FINALLY going to do my Spark Plugs..

[Qxxx4]

Im getting my mechanic friend to do the plugs and wires, anything i need to be careful for with the 3.3L? that #6 plug do i HAVE to have that special tool or do you think he can use a regular tool...hes a friggin mechanic im sure hes got something to reach back there. the dudes 6'3 too LOL

also gunna do the fuel filter too

im at 120,000 kms...Well overdue for the plug change so im excited. gunna do it on tuesday

ALSO i need NGK plugs right? no platinum or bosch right

thanks

[02pathy]

i would get ngk wires, ngk platinum, double platinum or irdium plugs, as for that special tool i wouldn't know for the 3.3, i have a boy who had a 3.3 said it was a b----h to get the last one but no mention of a tool

p.s. don't forget cap n rotor

[Qxxx4]

i replaced the distributor cap about 2 years ago so im sure its fine

[Densetsu]

As long as your friend has a couple of extensions and a u-joint or two, you should be golden. I've also seen flexible extensions around, when I saw those in the store I immediately thought of the 3.3

And yup, NGK or bust. If your friend doesn't have an air compressor, a can of compressed air (like you use for your computer) helps clear the dirt/dust out too.

[fueler]

i would use the Nissan tool, it makes everything easier. Theres an indentation in the firewall to help guide you down to plug 6. I wouldn't attempt plug 6 with swivels and extensions but im sure it can be done, it would just be unnecessarily frustrating. (and any mechanic with half a brain would charge more if its a pain in the a**)

i agree with denetsu, after you pull the plug wires but before you pull the plugs, blow some air into the holes to get the dirt out. I do this at a gas station with the air compressor.

[fueler]

and whatever your homie charges you.... just remember that spark plugs cost around $25 for the set and fuel filter is like $9

labor will likely cost you way more than the parts (dont know how good of a friend it is) but it might be worth learning to do PS you should have the gas tank almost empty when you do the fuel filter, or else a whole bunch will spill out

[Qxxx4]

Hes a good friend. he works at a ford dealership and they can bring their own cars in after 5. I buy the parts myself and he always says to me and my other firends *just take me out for dinner* LOL i always pay him well whatever he does on my car. a case of beer and $40 and hell be jumping for joy. I help him on everything he does anyways

I got NGK Iridium plugs, $60 for all 6, there was platinum ones but i figured id spend double and get the better ones. I dont need to gap them do i?? it says i dont need to.

I got a generic fuel filter for $15. I hope he can manage cuz i filled up yesterday! he said it should be fine. Tuesday is the day to do it all and my q will be officially all good with maintenance except tires and o2 sensors.

[W O T]

YES you HAVE to check gap on those plugs, I dont care how many companies swear they are in spec out of the box.

The tool is a toonie, or Im sure your friend has one, it takes 3 minutes to check and adjust gap across them all and its worth the piece of mind, definetely check

[Qxxx4]

whats the gap for the qx4's? i think i saw it in the manual somewhere, ill def get it if nobody knows

[W O T]

My 01 is .043"

[Chuck Tribolet]

My experience is that if you get the real Nissan part, they are gapped and ready to go. But you still check them. If you can find the right tool, it's litterallyabout two seconds apeice. I got my tool years ago in some autoparts store,you just dial the gap, slide the plug in and squeeze. But I went looking forsomething like it a couple of years ago (I think for somebody on the BostonWhaler board), and couldn't find anything like it, other than a couple of references to somebody having the same part number and thinking it was great. It has a p/n 670 on it, and Pat. No 2,645,142. It MAY have come fromKD tools. If anybody tracks one of these down, please post more info, I'vegot a couple of buds who drool over it.

[Chuck Tribolet]

It will probably be in the front of the FSM in the maintenance section.

Note that '01 is a whole different engine and probably plug technology. But I'msure YOU knew that.

[GRNMACHINE]

How did the plugs go? I havent done those yet. Did the fuel filter recently, it was pretty easy except the bolt that holds the filter tight on the bracket broke. Ordered another bracket from McKinney Nissan and no problem.

[Qxxx4]

get the special spark plug tool and youll be fine. I thought doing the number 6 plug would be easy and we had a hell of a time with no success until i got the tool

[sixty4]

get the special spark plug tool and youll be fine. I thought doing the number 6 plug would be easy and we had a hell of a time with no success until i got the tool

Am I just not a part of the in-crowd, I mean all this talk about "special tool for #6"

What is it, can I buy it?

[Qxxx4]

it was meant for the 3.3L engines as ours are apparently harder to reach the #6 plug. your 3.5 is doable without it from what i hear, easier to reach but you cant even see the 3.3L #6 plug at the back.

The tool was supposed to come with the QX4's but mine didnt have one, so I found one from a fellow owner.

fuelers pic

[REZN]

...grape cigarillo

[Qxxx4]

...grape cigarillo

nothing beats captain blacks vanilla sweets