Jeep Cherokee
Spark Plugs Replacement Guide
How to change the engine spark plugs in a
5th generation 2014 to 2018 Jeep Cherokee with the 2.4L I4 motor.
2015 Cherokee 2.4L I4 |
Lift Off Plastic Engine Cover |
Engine Cover Removed |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the fifth generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and probably
also the revised 2018 model year) Jeep Cherokee in checking or
changing the spark plugs in the Tigershark MultiAir 2 2.4 liter
inline four cylinder engine. Owners of other Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat and RAM vehicles such as the Compass, Renegade, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, 500, Town & Country, 200, 300, Pacifica, Challenger, Charger, Dart, Durango, Journey, Grand Caravan, RAM 1500, C/V Tradesman and ProMaster Van may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement spark plugs with their part numbers are as follows: Denso 5343, Autolite XP5325, ACDelco 41-835, Champion REC12MCC4 (446), Denso SK16HR11 and Denso (4703) IKH16TT Iridium. The tools needed to access and replace the spark plugs include a pop rivet removal tool, a 10mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratchet, a 5/8" spark plug socket, a 3/8" drive ratchet and a tube of dielectric grease. |
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Clean Off Top of Engine |
Pry Out Pop Rivet |
Broken Fastener |
The first two steps
are to open the hood and then gently pull off the plastic engine cover. Set the engine cover aside in a safe place. Remove the single fastener that secures the air intake to the top of the engine by using a pop rivet removal tool. I wasn't able to remove the pop rivet and the top part of it broke off. I later replaced it with a new pop rivet. |
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Swivel Away Air Intake |
Spark Plug Ignition Coil |
Slide Out Red Lock Tab |
Swivel the air
intake away from the top of the engine. If you have a wet/dry vacuum or a compressed air tank, thoroughly clean off the top of the engine to help prevent from having debris fall down in to the spark plug well. I also recommend only checking or changing one spark plug at a time to further reduce the risk of having something fall down in to the engine cylinder. Slide back the red tab on the electrical connector to unlock it. |
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Press Tab - Unplug |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
10mm Bolt Removed |
Push down the
release tab before sliding the power plug straight off the ignition coil
housing. Remove the single bolt that secures the ignition coil to the top of the engine by turning it counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. Set the 10mm bolt aside in a safe place. |
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Rotate Back & Forth |
Pull Out Ignition Coil Housing |
Spark Plug Well |
Rotate the ignition
coil back and forth a few times to make sure that the rubber boot is not
stuck or "frozen" to the top of the old spark plug. Lift the ignition coil straight out of the spark plug well and set it aside in a safe place. |
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5/8" Spark Plug Socket |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
Spin Out Old Spark Plug |
Attach the
5/8" spark plug socket to a 6"
extension bar and a 3/8" drive
ratchet. Lower the socket in to the cylinder well and attach it to the top of the old spark plug. Carefully loosen the old spark plug by rotating it counterclockwise. Try to avoid using excessive force to loosen the old spark plug to prevent from cracking the ceramic portion of the plug. If you have trouble loosening the old spark plug, spray a small amount of penetrating oil such as PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench or Kano Kroil and wait at least 15 to 30 minutes before trying to loosen it again. If you don't have any penetrating oil, try spraying some WD-40 or warm up the engine for about 10-15 minutes to expand the metal engine block. Once the old spark plug is loose, detach the ratchet from the extension bar and spin it out the rest of the way by hand. |
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Old Spark Plug Removed |
Inspect Old Spark Plug |
Lower In New Spark Plug |
Lift the old spark plug out of the well and remove it from the socket. Inspect both ends of the old spark plug. If the electrode end of the old spark plug looks ashy white, the plugs may have been exposed to high temperatures such as overheating or they could be the incorrect heat range for your driving conditions or local climate. On the other hand, if the old spark plug is dark grey or coated in black soot, the engine might be burning oil and should be examined by a professional mechanic. (An optional step is to apply some anti-seize lubricant grease to the threads on the new spark plug. Most spark plug manufacturers recommend that you should not use anti-seize since it can lead to over tightening.) The OEM spark plugs are part number Champion REC10WMPB4 (9775). I recommend buying the Denso (4703) IKH16TT iridium spark plugs since they have excellent reviews on Amazon. If you have a spark plug gap gauge, check the gap on the new spark plugs and verify that they match the manufacturer's specifications on the box. Push the new spark plug in to the socket and lower it in the well. |
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Spin In Clockwise |
Tighten Clockwise |
Apply Dielectric Grease |
Spin in the new
spark plug by hand in the clockwise direction until it makes contact with
the engine block. Tightening the spark plug by hand at first will help prevent it from becoming cross threaded. Attach the 3/8" drive ratchet to the 6" extension bar and continue tightening the new spark plug in the clockwise direction. If you are re-installing the old spark plug, just tighten it to a small fraction of a turn past hand tight. If you are installing a new spark plug, tighten it to just past the point when you feel the new crush washer collapse. Do not over tighten the spark plug to prevent from cracking the ceramic body or stripping the aluminum threads. (If you used anti-seize grease lubricant, be very careful to not over tighten the new spark plug.) Double check that the new spark plug is tight before moving on to the next steps. Apply some dielectric grease to the opening in the rubber dust boot at the bottom of the ignition coil housing.The dielectric grease will keep out any moisture or debris and help ensure a reliable electrical connection. |
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Lower In Ignition Coil |
Rotate Back & Forth |
Spin In 10mm Bolt |
Lower the ignition
coil down in to the spark plug well. Rotate the ignition coil back and forth a few times to help distribute the dielectric grease. Re-insert the 10mm bolt and spin it in a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to help prevent it from becoming cross threaded. |
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Push On Power Plug |
Slide In Red Locking Tab |
Swing Down Air Intake |
Push the power plug
on to the ignition coil until it clicks securely in to place. Slide in the red tab to lock the power plug in place. Swing the air intake down over the top of the engine. |
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Push In Pop Rivet |
Lower Engine Cover |
Spark Plugs Replaced |
Push in the pop
rivet to secure the air intake. Line up the rubber friction fasteners on the underside of the plastic cover with their corresponding metal pegs on the top of the engine. Push the engine cover down in to place. Start the engine and listen for any strange noises that might indicate a problem such as a loose spark plug or a disconnected power plug. Be sure to record the spark plug change in your SUV's service records. For more,
check out all of my
Jeep Cherokee DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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