2009 3.8L spark plug replacement

[Vaidhy]

I am coming up on 90k miles in my 2009 sedan and would like to change spark plugs as part of 90k service. I noticed that there are separate spark plugs for cars manufactured before 2008 and then for those until March 2009. Mine was manufactured after March 2009 according to door label. Can someone tell me the correct OEM plug for my model? NGK website says DILKR6A11 as the one for after March 2009 but it is not available in many places including NGK website. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Vaidhy]

Bump

 

[Vaidhy]

Any 2009 3.8 owners with info?

 

[Vaidhy]

Bump! 90k service coming up guys! Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[QuantumRift]

Hi, I just saw your message - I haven't been on in a few weeks here, so pardon the late response. Were you able to find the plugs for your engine? DO you have a 3.8V6 or the V8? The DILKR6A11 NGK plugs are available on Amazon. The plugs are also available on NGK's website: https://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=9716

They appear to be available from any number of sources. Also, your car won't explode or stop running if you go 91K, or 93K, or 95K, or 100,000 miles on the plugs. The Iridium plugs are very durable and will last a long time. I think I changed mine at 85K and they were in great shape.

Bump! 90k service coming up guys! Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Vaidhy]

Thank you @QuantumRift ! I could not find the correct plugs, I have the 3.8L V6 that was sold to me as a 09 Genesis and has a door sticker mentioning that it was made in April 2009. I should be getting DILKR6A11 based on NGK website but I can't find it mentioned in any other website so just wanted to make sure it is the correct one before I buy.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

Forgive any ignorance of known issues surrounding the 3.8L spark plugs, but wouldn't pretty much any spark plug work provided it's gapped correctly?

 

[QuantumRift]

Not really. Aside from the iridium aspect of it (all the plugs I used came pre-gapped), there are a couple of things to consider, like the length of the plug - if it's too long it will extend down into the combustion chamber and possibly be smashed by the piston....you can get a plug that is too short (ie too 'cold') as well...so you really want to get the OEM specified-plugs or an exact replacement-compatible plug.

Forgive any ignorance of known issues surrounding the 3.8L spark plugs, but wouldn't pretty much any spark plug work provided it's gapped correctly?

 

[jucampbell12]

Im 17 and just trying to figure out how to replace the spark plugs on my 2009 3.8 genesis any tips?

 

[Ghettosled]

I don't think there are any really good tips. The plastic intake manifold is in the way so it needs to be unbolted. I was able to get away with having it unbolted and slide it up enough to be out of the way of the spark plug tubes. Here is a pic of how much I moved it out - note the gap in the middle.

Have you changed spark plug before on a car? The only other 'trick' I used was to hold bolts (or spark plugs if the inner rubber is worn) on the end of a socket with extension because it was hard to reach. Put some tape into the of the socket then wedge the bolt into place. this helps to align and hand start a bolt/plug in hard to reach spots.

Other than this, plugs are pretty straight forward on this v6.

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[joegr]

Im 17 and just trying to figure out how to replace the spark plugs on my 2009 3.8 genesis any tips?

#1 Tip - Have someone that actually knows what they are doing do this with you the first time. Ask them about anything you are uncertain of, and make sure that they let you do some of each step, if not all of it while they guide you.

My father taught me how to do this stuff, and I taught my son. It's a shame that this doesn't seem to happen so much any more.