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Kia Carnival / Sedona factory workshop and repair manual download

Tools & supplies
- New spark plugs (OEM-spec iridium/platinum recommended). Qty = number of cylinders. Common gap: 0.035–0.044 in (0.9–1.1 mm) — confirm with vehicle manual or plug box.
- Replacement ignition coils or coil boots (if cracked or misbehaving).
- 3/8" or 1/2" ratchet, 3/8" torque wrench (or 1/2" depending on sockets) with appropriate torque range.
- Spark plug socket (6 or 12 point) with rubber or magnetic insert, correct size (usually 5/8" or 13/16" / 16 mm/21 mm depending on plug).
- Extension(s) (3–6 inch and a swivel extension/Universal joint for hard-to-reach plugs).
- Spark plug gap gauge (feeler or circular type).
- Small flat screwdriver or pick (for electrical connector clips).
- 10 mm socket or small ratchet (for coil mounting bolts).
- Compressed air or short brush to clean plug wells.
- Dielectric grease.
- Anti-seize compound (optional — see notes).
- Shop rags, safety glasses, gloves.

Safety precautions (must-follow)
- Work on a cold engine. Hot heads can warp plugs or burn you.
- Disconnect the negative battery terminal if you’ll be working near wiring for extended time or removing many electrical connectors.
- Wear safety glasses. Use compressed air carefully — debris can become a projectile.
- Keep dirt/debris out of plug wells. If debris enters combustion chamber you risk engine damage.
- Hand-thread plugs only until seated; cross-threading ruins the head.
- Use a torque wrench. Over-tightening can strip threads or break a plug; under-tightening can leak compression or cause plug to loosen.

Step-by-step procedure (typical modern Kia Carnival / Sedona with coil‑on‑plug)
1. Prepare
- Park on level ground, set parking brake. Let engine cool fully.
- Remove engine cover if fitted (usually unclips or bolts with 10 mm).
- Gather tools and place new plugs nearby.

2. Access & clean
- Blow out each spark plug well with compressed air or brush away debris around coils before removing anything. This prevents grit falling into cylinders.

3. Disconnect battery (recommended)
- Loosen and remove negative terminal clamp to avoid accidental electrical shorts while unplugging coils.

4. Remove ignition coil(s)
- Unplug the electrical connector from the coil: depress the lock tab and pull straight out.
- Remove the coil mounting bolt(s) (commonly 10 mm) and lift the coil straight out. If coils are stuck, twist gently — don’t yank on wiring.
- Place coils in order or mark positions so they go back to the same cylinder (not required for COP but good practice).

5. Remove old spark plug
- Fit spark plug socket with extension and swivel if needed. Use a magnetic/rubber insert to retain plug.
- Carefully break plug loose with ratchet; once loose, back it out slowly by hand or with ratchet until free, keeping the socket vertical to avoid dropping the plug.
- Inspect the removed plug for signs of oil, coolant, carbon, or abnormal wear (gives diagnostic clues).

6. Prep new spark plug
- Verify correct part number, type and gap. Confirm gap with gauge and adjust if necessary very slightly — modern iridium/halogens usually come pre-gapped.
- Do NOT apply anti-seize to plated plugs (it alters torque readings and can cause over-tight). If using a non‑plated brass plug and you know how, a very light coat on threads is OK — most manufacturers advise against it. Follow plug maker guidance.
- Lightly coat the inside of the coil boot with dielectric grease (a small dab) — not on the plug electrodes.

7. Install new plug
- Thread the plug into the head by hand only until finger-tight. This prevents cross-threading.
- Using the spark plug socket/extension, snug the plug, then set torque wrench to spec and torque to the manufacturer torque. If you don’t have the exact spec, typical range: 18–25 lb·ft (24–34 N·m) for most passenger car spark plugs — however confirm in the service manual for your model/year.
- If no torque wrench, snug plus 1/4 turn for new plugs and 1/8–1/4 turn for used (less reliable—use torque wrench if possible).

8. Reinstall ignition coil
- Put coil back onto the plug and seat firmly.
- Reinstall coil mounting bolt(s) and torque snug (usually low torque ~ 6–9 lb·ft; just snug is often specified).
- Reconnect electrical connector until it clicks.

9. Repeat for each cylinder
- Work one cylinder at a time to avoid mixing up coils/wires.
- After all plugs are replaced and coils reinstalled, reconnect negative battery terminal.

10. Final checks & run
- Reinstall engine cover.
- Start engine and listen for smooth idle. Check for misfires or engine warning lights.
- If rough idle or check engine light, re-check electrical connectors, coil seating, and correct plug torque/gap.

Tool usage details
- Spark plug socket: use a socket with a rubber insert or magnetic retention to hold the plug while removing/installing. Keep the socket straight; excessive angles can make you drop/break a plug.
- Extension & swivel: a short rigid extension is preferred for control. Use a universal joint only when necessary — it reduces torque accuracy and increases risk of cross-threading. For deep plugs use a proper-length extension.
- Torque wrench: set to specified value then tighten smoothly until the wrench clicks. Don’t use the wrench as a breaker bar.
- Gap gauge: insert gauge between electrodes and slide gently. If resistance is too low, bend side electrode slightly to increase gap; don’t force or hit the center electrode.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Dropping a plug or fragment into the cylinder: always blow out plug wells before removal and use the magnetic/rubber socket.
- Cross-threading: always start threads by hand and only use the wrench after the plug is finger tight.
- Over-tightening: use a torque wrench; over-tightening strips aluminum heads or breaks plugs.
- Under-tightening: leads to compression leakage and possible plug blow-out. Use correct torque.
- Using anti-seize indiscriminately: can change torque readings; follow plug manufacturer guidance. Many modern plugs have plated threads and do not need anti-seize.
- Reusing old plugs: leads to poor performance. Replace with fresh plugs as recommended (typically 30k–100k miles depending on plug type).
- Reusing brittle coil boots: they crack and cause misfires — replace if any sign of wear.
- Incorrect gap: bad fuel economy, misfires. Verify and adjust only as needed.

Replacement parts recommended
- Correct spec spark plugs (iridium or platinum type OEM recommended).
- Ignition coils or coil boots if cracked, burned, or if CEL indicates coil fault.
- Plug well seals/tube seals if your engine has them and they are worn.
- Dielectric grease.

Final notes
- Exact spark plug part number and torque specs vary by year and engine. For best results follow the Kia service manual for your specific year/model. If unsure, buy OEM or high-quality cross-reference plugs and keep coil(s) on-hand if misfire codes persist.
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