Okay, this is my first post and after listening to you guys talking about rebuilding engines, etc, I feel real stupid asking this. I know enough about cars to do standard maintenance (?), but I leave the fancy stuff for the mechanics. So here'* what I've got:

96 Bonneville SE V6 3800. I go to swap out the spark plugs and I see that they seem to be in 3 pairs, each pair screwed down in a plastic housing. You guys know what I'm talking about. So, I detach the housings and I can't get them open. Are these like disposable 'spark plug packs' that I just need to go buy online somewhere? I know if I go to a dealer, they'll screw me. Anyone know a good place to buy these? Or, am I being stupid and just not figured out how to get the spark plugs out of these 'packs'?

Another question. This car (133,000k, used) didn't come with a service manual. What'* the best way to test the transmission fluid level on this model? I know with previous cars, I'd go through these elaborate steps that I now forget.

Thanks for any help you guys can muster up!

It sounds like you are looking at the coils, not the plugs. Follow the wires to the other end and you will find the plugs under the exhaust manifold.

Duhhhh....thanks. Told you I was being stupid!

Now THAT was funny. Thanks guys!

Throb, welcome to the Forum.....glad to have you here with us.

WHILE YOUR AT IT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER SWAPING THE OLD SPARK PLUGS W/ THE BOSH +4 BRAND....JUST A SUGGESTION

Thanks...I'll be sure to do that Mr Bosh!

I wouldn't reccomend that on a Series II 3800 though as the Bosch Platinums will probally cause a miss in less than a years time! I know I've tried them. I reccomend ONLY AC Delco platinum Plugs OR NGK Irridium Plugs (AS the new GM Platinum'* are really Irridiums anyways).

Thanks, Deathrat. Hey, you seem to be the guy I need to talk to. Does this sound familiar for a '96:

On gradual accelleration, between 1800-2000 rpm (45-50 mph or so) I get this rumbling sound. Almost sounds/feels like slipping between gears. Also happens during cruise mode, same rpm, but cruising around 65mph. Give it the gas and the rumbling stops.

They've checked the tranny and igntion and it checks out okay....nobody can figure out what'* wrong (unless this is normal for mid-90'* bonnevilles). On a related note, I was having trouble with this broken tube under the upper intake manifold. It was leaking coolant. The more the coolant leaked (before we found out what the problem was with the coolant), the worse the rumbling became. After we fixed the problem under the manifold, the rumbling remained, but consistently under the conditions like I described above. This is why I'm changing the plugs...hoping it'* some kind of ignition thing.

Whattayathink? Sound familiar at all? :?

Sounds like maybe you've got yourself an intake leak & possible leaking vacuum too as well as coolant? BTW: which tube under the manifold? Where was it? Front of engine besides Alternator? By Throttle Body on the back side of the engine?

I'll back up the Rat on the bosch plugs. I've had nothing but trouble with them. As far as the rumbling goes, that'* PURRING. It'* HAPPY.