Access to spark #1
 

I soon will treat my 97 XJ to a tune-up, and as the saying goes, there's always one spark plug which is a pain to get to.
On my 97 XJ automatic, that must be spark # 1 (the one closest to the front). The plug is tucked away behind 2 hoses and 2x metal-like tubes.

Question: to get access to this sparkplug, can I just temporarily remove the hoses which lead to the thermostat housing (so disconnect them at the thermostat housing) or will things go horribly wrong when I do that?

Am in the proces of trying to do things myself like you guys (instead of paying the shop all the dollars to do it for me) so I'm looking for some experience 'from the field'.

Thanks again in advance for your advice!

Just use like a 9" extension and move the hoses a little. The large hose has coolant in it so you would have to top that off if you removed it.
On my 93' the 6 is the hardest

There's not even room enough to lift the spark plug boot, because the hoses. Can I remove the smaller hose then?

Is there any way you could take a pic of it so I can get a better understanding of the confines?
You can't get your hand down to it to pull?

Nope, will take a pic tonight (am in Oz ;) and will try uploading it. Might need to come back on this though.

In the meantime, anyone with a 97-2001 XJ who could give me some advice on this?

yeah its a pain, but gently pull the hose up and try to get an extension on it

i had to use a pair of channel locks to get my wire off... maybe get it warmed up so the hoses are more pliable? i just man handled them hoses out of the way, also maybe use more that one extension...

No, do not warm it up. There's a good chance you'll crack the ceramic part of the spark plug with it warm. Simply move the hose a little and use an extension on the plug. For the wire itself, any type of pliers can rip the boot insulation. Again, move tr hose a little and pull it off. It's really not too hard. #6 is the pain only cuz of the angle and tight fit with the firewall. A swivel joint works wonders on it.

if you push the hose over and use a long extension you shouldn't have any problems

My 6 in-line (cherokee 2001) has a metal rack holding the spark wires/boots. Getting that out of the way to change the plugs is difficult due to the two large hoses and the tight spaces. I feel I'm going to rip the connection joint off. I turn, twist and rotate the bar all at once, sort of like those curved nail puzzles you try to separate. Even then, the hose makes one of the plugs difficult to reach. I agree with the extension, and an angle joint for the extension might help. I just push the hose far enough to get at that plug. I'm delaying changing my 2000 jeep until warmer weather, as it idles rough.

i would have never thought that... i have a spark plug socket, 5/8" with a rubber holder...

FYI the Op is in Australia so he has a Right Hand drive vehicle so everything might be turned around.

X2. Yep, brake booster and steering column on the right so it might be a little more crowded in there that we're used to seeing.