Hello guys,
My third new topic post in the last 18 hrs. 97 Sunfire GT 2.4 engine. Tried changing plugs today. This was a new experience!
Put in Bosch Platinum Plugs, but am confused about how to get the whole boot / bolted cover thing together again.
Ok, do I ....put the boots on the plugs and try to install the cover(I did this but It did not work
ended up tearing a boot and cracking a plastic sleeve taking them back off, guess I buy new ones tomorrow),
or do I, grease the heck out of the boots and install them on the cover and put it all on as a unit?
Thanks in advance ...gary

put dielectric grease in the rubber boot
put the rubber boot in the hard plastic sleeve if they've come out
snap the hard plastic sleeves (4 of them) onto the IDI cover/module
put the IDI cover back in its place, it'll fall into place when the boots line up with the plug/holes..


i've noticed the fuel rail interferes with the IDI plug, you can take out the 10mm bolt on the bracket and that'll let you move it out of the way


i dont have this problem anymore, since i converted to MSD coils

14.82 @ 97 mph

My buddy and I were looking at this and thought the idea was pretty funky. We also figured that someone had converted it to something by now that would be much easier.
I cant do it at this time, just need to get the thing running correctly. But what is the conversion?
thaks...gary

Before changing the plugs on my 2.4, I bought a manual and scoped it out first since it was obviously different from my past experience. Doing that saved me a lot of trouble. These units aren't particularly difficult or funky, but they do have a bad rep for failure, in some (if not many) cases due to improper cleanliness or assembly. (Can't tell you how many threads I've read where someone has broken something while working with these.) I've never had any trouble, but some have and often the coil pack/cover are the first items stripped from these engines in the junkyards. The common conversion involves the coil pack from the 2.2 engine and there are threads involving that in the Performance Forum. Another option is the Neon coil conversion and of course some use variations with aftermarket parts. But then, the plugs aren't changed that often anyway and if you're careful you may never have a problem in normal use. Good luck.

It's not a hard process to replace the cover and coil housing. Just make sure when you are putting the cover back on to the boots that you hear ALL FOUR boots snap on to the coils. If you don't hear / feel them snap they are not seated correctly. Also, Dielectric grease will help the seating process like crazy.


Smile! All things fade with time...

I went to AZ today and bought all new boots/sleeves and two packs of dielectric grease. I am going to really slick the boots down before I slide the cover back on. I can then move on to my bad starter, non charging alternator,replacing the whole brake system, bad lock cylinders, struts.......gary

gary moore wrote:I went to AZ today and bought all new boots/sleeves and two packs of dielectric grease. I am going to really slick the boots down before I slide the cover back on. I can then move on to my bad starter, non charging alternator,replacing the whole brake system, bad lock cylinders, struts.......gary

I know I'm getting sidetracked, but...

Alternator. There is a fusible link, and if that's broke, then it's not going to charge. That could be part of your starter problem as well.

I have done a lot of stuff since last post. Seems that the starter and alternator were bad. I replaced the original battery leads and started adding grounds to replace the tiny ground wire that was original to the car. Cleaned all ground mounts, will end up with something similar to the "Big Three Upgrade' but not so extensive when finished. I have no massive audio in this car, just want to not replace starters and alternators yearly. I checked the fuseable link, it was nice and rigid, no bendy so I am reusing it. I actually pulled it clean off the back of the alternator when I dropped the starter and will have to replace the ring connector and add length to the wire so it doesnt happen again the next time it is replaced (hopefully by the next owner). I am making sure that all the wires will allow the starter to sit on the garage floor when removed, that way wires are not damaged when it drops to the floor upon removal.
I have never seen so many wires and harnesses and components jammed into a engine bay in my life. Had to remove a couple of radiator hoses to get the alternator out after pulling it.
Fun, Fun, Fun
Thanks for posting.....gary

Oh Yeah, I replaced all the boots, greased the crap out of them with dialectric grease and slid them on. Seemed like it went ok, but could not start it due to the dead alt. starter etc. so we will see what happens on tues. Should be turning it over about noon central time....gary