Scared to change original plugs in my 2006 5.3.

[No F-bdy Bs]

I have owned this truck since new. Nelson tuned it at about 10,000mi. It runs like a sewing machine 10+yrs,and 135,000mi later.

 

However, in the last month, I have nkticed a slight stumble just off idle.

 

A plug change would be eaisly done in 30min,but I have qualms about trying to extract a 10yr old plug from the alum heads. God forbid they pull some threads out with them.

 

Question is, did GM use any anti-sieze with the stock plugs? Am I worried for nothing?

 

 

Lastly, are the stock AC Delco plugs good enough? Its a stock engine with a 93 tune.

 

Thanks!

[desrtrat]

no anti seize on factory plugs. spray the plugs with PB Blaster, or Sea foam deep creep as you would do with any bolt, let set over night if possible. remove as normal. put a lite coat of anti seize on threads. i would change wires also due to age, and possibility of damage when removing them. put dielectric grease on both ends of the plug boots, don't need much, just a coating, will make it easier to remove next time.. stock plugs/wires are the best for a GM motor..JMO

 

good luck

[Daryl LBZ]

no anti seize on factory plugs. spray the plugs with PB Blaster, or Sea foam deep creep as you would do with any bolt, let set over night if possible. remove as normal. put a lite coat of anti seize on threads. i would change wires also due to age, and possibility of damage when removing them. put dielectric grease on both ends of the plug boots, don't need much, just a coating, will make it easier to remove next time.. stock plugs/wires are the best for a GM motor..JMO

 

good luck

Totally agree with everything you said. Great advice.

[diyer2]

X2^^^^^

[bgbdwlf2500]

My truck that I just bought has 103k. It's a 2010. It ran pretty good but the new plugs and wires I installed made it run so much better. The difference is huge. It'll take about an hour and a half and there will be some cussing but it's worth it.

[Nanotech Environmental]

I have owned this truck since new. Nelson tuned it at about 10,000mi. It runs like a sewing machine 10+yrs,and 135,000mi later.

 

However, in the last month, I have nkticed a slight stumble just off idle.

 

A plug change would be eaisly done in 30min,but I have qualms about trying to extract a 10yr old plug from the alum heads. God forbid they pull some threads out with them.

 

Question is, did GM use any anti-sieze with the stock plugs? Am I worried for nothing?

 

 

Lastly, are the stock AC Delco plugs good enough? Its a stock engine with a 93 tune.

 

Thanks!

I have an 06 5.3 with a lot more miles in the salt belt & I did mine last year. I had the same apprehensions as you, but the concerns were un-necessary.

They all came out without issue and I didn't even spray them with any penetrant beforehand. I replaced them with the same AC Delco plugs, added a bit of antiseize to the threads and also did the wires at the same time. This set should last until the next owner, whenever that is.

[bgbdwlf2500]

I forgot to mention they did come out easy enough but I was able to get a breaker bar on all of them so plenty of leverage but didn't spray any lube before hand. I did put anti seize on new ones

[vms4evr]

Just did my 06 - 5.3 today. 115K on it. Original plugs and wires. I replaced both. They were in pretty tight and fought a little. No breaker bar, standard ratchet. First 3-4 turns they were really tight. Plug wires required a little bit of hard twist and pry but came off with none breaking. AS noted, anti-seize on new plugs, and dielectric on the wires at both ends. Took me a few hours but I kept get interrupted while I was doing it. The rear plug on the passenger side is not really that bad.

The old plugs look surprisingly good.