Spark Plugs - Honda Pilot

NCG8R · 07-10-2008, 07:18 AM

After 120,000 miles I figure it's time to chenge the plugs. Can someone provide the "degree of difficulty"? What needs to be removed and do I need to be a contortionist to get them all?

Plug recommendations appreciated also.

THANKS

2003 Pilot

Layspeed · 07-10-2008, 11:22 AM

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being "take it to someone who knows how") I'd call it a 4. You just need to remove the plastic engine cover, disconnect the individual ignition coils and remove them...then the spark plugs. You'll need a 10mm socket, 5mm hex socket/allen wrench, 5/8" spark plug socket, 3/8" drive ratchet along with the correct combination of extensions. The back 3 plugs are a little bit of a reach...but I'm not that tall, so I just grab a pillow and lay on the radiator support/hood while doing them so I'm not straining my back. Use the OEM plugs. Hope that helps. Good luck.

NCG8R · 07-10-2008, 12:26 PM

Thanks for the reply and for detailing the tools required. I need to see if I have a 5mm hex socket (if not another toy to buy in my effort to stimulate the local economy).

Doesn't seem too difficult a job.

Layspeed · 07-13-2008, 03:40 AM

Sure thing, have fun eh. I haven't bought tools for some time as I've spent the past 8 years stimulating the economy in vain.

etsooner · 07-21-2008, 08:48 AM

Changed Spark Plugs yesterday. Yes, the back three are a real bugger. I drove about 8 miles afterward with what seemed like no problems. Got in to go to work this morninga and it was very sluggish and the engine malfunction light came on. Drove a couple of miles and pulled over. I turned the engine off and restarted. The light went off and it was no longer sluggish. Hoping I didn't screw anything up. Any ideas what would cause this? Currently not in a position financially for a costly repair.

Layspeed · 07-21-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by etsooner
Changed Spark Plugs yesterday. Yes, the back three are a real bugger. I drove about 8 miles afterward with what seemed like no problems. Got in to go to work this morninga and it was very sluggish and the engine malfunction light came on. Drove a couple of miles and pulled over. I turned the engine off and restarted. The light went off and it was no longer sluggish. Hoping I didn't screw anything up. Any ideas what would cause this? Currently not in a position financially for a costly repair.

What kind of plugs did you use? I would suggest rechecking the individual Coil-Over-Plug connectors. Maybe one was not clicked on all the way? Just double check everything was put back on correctly. If the light does come back on, I would take it somewhere just to see what the code is.

etsooner · 07-21-2008, 10:45 AM

I will check those, as one was a real pain and I am not sure I got the screw tightened all the way. I used NGK Platinum's. I am hoping is is something as simple as tightening it down. The fron three are good. It was the back three that may need some adjusting. Thanks for the input.

NCG8R · 07-21-2008, 11:19 AM

Got my plugs in this weekend and, knock on wood, everything seems to be OK so far. I actually had a harder time with the front center one - fan shroud is in the way - and figuring out which combination of socket extensions gave me the best clearance. Since the plugs cost about $9 a piece I hope these last 120K miles like the originals.

Thanks again for your advice!

22350VCPILOT · 07-21-2008, 07:52 PM

FYI- My local Honda dealer quoted me $250 to replace the spark plugs on my pilot.

humanoid · 07-21-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 22350VCPILOT
FYI- My local Honda dealer quoted me $250 to replace the spark plugs on my pilot.

Which $tealership.. so I know which one to avoid!

Wolfman_matt · 07-25-2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Since the plugs cost about $9 a piece I hope these last 120K miles like the originals.

$9 is a steal for an OEM Honda plug. The list price from Honda is $18.08 and the best I was able to find was $13.34 plus shipping. Can I ask where you found them?

humanoid · 07-25-2008, 11:58 AM

Go to sparkplugs.com and get them there. Get the Denso or NGK plugs from them.

Layspeed · 07-25-2008, 07:05 PM

I replaced mine with NGK Iridium, for no other reason other than, they were a little cheaper than the Laser Platinum which is the OEM plug - you can buy them both at Kragen Auto Parts (or whatever it's called in your area) I have noticed no engine running difference from before changing the plugs, except very slightly improved fuel economy, which I attribute to the old plugs.

Here's a link to the Laser Platinum http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=960&PTSet=A

Wolfman_matt · 07-25-2008, 07:32 PM

It looks like the NGK double platinum plugs are sold at most parts stores but can anyone confirm that they are the same as the OEM Honda parts? I'd like to make sure I get the ones with the 105k service interval but can't find any reference to that other than from Honda.

humanoid · 07-25-2008, 07:38 PM

Matt, make sure you compare the spark plug # below:

NGK Spark Plug: Plug No. PZFR5F-11

07-10-2008, 07:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
NCG8R Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Spark Plugs After 120,000 miles I figure it's time to chenge the plugs. Can someone provide the "degree of difficulty"? What needs to be removed and do I need to be a contortionist to get them all? Plug recommendations appreciated also. THANKS 2003 Pilot __________________ EX-L Sagebrush

07-10-2008, 11:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Layspeed Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Modesto, CALIFORNIA Posts: 112 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	On a scale of 1-10 (10 being "take it to someone who knows how") I'd call it a 4. You just need to remove the plastic engine cover, disconnect the individual ignition coils and remove them...then the spark plugs. You'll need a 10mm socket, 5mm hex socket/allen wrench, 5/8" spark plug socket, 3/8" drive ratchet along with the correct combination of extensions. The back 3 plugs are a little bit of a reach...but I'm not that tall, so I just grab a pillow and lay on the radiator support/hood while doing them so I'm not straining my back. Use the OEM plugs. Hope that helps. Good luck. __________________ ~ Lay & Vina ~ - 2003 Nighthawk Black Pearl, EX-L 4WD - 1991 Honda CRX Si - 1978 Honda CVCC wagon - 1.6L DOHC ZC swap

07-10-2008, 12:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
NCG8R Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the reply and for detailing the tools required. I need to see if I have a 5mm hex socket (if not another toy to buy in my effort to stimulate the local economy). Doesn't seem too difficult a job. __________________ EX-L Sagebrush

07-13-2008, 03:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Layspeed Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Modesto, CALIFORNIA Posts: 112 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sure thing, have fun eh. I haven't bought tools for some time as I've spent the past 8 years stimulating the economy in vain. __________________ ~ Lay & Vina ~ - 2003 Nighthawk Black Pearl, EX-L 4WD - 1991 Honda CRX Si - 1978 Honda CVCC wagon - 1.6L DOHC ZC swap

07-21-2008, 11:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
NCG8R Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Got my plugs in this weekend and, knock on wood, everything seems to be OK so far. I actually had a harder time with the front center one - fan shroud is in the way - and figuring out which combination of socket extensions gave me the best clearance. Since the plugs cost about $9 a piece I hope these last 120K miles like the originals. Thanks again for your advice! __________________ EX-L Sagebrush

07-21-2008, 08:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
etsooner Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 20 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Changed Spark Plugs yesterday. Yes, the back three are a real bugger. I drove about 8 miles afterward with what seemed like no problems. Got in to go to work this morninga and it was very sluggish and the engine malfunction light came on. Drove a couple of miles and pulled over. I turned the engine off and restarted. The light went off and it was no longer sluggish. Hoping I didn't screw anything up. Any ideas what would cause this? Currently not in a position financially for a costly repair.

07-21-2008, 10:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
etsooner Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 20 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I will check those, as one was a real pain and I am not sure I got the screw tightened all the way. I used NGK Platinum's. I am hoping is is something as simple as tightening it down. The fron three are good. It was the back three that may need some adjusting. Thanks for the input.

07-21-2008, 07:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
22350VCPILOT Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 18 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	FYI- My local Honda dealer quoted me $250 to replace the spark plugs on my pilot. __________________ 2004 Honda Pilot EX-l Navi AirLift 1000 springs

07-25-2008, 11:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
humanoid Super Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sunny SoCal Posts: 2,970 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Go to sparkplugs.com and get them there. Get the Denso or NGK plugs from them. __________________ 2005 EX-L Sage Brush Pearl -->OEM Running Boards, OEM rear mud guards, OEM crossbars, AVS bug deflector, 5000K HIDs, OEM Accord EX emblem, full sized spare, Hella FF 75 driving lamps, Nifty CatchAll Mats <------------ click here first, n0oB!!!

07-25-2008, 07:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
Layspeed Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Modesto, CALIFORNIA Posts: 112 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I replaced mine with NGK Iridium, for no other reason other than, they were a little cheaper than the Laser Platinum which is the OEM plug - you can buy them both at Kragen Auto Parts (or whatever it's called in your area) I have noticed no engine running difference from before changing the plugs, except very slightly improved fuel economy, which I attribute to the old plugs. Here's a link to the Laser Platinum http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=960&PTSet=A __________________ ~ Lay & Vina ~ - 2003 Nighthawk Black Pearl, EX-L 4WD - 1991 Honda CRX Si - 1978 Honda CVCC wagon - 1.6L DOHC ZC swap

07-25-2008, 07:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
Wolfman_matt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Apex, NC Posts: 176 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It looks like the NGK double platinum plugs are sold at most parts stores but can anyone confirm that they are the same as the OEM Honda parts? I'd like to make sure I get the ones with the 105k service interval but can't find any reference to that other than from Honda. __________________ Sagebrush Pilot EX I-VES DVD fog lights MDX Wheels Chrome side steps chrome grill and handles Yakima Rack Woodgrain steering wheel

07-25-2008, 07:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
humanoid Super Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sunny SoCal Posts: 2,970 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Matt, make sure you compare the spark plug # below: NGK Spark Plug: Plug No. PZFR5F-11 __________________ 2005 EX-L Sage Brush Pearl -->OEM Running Boards, OEM rear mud guards, OEM crossbars, AVS bug deflector, 5000K HIDs, OEM Accord EX emblem, full sized spare, Hella FF 75 driving lamps, Nifty CatchAll Mats <------------ click here first, n0oB!!!

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