How to replace the spark plugs in a Subaru WRX/STI 

Thanks for making this. Almost wasted $300 to have this done at the shop. Took me about 3 hours, but glad I didn't lose money!

This is by far the best instructional video for performing any kind of maintenance I have ever used! Great job! Got me through my plug job in about 2 hours

Tiny tip here... just finished my spark plugs and there was no need to remove the pump, I just squeezed the clamp and removed the hose going to it

I'm going to eat a cheese stick before I change the spark plugs on my subaru wrx/sti 06, great..Thanks Blake for this video

First time doing this and I followed your video. All I can say is F”””k cylinder 4! 😡 I had my ratchet stuck in their like an idiot, I didn’t have the right swivel like yours this job was a nightmare for me hahah. Having the right tools is key for this

wow this is such a good video. u give me so much confidence in myself to do this. thanks!

Wiggle the tip right in that hole! I'm subscribing just for that sentence lol

I change mine 90k miles

How did you remove the cool pack for the rear back driver side? I can't get it out of the way. thanks

lol. That cheese stick bit had me Rollin. When you first pulled it out. I was like wth is that.

Hmm my incompetence would take 12hrs to do this.

I thought this was going to be a 4hr video like the first time I changed my plugs in the Subaru.

Honda, in and out 3 minutes tops.. Subaru 7 days later.

Wow, I've always wanted a WRX but haven't had one yet. Just changed the plugs on my car's inline 4 engine and it took probably 10 minutes. This is insane

when you love a subie, spark plug changing comes a passion. change my in less than 20mins

Great video. Top tip for extra insurance that you don't cross thread the plugs when you install: You can stick the plug in a small piece of spare vacuum hose as an extension and hand turn it in. You get a better feel of the threading when you do it this way rather than doing it with a spark plug socket. You can tighten it down with the socket.

You should take the connector off the coil pack before you remove the pack. If you twist and turn the coil pack with the connector still attached it could damage the plug and require a rewire. This process is definitely a PITA have a nice variety of extensions and some knuckles will definitely make the job a bit easier.

Thanks Blake for this video! I needed to figure out how to change my coil pack on cylinder 4 of my 2011 wrx hatch and your video gives perfect and concise instructions on how I can do so. My only suggestion would be to be weary of your camera settings (I have a feeling you have it set in auto focus mode) because its blurry on parts where I would love for your video to be clear to see what you're talking about. Otherwise, great video and keep up the great work! I have subscribed to you so I can learn how to continue to maintain my vehicle!

Do a time belt soon :) we have the same miles lol

That surprise cheese stick doe lol

broi thanx a lot for this i know there other vid like this but this one is very specific for my car xD

"Wiggle the tip right in that hole"

Meanwhile in the time you were removing the battery I replaced the plugs in my Miata lol

never seen cheese sticks used as spark plugs before :)

Do you have a video on how to replace front and rear differential oil?

My listing of tools / parts (ignoring anti-seize as not recommended by OEM NGK): OEM NGK spark plugs Lineman pliers 10mm deep socket (maybe impact rated) 12mm socket - probably 1/4 drive spark plug socket (1/4 drive?) torque wrench for spark plug socket (1/4 drive?) flat head screw driver knuckle joint AKA pivot AKA swivel AK AKA universal joint (1/4) drive? dielectric grease for ceramic on spark plugs spare vacuum hose to hand turn / thread spark plug

Going to attempt this today. Not my first time doing plugs, but def first time on my 13 WRX. Thanks for a clear cut visual and instruction! Subbed!

Hi Blake. Thanks for this video. I did my plugs in a 2013 WRX today and I was a bit intimidated by the rear driver plug. It was still difficult for me, but I expanded the view and followed each movement you made with that damn coil pack and the same to get the plug in. The others were not so bad, as you had said, but the frame is a real restriction with those coil packs. Good video and very helpful.

@Blake's Garage could you post a tool list maybe? I think I have everything just want to double check thanks for the awesome videos!

I thank you and your majestic beard for this excellent video :)

Might be a pain in the ass, but a lot easier than a 2004 f150 5.4!!!

Never check the gap on an iridium or platinum plug, the precious metals will come right off, it's pre gapped and it's fine. Don't ruin its long life

I like how thorough you are mate, great videos

NGK advises to never use anti seize on their threads, you can over torque the plug.

You Americans and your crazy messurements 👀... Damn helpful video though

Thanks. This video helped. Changed the plugs this past weekend. Bought the same plugs which were in stock at Advance Auto. They are: NGK Laser Iridium SILFR6A 7913

Tip, never antiseize ur sparkplugs, the lubrication doesn't allow u to get the torque right.

I did spark plugs on my Mazda Tribute, and to get to the back 3 spark plugs you have to take the intake manifold off, along with a bunch of other stuff. Makes this look easy, lol

Yeah, so that'd be a 5/8" Spark Plug socket... I figured "WTH" since every OTHER friggin size of every wrench and socket used was reported EXCEPT the spark plug socket...

Hands down you have the best DIY videos. I wish you did more videos before you traded the car in.

Never use anti seize on spark plugs. Ever.

"especially if you haven't taken the negative side of the battery off first" , cracks me up every time

Just replaced plugs on my 2013 wrx thanks to this video

I've been watching a whole lot of RU-vid videos during this Covid-19 lockdown, and ordered some plugs after seeing how easy it looked. Problem is, other people's 2010 WRX is different than my 2010 WRX. THANK YOU for posting a video that I can rely on to be accurate. Have I said THANK YOU?

Thanks for making this video. I had a bad coil pack in cylinder #4. I would have never tried to replace it myself before watching this video. Saved me God knows how much money.

Thanks for the video, I just did this on my 05 Legacy GT. I couldn't easily get the coil out of the head on the rear cylinder on the driver's side, so I just took the nuts of the motor mounts and jacked up the engine. That made the rest easier and less stress on the coil wires. Also I didn't use a cheese stick, but did use NGK 7913 plugs (same as OE). Took an honest hour and 20 minutes or so start to finish.

Of all the engines, I think changing spark plugs in boxer engines (especially subaru) is quite or even very troublesome 😂

BMW E46...STRAIGHT 6. WAYYYYY EASIER & QUICKER THAN THAT SHIT. SUBIE ? OH NO...I'LL PASS.

Fuck dude I love my sti but these dam tight spaces but I'm at 103k miles orginal plugs and it threw a p0304 code so gonna start with them lmao

I own a 2014 STI limited edition. Thank you for sharing.

I’m so confused. Do people run this or the 7AIX on a BONE STOCK ej257 sti?

Hey mate, any tips on how to get the coil back to sit on the spark plug for the 4th cylinder? It wont slide back in like #2

Wow , awesome video! I have to change my plugs soon. Im pretty Mechanically inclined. But looking at the Subaru engine I’m a bit nervous to change the plugs. That being said your video has definitely made it look less intimidating. I will give it a try in the summer! It’s too cold in Canada in the winter LOL

I don't know if I'm getting the boot over cylinder 4 spark plug and it's making me nervous

Is disconnecting the battery going to require a passcode for my radio? (Because of anti theft?)

I replaced the plugs and injectors in my Impreza once. ONCE.

Omg fuck haha why did I get a 2013 Subaru wrx. This is gonna be fun. 😐

Dont do car maintenance with a ring on dude, you can chop ur finger off. "Ring avulsion" look it up.

damnnn subies i swear hahah jk i have a 07 sti, i use to have a couple hondas and let me tell ya i think fixing things on the ole hondas are way easier then subarus, everything is easier to get to it feels like

i love subaru and i want to know them because some pleople think they hard to work on and some mechanics say they hard to work but i think they an"t hard to work subaru cars dont hard to work its just you the one to know how they build up but i love subaru cars i love them a lot subaru cars is fast smooth and intrest and comfertable and they can JDM and race and do drags race subrau cars is sport cars and some people dont like how subaru looks i dont care because i know subaru cars is very fast and awsome i love them the stock subrau is fast the JDM subaru is fast and the sport subaru is also the forester is fast subaru cars is the best it and the evo and the skyline and the supra and the s15 they are very fast?

Thanks for the video! I was able to complete the spark plug replacement in 2.5 hours. I was going to have a heart attack when the engine was cranking for 3 seconds and then started, instead of instantaneous start up. My tuner recommended 0.028 gap as opposed to the factory suggested gap of 0.030. I did go NGK 2309 one step colder plugs. Now for a tune. Keep up with the awesome vids!

great video btw gunna come back and rewatch when i do mine in a months time

Any specs on how tight they need to be when they are replaced?

My plugs were seized on my imp when i changed them at 100k mi

Hahaha yo that was funny. I’m subscribing.

What pain in the ass compared to an SRT 4! Reason enough not to buy that!

thanks for the help Blake! Btw, you look like a Subaru owner, just saying.

Yum I want a cheese string now

Haha that's a cheese stick, never mind Good shit

My fucking cool pack is fighting the hell out of me

finally a video that shows where the wires go to the coils spent hours trying to find what wires went to what cylinders

Thanks brother jajjajajajjaaj 🥶🥵🥵🥵

Does it matter which coil pack goes to which specific spark plug? Like what happen of you mix the coil pack cylinder 1 & 2 together?

WTF. Seriously?! I got to do all this to change some spark plugs??? Wow. Going back to a evo.

Please do injectors next!

Ahh this is great! I finally found a used subi and I'm going to pick it up in a few days. This is very much needed. Thanks!

do you use a torque wrench

Thx for great video. I also think using anti seize lubricant (copper paste) on spark plugs is a good idea. Much better than seized (by AL oxyde destroyed) threads in head of your engine.

Did mine 40,000 miles ago at 60k as recommended and will never be doing them again lol. It was a huge pain and they were really clean. Plus I don’t plan on keeping the car much longer, i want a newer one lol

WHAT THE HECK! I bought these for my FR-S and inside the package I got spark plugs?! Where's the cheese!? I need a refund.

Its sad they're not longer using Subaru Technica (STI) for obvious reasons? I used to love saying WRX STi, are technica still tuning the cars and lightweighting them? just removing the secually transmitted infection part lol

I pulled my ForesterXT(2014) plugs at 100k and they still looked new. Then again, I'm running stock tune. Iridiums are pretty much a lifetime plug. No need to replace unless your MPG tanks or you have a noticeable loss of performance and/or poor idle.

would you recommend changing the coil packs as well since you're already doing the spark plugs either way? I had a cylinder 1 misfire and I just don't want the hassle of doing the same thing over again if it is one or the other.

I loosen the motor mount nuts and use a jack stand to tilt the motor on each side. 30 mins max. Obviously this is on a lift... gravy baby!! Lol

in a week wanna buy legacy, but after watch this, decided to not to buy subaru, hell of pain just replace sparkplug, dont know what the pain if have blown head gasket.. scary, tks anyway for the video

great video. but people should know NOT to use antiseize on NGK spark plugs. NGK specifically states not to use antiseize.

Maybe i don't want a subaru 🤔

Back in the 2018 version you have to unscrew the ECU mount to get enough access to take out the plugs. Really annoying lol

If you think this was complicated .. you should try replacing the plugs in 06/07 turbo models. It is necessary to actually undo the engine mounts and raise the engine clear of the frame (:

That’s one thing I don’t like about subarus, changing spark plugs in them. I’m dreading changing them on my sti

This is a great guide to this tricky job, rotating the back ones 180 degrees makes life easier. Also I removed the rubber part out of my spark plug socket as I got the socket stuck on the plug once it was tightened up! 😉

awesome video glad i came across it. my subie just hit 60k and i plan on doing all the work myself since ive heard average price for the 60k maintenance at a dealership is between 500 to 1000 which is ridiculous. you made this look much easier than i though. thank you again

@13:44 does anyone know what size bolt is used here? Just replaced my plugs and noticed i am missing the bolt holding this bracket on.

Excellent video. I really appreciate the detail and showing the difficult parts clearly.

Much rather would have a Miata or S2000 eh... Even if it's just spark plugs it looks like a pain in the ass.

If you have been running a generic AP tune for a long time that is why your plugs were so fowled. The Cobb maps are very conservative and run really rich to make it a bit safer.

bro just delete the air pumps they're useless get block off plates and clear cel and your golden. love working on my subie.

Good details, I work the same way. The anti-seize issue have been around awhile; it's usually operator error, due to putting too much on. I use it and never have had issues. If you have ever had to deal with a seized plug, then you know why it's needed. There's possibly a coating already on 'em out of the box, maybe it just doesn't need it. Dielectric grease is a similar issue.

I've been trying to find that swivel for hours now. Anyone know where I can get the exact one or similar?

Thanks for video upload, i originally thinking to diy, but after watching your tutorial, I will just leave the headache to the dealership.