover gasket its leaking. You should replace valve cover gasket and spark plug o-ring gaskets. Oil on spark plug opening can cause misfires and will deteriorate ignition coil boots.
How to Remove Spark Plugs Hyundai Santa Fe
Use 16mm spark plug socket and ratchet to remove spark plugs. You should do this on a cold engine. Spark plugs are easier to remove on a cold engine.
If engine is hot, aluminum engine head will expand and tighten spark plugs. Not to mention you don’t want to burn yourself. Remove all four spark plugs and put them aside.
On image above you see an old spark plug with 90,000km on it. Colorization on spark plug insulation is caused from blow by gases and/or cracks on insulator.
New Spark Plug Installation Hyundai Santa Fe
Apply grease or anti seize compound on spark plug threads. Spark plugs are gaped from factory and do not need to be gaped again. Just make sure not to drop them. If you drop a spark plug, check spark plug gap and spark plug porcelain body for cracks. Don’t use damaged spark plugs or you might get misfires.
Spark Plugs should be installed initially by hand. Use only extension and socket. Do Not Use Ratchet Or Force. Engine head threads are aluminum and are fragile. If you install a spark plug cross threaded, engine head threads will be damaged. That translates into expensive repairs. Use ratchet only to fully tighten spark plugs after hand installation.
Insert new spark plug on spark plug socket. Thread spark plug by hand as much as you can. Install all four spark plugs by hand and then use ratchet to tighten them. Usually it takes half to a full turn to tighten spark plugs after hand installation. Spark plugs have a crush metallic washer gasket. You will feel it when spark plug washer gasket is crushed. Do not over tighten spark plugs, just tight enough.
Ignition Coil Installation 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
Insert ignition coil on engine head opening. Line up ignition coil bolt bolt hole with engine head hole and press them in. Install and tighten ignition coil 10mm bolt, do not over tighten as you might crack ignition coil body. Plug in ignition coil electrical connector and push in safety tab.
Start engine. Leave it running for a minute or so confirming everything is working properly. Install engine plastic cover. Line up cover clips and rubber bushing and pres cover in place firmly.
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