2021 Chevy Equinox 1.5T Spark Plug Replacement — DIY Guide

The 2021 Chevy Equinox 1.5T uses a turbocharged inline-four that responds noticeably to fresh spark plugs. I noticed the symptoms before I expected to — minor roughness at idle, slight hesitation on throttle application, and fuel economy that had dropped about 2 MPG from what it used to be. The plugs were at 55,000 miles — not terrible, but past the sweet spot on iridium plugs in a turbo application.

Here's how to replace the spark plugs on the 2021 Chevy Equinox 1.5L EcoTec turbo.

Quick Specs

Item	Spec
Engine	1.5L Turbocharged EcoTec 4-cyl (LYX)
Plug type	Iridium long-life
OEM plug	ACDelco 41-187 (iridium)
Aftermarket equivalent	NGK ILKAR7L11 (9807B-561BW), Denso IXU22
Plug gap	Pre-gapped — do not adjust
Spark plug torque	15 lb-ft (20 Nm)
Coil bolt torque	89 in-lb (10 Nm)
Change interval	60,000 miles
Number of plugs	4

Tools Needed

• 5/8" (16mm) spark plug socket (with rubber insert)
• 3/8" drive ratchet and extensions (6" + 3")
• 8mm socket (coil bolt)
• Torque wrench (in-lb rated for the coil bolts)
• Dielectric grease
• Anti-seize compound (optional — do not use with pre-coated plugs, check ACDelco packaging)
• Gap gauge (to verify — even pre-gapped plugs occasionally ship slightly off)
• Engine degreaser / compressed air (optional, to clean plug wells before removal)

Important: Plug Well Access on the 1.5T

The 1.5T LYX engine is transversely mounted with the front of the engine facing the firewall — the spark plugs and coil packs are on the rear of the engine block, facing the firewall. Access is tighter than a conventional engine but manageable.

You can do this job without removing the engine cover — just pop the cover off the top of the engine (it unclips without tools) and you'll see the four coil packs on the back of the cylinder head.

Step-by-Step

1. Let the Engine Cool

Spark plugs must be removed from a cold engine. Installing or removing plugs in a hot aluminum head risks cross-threading and thread damage. Wait at least 2 hours after last operation.

2. Remove the Engine Cover

The plastic engine cover clips on and off without tools. Grip firmly at the corners and pull upward. Set aside.

3. Locate the Coil Packs

Four individual coil-on-plug (COP) units sit directly above each spark plug bore. Each coil has one 8mm bolt holding it to the valve cover, and an electrical connector.

4. Disconnect the Coil Pack Connectors

Press the tab on each electrical connector and pull straight back. Don't yank — press the tab first.

5. Remove the Coil Bolts

Use the 8mm socket to remove the single bolt from each coil pack. Torque to 89 in-lb (10 Nm) on reinstall — don't overtighten.

6. Extract the Coil Packs

Pull each coil pack straight up out of the plug well. Some will be snug from the rubber boot sealing around the plug. A slight twist while pulling helps.

7. Blow Out the Plug Wells (Recommended)

Before removing the old plugs, blast each plug well with compressed air to clear any debris. The last thing you want is grit falling into the combustion chamber.

8. Remove the Old Spark Plugs

Seat the 5/8" spark plug socket firmly on the plug and use the 6" + 3" extension combo with your ratchet. Break each plug loose counterclockwise. Back out slowly — the 1.5T aluminum head can strip if you rush.

9. Inspect the Old Plugs

Check the electrode and ground strap condition:

• Light tan/gray: Normal combustion
• Black/sooty: Rich condition or oil fouling
• White/ashy: Lean condition or coolant leak
• Eroded electrode: Normal wear — replace

If the old plugs look abnormal, investigate the cause before installing new ones.

10. Check the Gap on New Plugs

ACDelco 41-187 plugs are pre-gapped at 0.039"–0.043" from the factory. Verify with a feeler gauge — the spec can drift in shipping. Do not adjust iridium electrode plugs with a conventional gap tool; only adjust from the ground strap side if needed.

11. Install New Plugs

Apply a tiny amount of anti-seize to the threads (or skip if ACDelco 41-187 plugs have factory-applied coating — check package). Thread in by hand at least 3–4 turns before using the socket. Torque to 15 lb-ft.

12. Reinstall Coil Packs

Slide each coil pack into its well until seated. Reinstall 8mm bolt to 89 in-lb. Reconnect electrical connector — click confirms engagement.

13. Reinstall Engine Cover and Test

Clip the engine cover back on. Start the engine. It may take 2–3 seconds to start on the first attempt as the ignition system re-primes. Let it idle — a smooth, consistent idle is the target. Clear any stored misfire codes with an OBDII scanner if the check engine light was on.

Cost Comparison

	DIY	GM Dealer / Shop
ACDelco 41-187 plugs (4x)	~$28–$40	—
Labor	$0	$100–$180
Total	~$28–$40	$150–$250

A dealer spark plug job on the 1.5T Equinox runs $150–$250 because of the labor time for plug well access on a tight engine bay. The job itself is genuinely straightforward — the labor markup is steep.

Common Mistakes

1. Using the wrong plug gap tool. Do not use a coin-style gap tool on iridium plugs — the thin iridium center electrode bends or chips. Use a feeler gauge only, and only move the ground strap if gapping.

2. Cross-threading the plugs. Always start by hand. Three to four turns by hand before using the socket. Aluminum head threads strip at less than 20 lb-ft.

3. Overtorquing the coil bolts. 89 in-lb. That's about 7.4 ft-lb. Easy to overtighten with an in-lb torque wrench set too high.

4. Skipping the gap check. Pre-gapped plugs are usually correct. Check them anyway — a plug gapped at 0.060" instead of 0.040" causes hard starting and misfires on a turbo engine.

For more on keeping the 1.5T EcoTec running well, see the 5 annoying things about working under a car (fixed) guide and the how much money can you save doing your own car maintenance breakdown.

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