Bloody knuckles: plugs n’ stuff

Last week Ruby went into the shop to have a laundry list of things looked at. On the list was a intermittent rough idle. The shop I take the car to is generally very good, but the price for a simple tune up – $440, was just too much. Given that I’m job searching and have just oodles of free time I figured I’d take a stab at replacing the plugs, wires, air filter and cleaning the MAF.

Here’s the thing though, as much as I love all things car related, my experience working on them is limited to a few oil changes and some very basic stuff. In high school I was fortunate to have my own garage space, my best friend Phil and I undertook some small projects, but really my involvement was limited to handing Phil the correct socket. So while I know replacing plugs, wires and air filter is well within the reach of any shade-tree mechanic, I approached this task with caution and care, lest I embarras myself!

This series, Bloody Knuckles, will hopefully become a recurring feature of this blog as I endeavor to undertake other small jobs. I’ll be sure to document the trials, tribulations and skin grafts that ensue

All the assorted goodness the local Autozone could muster to restore the 850 to its former glory!

Where the magic happens.

Twenty valves of pure Swedish power!

Sometimes the right tool for the job is just down the street at the local AutoZone, sometimes it takes two trips to figure this out. Today this was the case.

These stylish power blue gloves will keep your hands clean. They’ll also protect from most abrasions. Still, the Volvo was intent on its blood sacrifice and the airbox would collect its pound of flesh.

Protip: wait for the engine to cool a bit before reaching your hands down there to fish the old plug out.

All buttoned up, the moment of truth awaits…