Changing Plugs on an SE & CEL Light comes on

[Robbo107672]

Hi, looking for help.

I have an SE & want to replace plugs, these are the type with coil packs sitting over pot 2 & 4, with short leads going to 1 & 3...
I have tried to lift off the lead on pot #1 and am afraid that if I go any harder, something might break... Is there a trick or something I'm missing?
(I'm trying to fit NGK BKR7E-11's)

Also, I'm getting the CEL light (Check Engine Light) coming on in the last week when the engine has been running for quite some time and I happen to boot it well into boost, the light comes on and stays on until it has cooled down. The engine still runs ok & I have fresh oil, filter, & coolant etc is fine.
One other symptom I have is that it feels like it's missing between 3 & 5k? A Mazda guy in Eden told me that maybe a claged O2 sensor?? But he didn't have time to look at it.

The car has never been on a track, just moderate street driving and the odd club run.

My warranty is up in April 06, so want to get it resolved before then.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Rob.

[CT]

Undo the coil packs from the cam cover, then pry the leads loose and remove. They are a tight fit - pull from the boot not the lead. Much easier with the strut bar removed too. Make sure you gap the plugs down to about .7mm. Don't over tighten the plugs.

[blackster]

Buy yourself an OBDII scanner (start from $30 on ebay) so you can read CEL or take the car somewhere so they can read it. 99% of the time the car will tell you what's wrong.

[Robbo107672]

Thanks, have changed them over and so far, no CEL light and the missing problem is a LOT better !... I'll have to gap the plugs soon, don't have any feeler guages with me on this trip, had to throw the tools out for Xmas presies for the Nieces & Nephews...

The old plugs (Denso) looked like 1 & 3 were leaking because there were stains on the ceramic like it was getting blow past between the metal & ceramic.. I guess time will tell if that was entirely my problem but for now I'm happy..

Much appreciated, Rob.

[bigdog]

Plugs in my SP always look stained on the outside - I think its a combination of deep plug wells attracting crap and ionisation around them, not leaking. What did you fit - NGK 7's? Edit - just read the first post properly

[Robbo107672]

Thanks Bigdog, that's good information so I don't go chasing a red herring.

The missing has definitely gone now, just have a slight lag between 4 & 5k that I need to chase down.

If the CEL comes back on, I'll have to look at a scanner because I hate relying on Mazda to give me the full story when something is not quite right, they always seem to leave out details... So will be nice to be able to read the codes at least.

Thanks again for all help received.