Quick answer: Spark Plug Replacement on a 2018–2024 Chevrolet Equinox is rated Moderate and takes about 1–2 hours. You'll need 7 tools for this job, and parts cost about $41. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.
| Part Name |
Part Number |
Price |
Buy |
| Spark plugs (correct heat range) |
— |
$35.00 |
|
| Dielectric grease |
— |
$6.00 |
|
About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps carefully
1
Confirm your engine (1.5T vs 2.0T) and pop the engine cover
Park the Equinox on level ground and confirm which engine you have before buying plugs: 2018–2024 models all offer the 1.5L turbo (LFV), while the 2.0L turbo (LTG) was offered only on 2018–2020 models — the two engines take different spark plugs, so match your parts to the engine code on the under-hood sticker. Let the engine cool completely; the turbocharger and exhaust plumbing sit close to the plug area and stay hot. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. The plastic engine cover pulls straight up off its grommets on both engines — no tools needed — revealing the four coil packs in a row.
🔧 Mechanic's note — Tom Becker
Match the plugs to the engine code on the under-hood sticker, not to what a parts website guesses — I've seen 1.5T plugs sold for a 2.0T more than once, and they are not interchangeable.
2
Disconnect and unbolt the four ignition coils
On both the 1.5T and 2.0T, the ignition coils are coil-on-plug with no plug wires. Squeeze the locking tab on each of the four coil connectors and pull them straight off; the wiring on these Equinoxes is cut to length, so note each connector's routing. Remove the 10mm hold-down bolt from each coil and lift the coils straight up out of the plug tubes, laying them out in cylinder order. If a boot sticks in the tube, twist gently — never yank the coil by its wiring. This is one of the easiest plug jobs in the segment; nothing structural blocks access on either engine.
3
Clean the wells and extract the four old plugs
Fit a 5/8-inch (16mm) spark plug socket with a rubber insert onto a 6-inch extension, seat it fully on the plug hex, and break each old plug loose counterclockwise.
🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado
Read the old plugs before you toss them — one oily plug among three clean ones told me exactly which cylinder had the problem, and that saved the owner a lot of guessing.
4
Check every plug gap against the under-hood sticker
A wire-type or feeler gauge should drag slightly between the electrodes. Adjust only the side electrode; never lever against the center electrode of a fine-wire plug. Turbocharged engines like the LFV and LTG are genuinely sensitive to incorrect gaps under boost.
5
Hand-thread each plug, then seat it per the box instruction
Lower each new plug into its tube inside the spark plug socket and thread it in by hand using the extension — never drop a plug down the hole, since the electrode bends on impact.
6
Grease the boots, reinstall the coils, and click the connectors
Apply a thin film of dielectric grease inside each coil boot to keep moisture out and stop the boot from fusing to the plug porcelain. Press each coil back down onto its plug until you feel it seat, reinstall the four 10mm hold-down bolts snugly, and reconnect each electrical connector until the locking tab clicks — tug gently to confirm. The connectors are keyed to their cylinders, so if one won't reach comfortably, you've mixed up the routing. Double-check that no tools, rags, or the engine cover clips are left sitting in the bay.
7
Refit the cover, reconnect the battery, and test under boost
Press the engine cover back down onto its grommets until it seats evenly, then reconnect the negative battery terminal. Start the engine — it should settle into a smooth idle within seconds on both the 1.5T and the 2.0T. Take the Equinox for a test drive that includes a few moderate accelerations so the turbo comes into boost; a misfire under boost or a flashing check-engine light almost always means a coil connector isn't fully latched. If everything is smooth and no codes appear, the job is done.
All Done!
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Buying 2.0T plugs for a 1.5T or vice versa — the LFV and LTG use different plug designs, so match parts to your engine.
- • Forgetting to reconnect a coil connector until the tab clicks; the Equinox will idle rough and set a misfire code instantly.
- • Overtorquing plugs into the aluminum head — hand-start every plug and seat it per the box instruction, not by feel with a long ratchet.
- • Skipping the compressed-air blowout of the plug wells, letting grit fall into the cylinder when the old plug comes out.
