With the advanced modernization of vehicles and all the gadgetry they have nowadays, doing something as benign sounding as replacing spark plugs has become challenging to the common person. You may know this already if you've considered replacing the spark plugs in your Kia Sportage and popped the hood to see where they are. Or worse, maybe you already went and bought the spark plugs and then opened the hood. Keeping in mind you have some knowledge with the motor in your Kia Sportage, grab the manual and some tools and this article will try to help you through it.
Open the hood to the Kia Sportage. Do not perform this repair on a hot engine. If it is hot, allow it to cool down before going any further.
Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery using a hand wrench or ratchet and socket.
Locate and remove the air intake hose assembly to get it out of the way. Use the appropriate screwdrivers to loosen any clamps.
Locate and remove the accelerator throttle cable bracket using the ratchet and socket or a hand wrench.
Remove the coil cover from the cylinder head cover using the ratchet and socket. There are six bolts.
Remove the cylinder head cover. There are four bolts and two coils.
Twist the boot on the high tension leads attached to each spark plug and pull them off.
Inspect the spark plug cavity to ensure there is no debris or dirt inside. If so, blow it out or vacuum it out.
Place the spark plug socket onto the 12-inch long extension and ratchet and insert it onto the spark plug. Remove the spark plugs.
Gap the new plugs to .039 to .043 inches.
Apply a very light coat of anti-seize compound lubricant to the threads of the new spark plug(s).
Install the spark plug into the cylinder using the extension and socket only. Do not use the ratchet to tighten until you're sure the spark plug has threaded into the bore correctly. Cross threading a spark plug can damage the cylinder head.
Tighten the plug to 13 to 15 foot pounds using the spark plug socket, the extension and the adjustable torque wrench.
Reconnect the tension leads.
Reconnect the coils and four bolts to the cylinder head cover.
Reconnect the coil cover and six bolts.
Reconnect the accelerator throttle cable bracket
Reconnect the air intake hose.
Reconnect the negative battery terminal.
Test start the Sportage to ensure it's running properly.
