Installed new MSD Ignition coils along with new set of Iridium Champion Plugs.
Items: MSD Ignition Coils and Iridium Champion Spark Plugs.
Vendors: Extremeterrain.com, Quadratec.com, 4wheelparts.com
Jeep Torque Wrenches: 4 out of 5.
I remember the time when doing a tune-up was pretty easy and straightforward, no need to remove way to many parts to get to the plugs/coils. The hardest part during those times was making sure the cap was dialed in correctly and the cables were the correct length.
Today we have to deal with ignition coils. Which is fine but on a JK it can be a pain in the butt.
First thing you need to do is pull your hood all the way back onto the windshield in order to have better visibility. Now remove the Jeep Plastic Cover, set aside. Start removing the wiring for the throttle body and remove your air intake hose from the throttle body. Next, need to make sure you remove all the house going into the upper intake. You need to also remove the driver side foam heat protector; this will expose the 3 ignition coils. The passenger side will be a pain. Next remove the rear two supports for the Jeep plastic cover (that goes over the upper intake), this will allow you to easily remove the foam heat protector. Now begin the process of removing the bolts on the upper intake, do not pull them all the way out, pull them up until they remain stationary in that upright position. There will be one towards the back of the upper intake towards the firewall, use a break wrench and break socket. Once those are all loose, I like to remove the brackets on the driver side that is located by the throttle body and the back area of the intake. Once those are removed, you will be able to easily pull the upper intake right out. Once out, great time to clean that whole area up, but make sure to tape off the holes exposed on the lower intake, this way no debris or sockets fall in there! I like to use a shop vac to clean up all the dust and dirt in that area. Once that is all set, time to start replacing the ignition coils.
MSD Ignition Coils...
You will have to remove the wiring connected to the stock ignition coil. Its just like all Jeep electric connector plugs, slide the red tab out to unlock and then push the button on the plug to pull it out. Use appropriate tools. I have a small pick like tool with a flat head on the other end that works great for those plug locks. Once those are out, go ahead and unscrew the bolt holding the ignition coil down. Once loose, twist the ignition coil and pull up at the same time, this will create a pop suction cup sound/feel and it should come right out. Do this for the remaining driver side. The passenger side, you need to remove the bolts holding the cooling line in order to have better access to the locks on the plugs into the ignition coils. Once all the coils are out, grab your spark plug socket. I like to use a specific one for JKs, it’s a bit longer with a magnet as well to hold the plug-in place. What’s funny, you have to take the upper intake and all the other items to get to the three plugs on the driver side which end up being really easy to do. The passenger side which you would think would be easier, was the hardest. The back two plugs towards the rear of the Jeep, was a pain because of the battery box, but luckily my new plug tool came in handy, otherwise you would have to combine some extensions, etc. to get in there properly and keep in mind you will have to torque these once in place, having the right tools will make that job perfect.
Once all is in place, start putting all back together. At that point, time to plug the battery backup and crank it over.
Big Difference…
I have 60k miles on my Jeep and it had a small slight sputter at the idle, which took me on this journey called a tune-up. But now, I have a very clean idle, the take-off is great as well. I can feel the difference.
