Honda Car Forum

I have changed the three spark plugs in the front that are easy to access. I do not know how to access the three spark plugs in the back. Can someone assist on this one?

I do not own 2000 3.2 TL. I do own an '00 V6 Accord, and an '06 TL. I have changed the plugs in my Accord, and I know what you mean...it's a challenge to get to the back ones.Not sure if you have a top tower brace (a metal tube that stretches across the right & left suspension strut towers). If you have one, you might need to remove it.Having the right tools on hand is important. You'll need a 3/8" socket wratchet (for removing the old plugs), a 3/8" torque wrench (for installing the new ones), along with your deep-well sparkplug socket w. internal rubber gasket. It's also handy to have a 3/8" stubby wratchet since with it you'll have more 'feel' for re-guiding & threading the new sparkplugs back into their holes. You'll also need a 3/8" swivel, plus several legnths of 3/8" socket drive extensions...3", 6", and even perhaps a 12" legnth will be helpful (necessary).With the aforementioned tools available, getting the plugs out shouldn't be such a tough thing...it's getting the new ones in that's more of a challenge. Use a very small amount of anti-seize lubricant on the spark plug threads...not too much. Assemble the optimal legnth socket drive extension to your sparkplug socket, and to the swivel connect that assembly onto your drive wrench. Again, a stubby wrench comes in handy for helping you to finesse the correct alignment of the plug into the threads. It's critical to not 'cross-thread' the cylinder head during this process...shouldn't have to apply lots of force to get the plugs going into their threads. Once you have a few turns established, you can switch over to your torque wrench, to complete the process. One little 'trick'. I've found that sometimes the rubber gasket internal to the sparkplug socket fits rather tightly with the plug. It's maddening to install a sparkplug, then tug on the wrench only to find that your socket is left stuck in the sparkplug well. What's helpful is to remove the rubber gasket before you begin this whole process, and trim some of the rubber away to make for a modest, but not too tight of a fit with the sparkplug insulator. That way, the socket will easily release from the sparkplug once you've finished tightening it.Hope this helps.The other solution is of course to take the car to a shop & pay them the $$ for the work.Regards.

I don't have the car, but I do have many years of experience working with cars that has same engine layout. In most cars, you can lift up the front end and you can work from the under the car. Extend your arm upward to the engine block. Most of minivans or Japanese imports can be done this way.However, if you cannot reach from bottom of the engine block, then you will have to remove intake components to get from the top. Japanese cars use rubber gaskets so you can safely remove everything and reinstall without worrying about needing a new gasket.