Why You Should Remove Spark Plugs During Header Install - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

*The_Blur* · 03-16-2014, 04:55 PM

I did not do so, and I suffered $15 worth of consequences. It could have been worse. These are for cylinders 5 and 7, the back spark plugs on the driver side of my L99.

The symptoms of this problem appeared a couple of minutes after install. The ride became very rough and there was a noticeable flutter sound that accelerated with engine speed. The vehicle was drivable, but it wasn't smooth and a "Service Stabilitrak" message appeared on the DIC, along with all 3 traction lights and a blinking CEL. The vehicle code read P0305. After fixing that, it read P0307.

The car has not read codes since.

Denis · 03-16-2014, 05:18 PM

True story...

BubbaSS · 03-16-2014, 07:16 PM

Happened to me too...cylinder 8

revived · 03-16-2014, 07:22 PM

How did you find out you cracked your plugs my car seems to run fine but has constant cel

axis · 03-16-2014, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revived

How did you find out you cracked your plugs my car seems to run fine but has constant cel

Are you tuned? What codes are you throwing?

revived · 03-16-2014, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axis

Are you tuned? What codes are you throwing?

Not yet, haven't read them either.

Apart from the codes, are there any tell tail signs?

axis · 03-16-2014, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revived

Not yet, haven't read them either.

Apart from the codes, are there any tell tail signs?

Since you aren't tuned, your CEL is going to be the cat efficiency code. Nothing you can do about that until you get it tuned. That happens on EVERY SS that gets LT's and no tune. You may or may not have more than one code so it would be a good idea to get it checked at the local autozone or the like.

ZO6 Bryan · 03-16-2014, 09:17 PM

Yep don't be lazy. Pull your spark plugs first before you do a header install

Dexter9522 · 03-16-2014, 10:39 PM

^ what he said. And you will notice the car being a little sluggish. And service stabilitrak is usually a good indication u cracked one. Have it scanned an it will tell you which cylinder the issue is with. #8 for me when I did mine.

Deke736 · 03-16-2014, 10:49 PM

Yep, I installed my headers a few weeks ago and broke the same two plugs you did. One broke completely during install, and the other turned out to be cracked after I took it for a drive and got all the same warnings you did. I learned my lesson. Easy fix though, and I'm glad that's all it was. Enjoy the new headers!

RatedZ · 03-16-2014, 10:53 PM

Also, the motor when running will not only run loopy, but will vibrate. Easiest way to tell which cylinder is either not plugged in (the wire) or a damaged spark plug is to pull the plug on the coil pack and when you do if the engine continues to run loopy, try another. When you pull a plug on a coil pack and the engine calms down, that is your problem wire or plug.

SamHouseIII · 03-16-2014, 11:22 PM

Thanks for the tip, I was wondering about that

Bo White · 03-17-2014, 12:39 AM

I've never pulled plugs on an LS car putting headers on. Lucky I guess.

patternpilot · 03-17-2014, 12:42 AM

Broke one also. Ran like it had a miss. Just one so it was an easy fix. I only ran it for a few minutes and never got a CEL or code.

03-16-2014, 04:55 PM	#1
The_Blur Moderator Drives: 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 14,769	Why You Should Remove Spark Plugs During Header Install I did not do so, and I suffered $15 worth of consequences. It could have been worse. These are for cylinders 5 and 7, the back spark plugs on the driver side of my L99. The symptoms of this problem appeared a couple of minutes after install. The ride became very rough and there was a noticeable flutter sound that accelerated with engine speed. The vehicle was drivable, but it wasn't smooth and a "Service Stabilitrak" message appeared on the DIC, along with all 3 traction lights and a blinking CEL. The vehicle code read P0305. After fixing that, it read P0307. The car has not read codes since. __________________ RDP Motorsport//GEN5DIY//Cultrag Performance//JPSS//Rodgets Chevrolet// Operation Demon//Buy at Invoice//RACECARWEAR RESPECT ALL CARS. LOVE YOUR OWN. warn 145:159 ban

03-16-2014, 05:18 PM	#2
Denis Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Yorktown Heights, NY Posts: 7,695 View My Garage	True story... __________________

03-16-2014, 07:16 PM	#3
BubbaSS WHAT RED LIGHT?! Drives: 2011 Black Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,115	Happened to me too...cylinder 8 __________________ 2011 2SS/RS M6 BLACK - VARARAM NO TUNE INTAKE, MODDED AND PORTED TB, PORTED INTAKE MANIFOLD, VITESSE THROTTLE CONTROLLER, DOUG THORLEY LT'S, CATLESS, X-PIPE, 25" STAINLESS WORKS RETRO CHAMBERED MUFFLERS, CUSTOM 2.5" MANDREL BENT EXHAUST, RICHMOND 4.10 GEARS, CUSTOM CAM (231/242 @ 114LSA), MUSTANG DYNO TUNED BY TORQ, 20% CERAMIC TINTS, EIBACH PROKIT SPRINGS 1" DROP, HAWK PERFORMANCE CERAMIC BRAKES, NITTO INVO TIRES, HYDROCARBON TAIL LIGHT AND FOG LIGHT BEZELS BY EMBLEMPROS, METRA DASH KIT, JVC KW-AV71BT, PHOENIX GOLD iAMP GM1, PASSPORT QI45 - 450 RWHP 415 RWTQ

03-16-2014, 07:22 PM	#4
revived Vrrrm. Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: MA Posts: 1,495	How did you find out you cracked your plugs my car seems to run fine but has constant cel __________________

03-16-2014, 10:49 PM	#10
Deke736 COTW 12/3/12 Drives: 2012 Ashen Gray ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glen Carbon, IL Posts: 3,279	Yep, I installed my headers a few weeks ago and broke the same two plugs you did. One broke completely during install, and the other turned out to be cracked after I took it for a drive and got all the same warnings you did. I learned my lesson. Easy fix though, and I'm glad that's all it was. Enjoy the new headers! __________________

03-16-2014, 09:17 PM	#8
ZO6 Bryan Drives: 02 Z06, 95 Trans Am, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,838 View My Garage	Yep don't be lazy. Pull your spark plugs first before you do a header install __________________ Bryan 2018 ZL1 M6

03-16-2014, 10:39 PM	#9
Dexter9522 Drives: SS Join Date: May 2013 Location: Az Posts: 273	^ what he said. And you will notice the car being a little sluggish. And service stabilitrak is usually a good indication u cracked one. Have it scanned an it will tell you which cylinder the issue is with. #8 for me when I did mine.

03-16-2014, 10:53 PM	#11
RatedZ Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Overthere Posts: 527	Also, the motor when running will not only run loopy, but will vibrate. Easiest way to tell which cylinder is either not plugged in (the wire) or a damaged spark plug is to pull the plug on the coil pack and when you do if the engine continues to run loopy, try another. When you pull a plug on a coil pack and the engine calms down, that is your problem wire or plug.

03-16-2014, 11:22 PM	#12
SamHouseIII I Carry! Drives: 2013 CRT ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Fletcher, Ok Posts: 2,722	Thanks for the tip, I was wondering about that __________________ I am a Modaholic!! Please Help!! Do Not feed my addicition....See build... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261540 From Oklahoma, Join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/okcamaros/

03-17-2014, 12:39 AM	#13
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	I've never pulled plugs on an LS car putting headers on. Lucky I guess. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

03-17-2014, 12:42 AM	#14
patternpilot Drives: 2012 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tri-Cities WA. Posts: 928 View My Garage	Broke one also. Ran like it had a miss. Just one so it was an easy fix. I only ran it for a few minutes and never got a CEL or code. __________________ There's more to life than gas mileage LS3, Whipple, Custom Comp Cam, springs, pushrods, timing set, CAI intake, Apex cold air scoop, Doug Thorley TRI-Y headers, Billet Custom Products baffled Valve covers, Mighty Mouse Catch can, ADM FPCM, ZL1 fuel pump, MSD boost-a-pump, Hex Vent hood vents, ProSport gauges(fuel pressure, AFR, Boost), Corsa, 100 cell Cats. Jannetty remote tuned, Pfadt trailing arms, all parts user installed. No Dyno yet. Manual trans. 3.45 gears.