Changing #6 Spark plug

[ARKQX33V6]

After 14 years of ownership can some one post an easy to follow change out of # 6 spark plug. I now an unable to navigate that blind location!. Help!, I am stuck.

[Chuck Tribolet]

There should be special spark plug wrench packed with the tire changing tools.

[ARKQX33V6]

Yes I have them but since my stroke making my hands work and not seeing what I am working on is very very difficult. Maybe some one has a trick or two, I have an extension socket taped just like the plug cover and since they both feel the same I am able to trick my brain into thinking they are the same. It is tough for me to do what I did before the stroke, but I keep trying.

[donald]

There should be special spark plug wrench packed with the tire changing tools.

wow... there is a special tool to get to the spark plug?
granted, this is my first non-transverse V6... however, I hope this doesn't apply to the VQ engines, as I didn't notice any special tool with my tire-changing kit.

[tbsbiker2]

The VQ does not need a special wrench. I just changed all of mine when I checked the swirl valves (which by the way were all super tight). Just lots of connectors to undo and you can do it with the throttle body attached but you might have to disconnect some of the components that are in the way. At 72,000 miles and as smooth as my truck ran I was surprised at how cruddy the plugs looked which may have been due to the PO having coil issues? Anyway new plugs were a nice improvement, didn't think the engine could run any smoother and now it does.

[ARKQX33V6]

donald, the tools are packed in a nice black bag with spark plug wrench and 2 different length handles, very nice, very useless to me now. Making an extension with tape to shape it does help but not being able to view the plug, the hole, the depth makes arranging my senses quite a chore. In the past it took me 1/2 hr for #6, now it takes me 1/2 hr just thinking about it.

Your tool kit may be under your rear seat or in the rear 2 side boxes.

[donald]

Thanks guys.

And ARK, I'm sorry to hear about the changes in your life. There's nothing I can say to bring down the frustration level I only imagine you're going through... but I do wish you the best!

[Pathy415]

I did this write up a few months ago, hope it helps. For the #6 plug I ended up using some universal joints and not the tool kit that came with the car.

how-to-replace-plugs-cap-rotor-on-1999- ... 27336.html

[m0nkeyprince]

here you go, a picture of the number B socket wrench ALREADY ON the #6 spark plug

6-spark-plug-on-the-3-3-any-ideas-t514591.html

[fueler]

there is a "dent" in the firewall made for you to fit the factory nissan tool. I just go from that dent and go straight down at an angle.

[ARKQX33V6]

Thanks guys, all the notes and answers were as expected. I thought someone may have come up with a novel new manner to work out #6 plug.

On examining #3 just for a look see, the plug is correct colour with "Docker" tan. The gap measured the same as I set it 3 years ago, but PM states open it up, clean, re-gap or replace, anti-seize then check again 3 years hence.

It's time for fluid changes, recommended is Pennzoil LSD rear end Hypoid 80/90, anyone use this brand? Thoughts?.

The all out oils are done every 2 years, but I am now using long life coolant that has a life of 5 years and over 200,000 km. I am lucky now if I see 7000 Km a year, so it will stay in for at least 2 more years.

The pumpkins, transmission, transfer case, power steering are being renewed along with spark plugs, air filter and gas filter. Has anyone changed their front running gear filter (All mode 4WD) at the drive motor, sub filter? This filter is OEM and I see no maintenance description for it.

Anything I missed?

[Pathy415]

Brake fluid?

[Towncivilian]

In-cabin air filter?

[ARKQX33V6]

Brake fluid was changed 2 years ago (10,000 Km), and there in no in cabin air filter that I am aware of. The original QX4 are rather simple and as a first time out unit Nissan overbuilt it in many ways and forgot many things that the newer Q's have, but all in all I think I would rather this 97 Q as compared to an 01 Q...and that's only questionable by me from all their problems they seem to have. So those with 2001 QX4's don't take offense because none is offered it just appears that model year has more than its share of notable problems.

With the recall for rusting of fenders etc has anyone inspected their own vehicle with the idea of staying away from the hazards of removing your vehicle. I am curious if one year is showing more rust than another. In 14 years the 97 I own is relatively clear but that has nothing to do with Nissan and everything to do with maintenance and rust proofing. But...and this is a big but, in investigating the rust situation the fenders just inside the front door openings show surface rust brown/red and the canister in the rear needed to be removed, cleaned and rust proofed. With the original running boards but rebuilt and reinforced they are nothing but rust catchers and need cleaning and rust proofing 2x more than the body in general.

I am trying for 20 years of service from this 97 Q, to match that of a 78 Ford Bronco that I buried in mud and plowed with for 18 years of its life.

There is no comparing of these 2 vehicles but just the same but different will this Q last?

[Towncivilian]

You could always add a cabin filter if you wish, just need a utility knife. See here, but I'm sure you know of this already.

Isn't the traditional recommendation for fresh brake fluid 2 years?

[GRNMACHINE]

Thanks guys.

And ARK, I'm sorry to hear about the changes in your life. There's nothing I can say to bring down the frustration level I only imagine you're going through... but I do wish you the best!

x2 ARK!

I used the method on here for adding cabin air filters. In the last 2 years I switched xfer case and differentials to synthetic. Is the fender recall you are referring to the recall for the strut towers? Plan on doing the plugs this year (just purchased new set of NGK wires and Irridium plugs) thanks to the awesome writeup done by Pathy415.

[ARKQX33V6]

As far as an in cabin filter goes I have lived with no filter for 14 years so its not going to happen. I change fluids every 2 years and I do brake fluid at about 3-4 years, but now with annual driving range around 5-8 K Km it can wait, but I do brakes every 3 months, inspection and testing, de-glazing, lubricating. The rear drums are still original and drums have zero wear, the shoes are still within spec but they are always cleaned and roughed up ( deglazing ). Braking surfaces are examined, measured for roughness and sizing. Front pads are changed at 125,000 Km because time takes a toll on the material although the pads are not worn down.

I have a list of 50 items that will be examined, tested, fluids replaced and this will take 2-3 days working alone. From every fluid change but brakes this time to gas filter, brakes, vacuum lines, component operations of PVC, EGR and control mechanisms to operations to finally a wash and a wax verifying the body.

Preliminary inspection has revealed rust of the inner fenders but nothing as bad as the recall. The QX4 is rustproofed by Krown every 2 years or more often as I spot areas that need it. And that area noted when I installed a cat 4 hitch is the rear end, the lower skirt and above the canister on the left side. Two cans of that black asphalt rust protection was used until after my routine inspections and then off to Krown.

This QX4 with a 14 year life still shows a maximum MPG of 31-32 at highway speeds on an imperial gallon, but even still very impressive is the compression at this age, matches those given in the specifications of the manual as new.

I bought this vehicle at about 24,000 Km and changed the oil to Mobil 1 synthetic, but I do not run synthetic oil in the transmission, transfer, pumpkins because they are changed out every 2 years and the transmission Dexron III oil is still very pink with no more than 10,000 Km or 6000 miles.

The maintenance routine on this vehicle is such that I experience zero downtime throughout the year which by the way is the same routine I use on a 31 year old Honda Goldwing.

Thank you very much for your various inputs, I really do not look forward to messing around with a badly placed spark plug because I know that I can do so many other things in the time that I have to struggle with that 1 job,. I will take my time, there is no choice, if you hear screaming coming form Central Ontario, that's me venting.

Thank you all!