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Replace the spark plugs?

Tiny
LILEEBUD
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
It recently flooded here in Houston. We drove the van through a little over a foot of water and it stalled. The tailpipe was not submerged. We pushed it the rest of the way to our driveway. We drained the water and the oil. No cross contamination. We also replaced the spark plugs with what O'Reily's looked up and said was appropriate plugs. The 1-3-5 plugs were mistakingly crossed. The car was started and revved, but never placed in gear or driven with them crossed. Since they were placed correctly, there is a knocking sound when placed in gear and when driven forward and back. We have only done this in the driveway, not actually driven it. We poured one can of Seafoam in the engine and one can of Seafoam in the fuel tank. There was no change in the knocking and still not actually driven, just a little back and forward in the drive. What is most likely the problem and may it be driven?
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 12:07 AM

21 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
The tailpipe getting wet isn't your concern. It's the air filter that matters. If the intake drew water in with the engine running it could do serious damage to pistons and connecting rods. Check your air filter and see if it got wet.

this is how you can install the spark plug correctly

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-spark-plugs

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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 2:13 AM
Tiny
LILEEBUD
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  • 4 POSTS
Yes! Oh, no! The air filter IS wet! What does that mean that is probably wrong with it?
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
It needs to be investigated further but You likely bent a connecting rod or two.

Water cannot be compressed so if it is drawn into the cylinder while the engine is spinning, something has to give and it's always the connecting rod. I've seen a couple that came right through the side of the block.
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
LILEEBUD
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It only knocks when it is in drive or reverse. The water was only about a foot and a half amd the air intake is at thw very top of my engine. The way it is situated, I don't see how it would have gotten into that compartment. :(

Does that mean that I cannot drive it AT ALL? I only work about 2 miles from home. What about driving it to a mechanic?
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 3:17 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
I can't tell you what is wrong with your car without seeing it. All I can do is tell you what the risks are. If your air filter is soaked, then there is no question it suck water in, just a question of how much.
I suggest you have the car diagnosed properly before driving it any more.
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 3:32 PM
Tiny
LILEEBUD
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It wasn't soaked. Just a bit wet. But thank you very much for your advice!
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
RALPERT77
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 114 MILES
How do I change the spark plugs and ignition wires on the 4.0 Litre 6 cylinder engine. The dealer claims it is a 2 hour job for the back 3 plugs and 1 hr for the front.
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The book says it takes 3.8 hours to replace the wires.

Most likely the upper intake has to be removed.

Get a second opinion from a shop, not a dealer for an estimate.

Why are you replacing them? Is very new for this failure

Roy
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES BLEVINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
2006 Chrysler Town and Country 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My Chrysler Town & Country has 60,000 miles and I'm wanting to change the plugs. The motor is setting sideways so front side will be easy. What is the best way to get to the plugs on the back side?

In response to your donation statements below, I would be more apt to donate after I receive a correct, prompt reply. And, what would be the approperate donation for the above question?
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUXNBAAS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I was under my caravan tonight running some new brake lines and I noticed that the back three plugs could possibly be accessed from underneath if you follow the rear exaust pipe up from the bottom. It might be difficult if your arms are like Popeyes but an average guy should be able to do it.

I dont work for the site, but if my suggestion helps, donate anyhow, they are very helpful to alot of people, lots of good info here. Beats calling the dealer, they give you an "I dont know" and tell you to bring it in for a $100 diagnostic
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAELHEBERTPC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 123,000 MILES
How do I replace spark plugs
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
Spark plugs just unbolt and are replaced with new ones. However, the proper gap needs set on them and you can not mix up the the wires to them. Do one at a time not to get them confused. The rear ones are tough. I have a lift to work on and get them from under the vehicle.
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-1
Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
123481710
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 1.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Okay well our van is jerking and during on us . We have replaced the fuil filter and fuel pump thinking that was the problem. Well it didn't help or solve anything. So we took it to get shecked out at the mechanic and he hooked it up to a machine and it said our motion sensor was bad (we just got a new one a couple weeks ago and new spark plugs) and we put on ANOTHER NEW sensor and the van wouldn't even crank. So we my father put a new Coil on it and it started to do better and they drove it for a while and it wanted to do the same thing. Well we took it to the parts store and they did a test in it and couldn't find anything wrong. But they said it may be the wiring but I and puzzled at how it could be the wiring because we have drive this vehicle for Three year with no problems at all
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,729 POSTS
Your last sentence amazes me. You can't understand how something could cause a problem because it never did before? That can be said of every problem on every car, van, bus, and airplane since the beginning of time. Well, except for those problems that came pre-installed at the factory.

The parts you listed are all over the place so I can't use that information to figure out exactly what is happening. Is the jerking in the steering wheel? Do you feel it in the seat, and entire vehicle, when trying to accelerate? Does it occur when just cruising at a steady speed? If so, at which speeds? Could this be related to the transmission and shifting? Do you feel one "bump", a vibration, a wobble, etc?

If this is an engine-related problem, please list the right engine size so I look up the right systems.

Also be aware diagnostic fault codes never say to replace parts. If you list the exact code number you got, you'll see it only indicates the circuit or system that needs further diagnosis, or the unacceptable operating condition. Please list that code number if you remember it.
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BILL STARCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Changing spark plugs on an '01 Town and Country v-6. Directions state "may have to remove firewall." Do they mean windshield cowl and how do I do this? I have 6 torx screws out of top of cowl. Do I need to take off windshield wipers too?
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Take the wipers off. Take the upper plastic shields off of the area between the wipers then after thats off go under hood and disconnect the bolts and electrical wires on wiper motor and the linkages. Then pull out themotor and linkage as an assembly then you should have unlimited access to the plugs
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
The vowel has tabs on it that has to be pryed up after wipers and arms and torx.
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SIEBREH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
How I can remove the last three spark plugs from my van. The last three spark plugs are located on the other side of the engine, and is so hard to get my hand in on the back of the engine to disconect the cables and olso remove just because my hand can get in to the space. It's another way to remove the spark plugs with out taking off the maniful o other components.

Thank you, for any information.
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2003T&CEX
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
You need to remove the windshield wipers and the front cowel you will then have plenty of access to remove the plugs and wires.
If you go to the library or purchase a repair manual by Chilton or Haynes there are pictures and step by step instructions.
It is pretty easy and straight forward.
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GPAWMKING
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 205,000 MILES
How to change plugs on backside of engine
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 12:22 PM (Merged)

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