Spark Plugs...due for change?

[Chuck Tribolet]

And yet another thing: As you pull the old plugs out, lay them down on thebench in a nice pattern so you know which cylinder they came out of. And readup on reading plug color. With today's engine management systems, it's quite unlikely that you find one that's off, but it's a good feeling to know thatthings are working right. My definition of the right color is "tan Dockers slacks"or just a touch darker.

Chuck

[ryan.l.casey]

Question for all you pathfinder peeps... i have an 03 pathfinder LE. I have been having the "service engine soon" light pop up. Dealership is telling me I need a new catalytic converter ( and OF COURSE its not covered by the "bumber to bumber" extended warranty i paid close to 2G's for it). I have spoken to an outside mech. that has said that changing the spark plugs could possibly relieve the issue as converters are supposed to outlive the vehicles (as long as a sawzall isnt taken to it that is). Anybody have any suggestions/idea's/ or experience with this situation.

[Towncivilian]

If your vehicle burns oil or misfires, this shortens the life of the catalytic converters. Cats should last 150k+ easily. I dunno if spark plugs could cause a P0420 code. You should get codes pulled at an AutoZone and post them here in a new topic.

[ryan.l.casey]

p0420= CAT Efficiency below threshold bank 1. is the code and description i got. I bought a CatConverter from Autoparts Warehouse for like 200 bucks but I have heard of some possible issues so ive yet to have it put on.

[ryan.l.casey]

also saw something saying it could be an O2 sensor which im guessing would be considerably less cost.

[Towncivilian]

Aftermarket catalytic converters are most of the time not as efficient as OEM ones, and are usually just as effective as a dead OEM cat. Your mileage may vary depending on brand.

The rear O2 sensor's primary function is to determine whether the cat is good. This sensor could be bad, but I would think that if it were you would be getting another code, not just P0420. You can get a direct-fit Bosch O2 sensor for about $50 at Advance Auto Parts online if you use a discount code and pick it up in store if you feel like replacing it anyway. Bank 1 is passenger side.

[ryan.l.casey]

do you happen to know of any good place to pick up an OEM cat for less than an arm and a leg...and the other leg... lol.

[Towncivilian]

do you happen to know of any good place to pick up an OEM cat for less than an arm and a leg...and the other leg... lol.

You can try Courtesy Parts - $576.08. You'd have to call them to purchase it I think. Still very expensive though.

You can also try calling Rob Lacy at Nissan of McKinney or posting in that thread on NPORA, he may be able to get it for a bit cheaper than Courtesy Parts.

[ryan.l.casey]

I appreciate all the information

[BoostMyQX4]

Oh sure now i found this thread .
Bought our 97 QX4 from private seller, i decided to inspect the plugs and they looked like they were replaced 1 time 130K miles ago.
So i went to PepBoys and picked up some E3 at 7 dollars a piece.

Difference i felt was when i turned on the QX after replacing the plugs, it started in a instant and ran smooth as to when it had the old plugs it started a little rough.
Power difference, yes it felt like it had a little more power.
But the main reason why im in this thread is to post about that tool in that back seat to remove spark plug 6 that i didnt know anything about until i decided to come back in the forum and see if there was an easy way to remove spark plug 6, after 1 hour of fighting removing and putting back spark plug 6 i found this thread and about the tool in the back seat

[Towncivilian]

How come you didn't use the factory-specified NGK BKR5ES-11 plugs? They're cheaper than the E3 plugs you purchased.

[BoostMyQX4]

How come you didn't use the factory-specified NGK BKR5ES-11 plugs? They're cheaper than the E3 plugs you purchased.

They didn't have them in stock and i live 45 minutes away from any auto parts and i also wanted to try them out that's why
Also saids they are warrantied for 100K miles, i will check that in the next 30K.

[97PathfinderGuy]

First of, thanks to all who posted on this link about how to change the spark plugs on the 3.3L. I spent hours fruitlessly trying to FIND the #6 plug (of course after removing the spark plug wire, then forgetting the location from where it had come from). I thought I was in real deep doodoo until I read this thread. As is usual, the right tool and the right information made all the difference - it took maybe 20 minutes to change the previously inaccessible plugs after I found, assenbled, and used the Magic Tools. I took some pictures of the tools and how they fit together, will post them here in this thread as soon as I figure how to add them (any tips?)

[Towncivilian]

Welcome to NICO.

Upload your picture to www.imgur.com and it'll give you copy & paste options to post the image here easily.

[uneektyreek]

Thank you all for this thread. I am no way close to being a mechanic, but with the information from this thread I was able to change all 6 spark plugs in my 1993 Pathfinder. I have never changed spark plugs before in my life. This saved me soooooo much money!

[skiski329]

What is the difference between the factory-specified NGK BKR5ES-11 and these Bosch sparks? the advertising has gotten my attention i'd rather spend a few extra $$$ and get the better ones, but idk what to look for in a spark.

here is the advert
http://www.boschautoparts.com/SparkPlug ... x#overview

here it is at the oreilly store
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0334

[Towncivilian]

I would buy the OEM NGK plugs from RockAuto (cheapest anywhere except maybe Advance Auto Parts with discount codes). I wouldn't bother with using different plugs, you won't notice a difference.

[PathyProject]

Does anyone know the spark plug gap for a spark plug that goes into a 3.3L Pathfinder engine?

[Towncivilian]

0.039 - 0.043 in (1.0 - 1.1 mm)

[PathyProject]

Thanks, Towncivillian. Also has anyone torqued the plugs, or do you all just tighten them until they feel nice and snug?

[Towncivilian]

Absolutely use a torque wrench. Torque spec is 14 - 22 ft/lbs. I'd go for 18 ft/lbs.

[Niti QX4]

Old thread I know, but does anyone have a picture of the tool that is mentioned here?

[mdmellott]

Old thread I know, but does anyone have a picture of the tool that is mentioned here?

Not all torque wrenches look the same or function in the same manner but they all do the same job. There are basically three types. (beam, click, and digital) There are many retail brands and models of these wrenches to choose from. Your local auto parts or hardware store will likely have several types.

[Niti QX4]

Thanks, but I meant regarding the special spark plug tool that is supposed to be under the back seat.

[mdmellott]

Thanks, but I meant regarding the special spark plug tool that is supposed to be under the back seat.

Okay. I didn't read all that was written in here so I only saw talk about torqueing the spark plugs. The special tool I think you are referring to cannot be used with a torque wrench but it does the job well enough. I wrote a reply to someone else regarding this tool and how to use the special piece on the #6 plug. I posted that reply with an image of the tool. I hope this helps. >>> topic257626.html#p6836540