Rover 45 KV6 spark plug change

[@klwthe3rd]

Ah, it's two in the row for me on requests!! WOOOHOOOOO says Hubnut! I just love the Rover so seeing it get some loving maintenance is always a great way to start your morning. As a helpful hint, they make an inexpensive spark plug removal/installation tool that just pops on the end of the spark plug which allows you to start the threads by hand or remove it when it needs to come out of its chamber. They sell them on eBay for like 8 dollars USD. Great tool to have in your arsenal for these kinds of jobs. Hubnut did it the old fashion way with great success. I will say that if you have a lot of oil leaking into the chamber where the spark plugs sit, eventually you can short out the coil because it will cause carbon tracking on the boot of the coil and plug. So be on the lookout for that if your car starts developing a miss on those back bank of cylinders. Nice to see George out and about not wanting to help. LOL. Great footage Mrs. Hubnut.

[@chriseccles1454]

I was shown how to use a length of plastic hose pipe to reinsert sparkplug after cleaning and regaping especially on alloy headed engine's. Entrusted Lucas service centre to do mot/service on 85 cavalier 1.8 after GM got to be £100+ and car bit older to find I'd acquired a helicol fix. Changing that plug became n event but still got to 170, 000 tho.

[@MarkieC1990]

Great video mate, love the hands on content. Certainly thinking George has owned a KV6 in a past life and knows that he’s not having any of it.

[@jbenekeorr]

7:10 I thought the rover was running on about 3 cylinders for a moment!! Ah yes, it’s just a steam train passing by! I didn’t think Wales could get any more beautiful ... but then you added a steam train 👌

[@earnestbunbury2103]

Too cheap to replace it ... lol

[@paulbennell3313]

That looked a right mission! George was having none of it because apparently he already knew it was going to be a tricky business. Plus if he gets roped in once, where does it end? So instead he went away to have a bit of a think as cats often do. That Rover though, my dad's Sierra was easy-peasy to work on by comparison. Didn't have a V6 though.

[@harpsi8]

Modern cars, I wonder why little thought is given to maintaining the car in the long term. Your very good at working out the solutions. I gave up long ago working on cars. While working on my old volkswagen van. Its worse for apartment dewlers to work on cars. Now I just lease. I throw money, To not even open the hood. Looking foward to an electric car with super low maintenance. Now that the battery is perfected With Grapeen. My old dad was a shade tree mechanic, much cursed Studebaker 1950 he once temp fixed a brake shoe with coat hanger wire to fabricate a spring that broke. Thoses were the days. I admire your mechanical perseverance good job Ian. Great Video well Done ! Rich & shade tree Cat Sue-way, Leaseing in the USA 🇺🇸, Here we luv the U.K 🇬🇧.

[@TheStwat]

George Is gorgeous. :-) I love black cats, and cats of every description to be honest. More people should consider adopting a black cat as they get left un-adopted at cat shelters as no one seems to want them. :-( Anyway. Turning the plug backwards (undo) helps finding where the thread starts, as you can feel when it drops down slightly into the threads.

[@twocvbloke]

George is saying "No chance! I used to be a white cat until the last time he let me help!"... :P Seems like a faff to change 6 plugs though, it's as though they designed it to be taken to a service centre to extract money from their owners... :P

[@VDPEFi]

Love a transverse V6, the Vauxhall ecotec one is a pig with several million spring clips holding thousands of bits of rubber pipe together to remove manifolds....fun times! Nice job!

[@kdri155]

There's always something satisfying about completing even a minor service/repair on a vehicle when it starts first time.

[@dahotrod1533]

Bonnet has a second prop hole under the other one which allows the bonnet to go vertical. With a good socket set should only take 45 mins.

[@kazzy97]

Oh the memories of helping a friend change the plugs on his mg 180 zs the swearing was monumental. Well done that man

[@nikamota]

Many jobs on cars can be a right pain in the arse,but it's very satisfiing once it's done,and you learn lots while doing it. Job done. Nice vid.

[@andypsunshineisle5655]

To start the thread on deep plugs i interference fit a length of straight rubber water hose or for small plugs vacuum or large bore petrol pipe over the top insulator section. They are sufficently stiff to rotate the plug but give you some feel while fitting.

[@deanodrives4966]

That looked like fun! People slate Rovers but they are awesome. I've just bought a 97 British racing green 214 for £120 with 7 months mot. Runs like it's brand new and the only issue is the rear arches are a bit crusty!

[@Zadster]

When it comes to replacing spark plugs (or any other tricky screw thread) I use the socket+extension, but rotate it carefully by hand in the opposite direction to the thread, with a light pressure on it. At a particular point you will feel and hear it go click as the plug thread tail drops off the thread of the head, and the two threads align. Then tighten as usual. It can be somewhat faster than fishing for the thread by turning it clockwise, and potentially getting it crossed. Try it with a nut and bolt. Its easier to do than to explain!

[@fastfiatjamest6437]

Watching you change the plugs on a rover 45 while on the beach in ibiza. I am weird lol

[@spookydude7449]

Spark plugs use to be so easy to remove in older cars for sure Nub nut, loving George the cat... Yes, I love cats and dogs. All aminals

[@EdFrankes]

I can’t help it, but i love this Rover. Nice job there, matey!

[@MrScotttraynor]

i had the first "new" year model of the shrunkin monte carlo (77?)... and in order to change one of the spark plugs, you had to jack it up and remove the tire to get at it... nice design guys

[@robfuller7841]

That Rover sure has an interesting mot history. I'm glad someone is now giving it Tlc

[@robertbransby]

Hats off for persevering, that looked a proper ball ache.

[@lumpyfishgravy]

I once had a KV6 engine block casting under my desk as a footstool. Wish I'd kept it, but it went to the scrap merchant when kid #2 arrived and I lost my office. Fair trade! We supplied wireless level sensors for the LPS casting stations at Longbridge, then later at Kia (which were piloted in the UK). Actually the block wasn't much use. Instead I used a thick sheet of ally on top of an improvised bellows and knicker elastic running from a Plaxton coach fan to prove the control loop. Rover had been using PLCs but wanted something a bit less sprawling for the Kia job, and they had certain requirements (tricks of the trade) that were hard to implement in ladder logic.

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

I do like the end bit, so funny LOL,not the easiest of plugs to change are they,2and half hours no wonder you was cussing,Mrs Hubnut holding the camera,great video.

[@chestnut01111]

Reminds me of changing the plugs in an early Smart. Three cylinder but six plugs, three from in the engine compartment under the boot floor (only slightly weird). The other three are accessed by first removing the rear bumper and it's reinforcement!!

[@nickclark6001]

Welcome to "modern" car technology ,Old cars rule!

[@AdamAus85]

Least there is some space back there. Quite easy on my M54. Coil packs actually look basically the same too (same brand too).

[@essjayaitch]

I like your George, I have a cat just like him!

[@movesky6696]

hub nut cat

[@pikeywyatt]

its nice to see some one getting on top of plug removal..

[@pikeywyatt]

you can service my Kangkoo any day.

[@stephenshippam9374]

Hi Ian yes got in first, well done what a pig off a job to change them good job done sounds great, lovely steam train

[@101jumpit]

George say's," Get a Moggy Thou,dead easy to work on" LOL !!!!!

[@RichieRouge206]

Yeah that’s a challenging job... arrrrggghh. Still worth it for such a glorious soundtrack

[@alanjames3021]

A doddle compared to the rear bank of plugs on my Lexus IS250 on which you do have to remove the inlet manifold. Well done for persevering but may I suggest that you invest in a 1/4" drive socket set for getting into all those tight spaces. Best £30 I ever spent. Also less weight to manhandle on those longer jobs with lots of nuts and bolts to undo.

[@AaronSmart.online]

The instructions I've seen for changing the plugs on my Prius involve removing the wiper arms and scuttle! Luckily they're also iridium tipped, but will have to be changed eventually...

[@pierrerheaume8864]

Great job Mr. HubNut ! I just love that little Rover, well worth the care you put into it.

[@ginggur17]

Gotta love a cuppa. Job well done mate

[@Padrone5763]

I had a Jaguar S type 3.0 a couple of years ago ,i remember changing the plugs on one side of the engine requires removing the whole inlet manifold ! ridiculous so what should be a 5 minute job turns into over an hour . And that is if it all goes back together with no vac leaks . I liked that car but i’m glad i don’t have it anymore.

[@donlaight5943]

Don't they have extended life in the plugs? 4 full size golf bags fit in the boot too! Yesterday had the steering pump replaced (95000) kms. The first non scheduled job in the two years I have owned the car. Very impressed. The car is 2002, all original mileage what's a good time to think about suspension replacement. It has spent a good part of its time just parked in a garage. The owner used it 6 months a year whilst on holiday in Spain.

[@MrReeceyburger123]

Nice to see the 7 valley too! Not an easy job todo on this car sadly

[@HowardLeVert]

Additional VoR action - thanks Ian!

[@lancpudn]

I'm feeling the pain just watching you change those rear bank spark plugs, they are at the optimum bending over back ache angle.

[@cibie01]

When Rachael said she would like a cat i think she was thinking of a Jaguar Ian lol.

[@jaggass]

Ive just picked up my 2005 Toyota Corolla 1.4 VVTi today. It seems fairly poor on acceleration though but no lights are on.

[@nickwills6042]

My mum used to have one of those. I am surprised any made it past the scappage scheme this year!

[@jaggass]

They are reliable and that but it''s supposed to have 95bhp but it seems to have gone. Some investigating and a good service might help.

[@rickwilkinson1843]

Love the rover 45 sparkplug yoga 🧘‍♂️ moves

[@TheFurriestOne]

Ah, spark plugs on modern vehicles, reminds me of my parents' Ford Taurus, it does require removal of the intake! (at least with my thick arms) Cute animate scrap of night! (George) Nice use of old parts as tools! Oh, cool train, lovely chuff-chuff!

[@waynetetley584]

Plug change on my 1960 Suffolk Colt is much easier 😀 Love the steam clip too. Good video on a good era of Rover engines.

[@stephenlaskey63]

They are a pain to work on depending on what you are doing, i am in the process of doing my ZS 180, changing coil packs 17 yrs i had the car and had my first problem with one but changing all 6, never done it before, done the easy front 3 first, rear 3 are very awkward to get too just need to get better tools till i tackle them

[@bmw-e30]

I recall the original Audi A3 too being an absolute pain to get the plugs out of it.

[@northstar1950]

I think you deserve that cuppa.

[@duggy788]

looks like the cam belt could be a lot of fun to change too.

[@HubNut]

Took the previous owner two days...

[@rlhollo83]

3 cambelts!

[@wanderinggentile]

One should see a rather dramatic improvement in motorway fuel consumption. The Ford Essex (Canada) V-6 was a similar pig when changing plugs, particularly the Windstar minivan.

[@akr01364]

My mom had a Chrysler minivan in the late 90's that had to have so much stuff removed to gain access to the rear plugs that we almost had to drop the fuel tank. Honestly, all the accouterments that had to be removed nearly forced the removal of a rear component.

[@ramfrancisuk]

My Cat says don't get involved - find a nice spot to sleep :))))

[@MrTopgearnerd]

11/10 Kitty cat content. Lovely vid as usual :)

[@niallsommerville9941]

Welcome to modern car life. The technique with threads you can't see or feel directly, is to put light pressure on it and turn slowly anti clockwise until you feel a slight click as the start of the male thread drops over the start of the female thread, then turn clockwise. Alternatively you could use a soak plug socket with a magnet built into the head, commonly used on modern motorcycles with very deeply recessed plugs.

[@WesleysLot]

Beautiful Cat.

[@mondodaftasabrush]

Well you sure had your moneys worth out of them plugs... Nice to see you getting dirty and swinging those Halfrauds tools in action again, don't think any Rover customers would like to see there mechanic stood on the engine of there pride and joy back in the day I bought one of those extra extra deep spark plug socket many years ago used once and probably fused with rust to the bottom of a toolbox now I have been a diesel burner for 25 years Let's hope we see some more dirty spanner action and shenanigans in the Hubnut garage

[@reidkeevers]

We need more George content!

[@benday1218]

Well done. My cross-threading fear would have been at 11/10 on the rear bank

[@HubNut]

The tubes on the coil packs were ideal for getting them turning!

[@BaguetteBeardBass]

Crossthreaded a plug on my old VTR, unfortunately it let me know by spitting the plug out on the way to work. the plug angle was at a good 30 or so degrees and the top of the inlet manifold was bulky and in the way of getting a UJ or bit of pipe to help. Live and learn!

[@Toby_the_Glen]

Do they pay you for being part of the railway sightseeing tour?☺

[@ferrumignis]

Try doing the timing belts on one (three of them)!

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

First time I've seen someone climb on an engine to change plugs but needs must. How much did you swear? to much I would say as George didn't want to know and Mrs HubNut had retreated to a safe distance Lol . Have you thought about doing a video on the the train you could film your fleet as you go by.

[@lindapeterson5810]

You could offer the cat George some salmon.... he might do a bit of work for that...Love your train!

[@borderlands6606]

I wonder what the dealer labour rate on that would be? Changing plugs used to be a ten minute job.

[@HubNut]

Not uncommon on modern engines. Had to dismantle a fair bit on the Lexus as well.

[@philipbunker146]

A 2009 Honda Jazz’s plugs are a right fluff too!

[@rjft7003]

Reminds me of the nightmare with any engine servicing for the Citroen DS (the real one from 1955 till 1974).

[@carmadme]

And I thought the plugs on my gti-6 were hard to get at What a job I’m not envious about

[@sicks6six]

a bit of hose pipe is handy for sunken plugs,

[@lemagreengreen]

That is quite strange with the back three being coil-on-plug unlike the front bank though, maybe just haven't seen enough V6's but not familiar with that.

[@PauC-qo1uq]

The best way to change spark plugs on a rover v6, is to let someone else do it. One nil to the cat. Lol 😂

[@repo4]

I owned the mid-90s five door civic for 3 years, it had the 80hp 1.4 in it which is basically the same car as this rover. I wonder how the 45 handles with the heavy V6 in there compared to the civic.

[@paulcooper7178]

The V6 isnt very heavy. Weighs the same as a K20.

[@blackpopepaul]

Loving George

[@BobM925]

If I had made this video it would have had a constant bleep as a soundtrack - looks like there is a need for industrial language here! Kudos.

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

Would it be worth changing the HT leads too? I know garages don't regularly do it, but then garages don't regularly do work that isn't completely necessary... Visited the Haynes International Motor Museum today for the first time (over 300 mile round trip for me) - lovely big place with stuff everywhere you look! Also noticed Vicki Butler-Henderson outside filming something for the new Fifth Gear revamp (a few of the people that volunteer there were looking out of the main window by the cafe looking at the three cars they had lined up - BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK and a red Porsche the model escapes me. Boxster I suppose, was too old to be the Cayman. A few of the volunteers there were watching, trying to figure out what they were doing and saying "that must be the presenter" to which I told them who it was and what they were doing). I wanted to go and say something, but she was extremely busy, they must've taken about 5 attempts at whatever they were doing in the couple of minutes that I was watching. Was definitely interesting to see how programs are filmed...In their case out the back of a Discovery with one camera, a microphone and about two miles worth of cable, all tangled up. They also did a few laps of the car park with her driving different cars filming out the back of their Discovery, so my Golf may be a TV star, unlike it's owner...Sorry, I know this is completely irrelevant to your video, but its all car-related stuff and I've nobody else to tell! Dare I ask your thoughts on a SAAB 900 Turbo 16V? Right old man car I know. I've really got a slight obsession with them at the moment, and this time off work is doing my head in, and those classifieds are ever tempting. I need something to tinker with. I'd assume parts aren't the cheapest and I know they can rust, but it wouldn't be my everyday car so it's completely justifiable... ;) all the best Ian

[@HubNut]

If it starts misfiring in the rain, I'll change the leads. It only has three of them, as the rear plugs have the coil packs mounted directly. Saab 900 - they really should be my cup of tea, but they somehow are not. Turbos are hilariously brisk.

[@mehrzahl2219]

Saab is too popular to suit you. The most interesting part is if you find a normal/dull looking vehicle that is actually surprisingly fun or quirky.

[@simonhaycocks]

At least you can find the plugs. Where are they on my 330d? 🤪🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Okanagan48]

A few years ago, without taking how miserable it would be! I changed the three rear spark plugs on a 1999 Pontiac Montana. Did them totally by feel, there was no way to see! Took me the better part of a day. Never again I said!! It was a 3.4 litre V6. Is the Rover a GM engine?

[@alzeNL]

I wonder where the car is from orginally. Most cars with 'DY' are from Hastings in East Sussex.

[@HubNut]

Eastbourne.

[@paulillingworth1242]

That looks a pain! Black kitty 🐱 is cute

[@davidk6271]

that cat has common sense

[@ginggur17]

Yours is waaaaay easier than my V6 Shogie.

[@exileinderby51]

For a few seconds there I thought that old v6 doesn't sound so good and then the steam engine passed!

[@gazp2194]

I wonder if the people that designed that engine ever considered the home mechanic 😂. That cat needs training up as mechanics assistant 😂

[@willswheels283]

Gaz P I think that question can apply to most modern cars, as their getting harder and fiddlier to work on for DIY home mechanics, the manufacturer always hopes you will give up and take it to one of their dealers.😏

[@mark-1rc502]

Ha mate , You got Two hopes . No Hope and Bob hope 😝 Mine does what he wants when he wants .

[@ajivins1]

How big was that plug-gap!

[@ajivins1]

you need a box-spanner.

[@earnestbunbury2103]

Iridium sized

[@willswheels283]

Quite a fiddly job by the look of that, I’m wondering if the job would be any easier in the 75 V6(not that I’m planning on buying a V6 anytime soon. When I changed the plugs on my MGF I had, to get at the engine you have to First unzip the rear of the hood, remove a soft parcel shelf, then unbolt a metal plate with 10 bolts(I think) 2 of which are not all that easy to get at, then remove the strip of metal in the centre of the rocker cover before the plugs can be accessed. People slated the Morris Marina and Austin Allegro for being awful unreliable poorly built cars but at least you could work on them fairly easily.

[@rlhollo83]

There is less room on the 75!

[@willswheels283]

Richard Holloway Wow! Less?? Blimey.🙄

[@rlhollo83]

There is a removable inspection panel in the firewall which helps a little. Otherwise it's manifold off!

[@willswheels283]

William Woods I totally agree with you, if I could afford to buy an Allegro or Marina or Mini(which is what I’ve always fancied owning) I would and the prices of 70’s cars now are only escalating, I’ve seen Allegros advertised at £3500! Cars back in the 70’s were easy to work on, but people just couldn’t be bothered to look after them properly as you rightly said and because the Media slated BL products the general attitude by Garages was a negative one. When I was a kid in the 80’s there were still lots of 70’s cars about, Mini’s Allegros, Marinas Itals, Maxi’s and Princesses, and not forgetting the Triumphs as well, I wasn’t particularily bothered about the Fords and Vauxhall’s of the day as I felt they were boring humdrum cars. I bought my first car in 1997 and that was a blue Austin Allegro 1300 “Super Deluxe” for £75! Trouble is I had grand plans to get it MOT’d and on the road, but sadly my finances stopped me so I was forced to sell it for spares, plus at the time I hadn’t passed my driving test. But if I find myself with sufficient funds to buy a classic car, it will also be my daily driver as I much prefer these cars.

[@caroldave4037]

Hi ian...😊if yu remember a comment on last vid😦I gave regarding access to maintaince on modern cars😠well the designer of the mighty rover should be shoved Un cermonisly down spark plug hole...🙌cheers from dave

[@dannyhtheretrogamingmaster9548]

First lesson on how to replace spark plugs on a KV6 - find a nice safe place on the engine to sit which won't damage anything

[@ryanwilliams6526]

Is that Wedgwood blue? My mum has an mg se in a similar colour.

[@HubNut]

It is, though there were two shades of Wedgewood Blue apparently! This is the earlier one.

[@chriseccles1454]

Think Rover had a thing about renaming their paint colour's. I've a 45 in Firefrost Red (Maroon onV5)or Xirallic Red Mica CEV paint code so two names for the same paint which is very similar to some other reds but less metallic I suppose.

[@donlaight5943]

Hello mate I have a 2002 KV6 lovely car except for the rotary heater control is stuck on hot! It's a bit of a problem as I live in Spain, any ideas?

[@mark-1rc502]

Oh you Jammy so&so , I spent ages on my MGZS trying to change the rear bank, and oh yes there was plenty of swearing 🤬 , I’m not the Most Mechanical Minded or have the tools to do the Job, In the End I Gave Up Slammed the Door Shut calling it a C, U, Next, Tuesday . I slammed it So Hard I broke the The Little Door Closer ? It Softens the door close a Little plastic bit in the Mechanism so every time I shut the Door it was Like metal hitting metal, I took it to Rover and got it done under warranty . 😝 I had All the Jokes My Grandads Rover with a Coat Rail on the Boat , But it Went like 💩 off of a Chrome shovel. And it Handled exceptionally well. I liked it and despite all the Head gasket Problems reported I had None. Not one mechanical breakdown with it .

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

My C5 V6 had three coils dead, in the back of course. Not three at once btw.

[@edd6113]

I hate spark plugs, not as much as I hate glow plugs. The crush washer type aren't to bad to put in at least you can feel the washer collapse as you do them up, taper seat ones are horrible as they are just "tight". I used a magnetic spark plug tool from halfords for the last set I changed, much better to retrieve a plug with than the rubber grommet type. Worth looking at getting a halfords trade card if you don't have one, give you a good discount and you don't have to be vat registered to get one!

[@Chriswales]

Does Edd know you nicked his gloves? Standing on top of the engine, I had to do that recently when the battery got jammed in my Mazda.

[@roygardiner2229]

I am a duffer with mechanical things but thirty years ago I changed spark plugs on my Metro, with its A-series engine. It was a piece of cake. So the difficulty that I saw in the video has rather made me think twice about buying a Rover 77 with a K-series engine. Is the inline K-series engine easier to work on?

[@josephjardine32]

YES is the short answer, but the k- series is not tolerant to abuse at all

[@MrButtonpresser]

Looks like you need to send a small lad down the pit! A train! Is that the afternoon Tour of Hub Nut Land express?

[@mbexotic0]

where was that steam train base at

[@HubNut]

Vale of Rheidol Railway.

[@jazzhands7771]

George is awesome :-D

[@robc5955]

Lovely engine shame about the timing belt it’s a sod on these, hasn’t mr Simpson got a 800 coupe with the 2.5 or did he part company it was featured in car mechanics mag some years ago when he was still editor - I wanted one but alas they are all gone now.

[@HubNut]

He has had a few 800 Coupes.

[@marcushull12]

@@HubNut I had 2 KV6 Sterlings a fastback and a rare manual coupe , fantastics cars never let me down , the coupe was like new , not even a stone chip on it in BRG and only 60k miles on it , i couldn't give it away , i got £500 for it .... 8 years ago ... big mistake , the fastback was white gold and i put 185k on that and it was also like new with everything working , only thing i had to get for that was starter motor and alternator at 165k miles . wish i still had them but i only have off street parking so couldn't keep them , i love my 95 Sovereign but the Rovers where far better made and equipped

[@vikingraiders4138]

This is easy have you ever changed the spark plugs on a Jaguar V12, it's a nightmare so many things need to be stripped down before you reach the plugs.

[@ginggur17]

Now George is cute. I would have been inclined to have taken the bonnet off. Access to engines is ridiculous now days.

[@aerogray2500]

That first soggy plug gap! 25 thou? Naah....25mm! i'm surprised it ran!

[@blobby273]

did you think to jack it up ad drop the engine down on a jack stand to lift the engine a bit ?

[@HubNut]

Not really. Access wasn't that bad, just tricky because you can't see. Not sure jacking/lowering engine would achieve much.