changing spark plugs - please tell me its not this hard

Do I really need to remove the gas tank to change the plugs on my 2000 RS ?

If so, how do I do that? There are the 2 screws under the seat and the main one at the front of the tank, but then there are the gas line connections to deal with on the right side near the back of the tank. Is this all or is there anything else under there that needs to be disconnected?

Thanks in advance.

[Sport]

First, find a location to place the tank...like on top of tires or a cardboard box. The remove the three bolts (two at rear under seat and one up front), two quick disconnect fuel lines on right side, two drain lines on right side and the fuel sending unit wire connector at the bottom. To get the wire disconnected, lift aft portion of tank up approx. 8-10 inches turn it counter clockwise until the lowest portion of the tank can sit/lean on frame, disconnect the wire and remove tank.

Airbox

I believe the 2000 model still used the flat Air Filter, so these instructions may not be entirely accurate either as my 2002 ST uses a donut style Air Filter.

Its been a while since I've done this so my memory may not be accurate; nevertheless, Remove the two large hoses at the forward end of the airbox. There is one hex screw at the aft end of the airbox, remove it. I believe there are one or two more towards the forward end, but...
In short, there should be no need to split the airbox (accomplished by removing the screws around the perimeter of the airbox) unless you want to inspect the air filter. There is one wire connection on top and I think several on the bottom of the Air box...there should be no reason to remove these either. The Air box should tilt back and stand on end giving you plenty of access room to the plugs. You may have a soft plastic baffle covering the top of the engine, just pull it back to gain access to the plugs.

The Plug wires also dub as the coil at the plug socket. Just twist and give a good yank.


Hope this helps.


[ This message was edited by: Sport on 2005-05-12 09:29 ]

[Diderich]

it's not hard. Sport basically got it. It does have the flat filter and there is only the one screw in the aft of the airbox, and you don't have to remove the air hoses in the front. Pull everything off slowly in case you missed a wire. The airbox is connected to the intake via some spring clamps and it takes some force to remove, so don't despair. There is a hook on the front but nothing needs to be done with it. If you don't want to you can get to the plugs without removing some of the wires from the air box. Just remove the ones on the left and move it out of the way.

There are lots of little wires and such to remove here and there, but they are all pretty easy.

Definitely don't split the airbox.

I'm surprised at how much there is to do to deal with the plugs, but I guess thats just the way things go.

Thanks for the info guys.

I think I'll leave the plugs until after tomorrow - Port Dover here I come.

[jefftarlton]

Yes, they are hard to get to. Unleaded fuel, EFI, and a good hot spark mean they don't need to be replaced much.

[AAA]

I love the Sprint, but when it came to changing plugs, I did long back for my XJ900.

With a bit of a bendy plug socket, the procedure was as follows:
1- Remove plug cap
2 - Unscrew plug
3 - Tighten new plug
4 - Swear due to grazed knuckles
5 - Attach Plug cap
Repeat x 4
6 - Drive away, 5 min after start.

For the sprint, the Swearing started shortly after getting the Haynes manual out, and didn't stop the first hour or so.....