z31 spark plug change

[DizzyKitty]

I have an 88zx and i went to change the sparkplugs and realized that the plugs are in the most inopportune spots. I one out after a bit ( front most passenger side) however i cant seem to get the socket around the other two on that side. Also, am i supposed to attempt to take these out without taking all the junk on top of them out first? I have never had a problem with spark plugs before this car....

[evildky]

it's actually easier than you think

in the trunk, next to your jack and tire tool, is a long metal tube about a foot long with a hole through one end and a small bar about the size of a pencil, the bar goes through the tube to make a "T" handle, this is the factory spark plug tool, it will fit right down to the spark plugs wiht lettle effort, you might need to move a wire bundle or a vac line but ohterwise it's quite simple

[DizzyKitty]

i believe i found what you were talking about... however, i cant seem to get it to clear the valve cover(too thick). Maybe this is the factory tool to get the lug nuts off?

[DizzyKitty]

actually i think i am just missing that particular tool.....

[AZ-ZBum]

You haven't read the instructions in the Haynes manual either, have you? I bet you didn't bother to blow all the debris out of the tunnels the spark plugs are in.

Even with a regular spark plug socket and wrench, you should easily be able to get to them with a 9" extension.

[Perrenial Badass]

You can get at a lot more than spark plugs with a 9" extension...

Anyway... the tool in question is 99540 and 99541:
http://www.courtesyparts.com/300zx-part ... _2486.html

Regular socket and extension actually works just as well for the driver's side, with all the stuff on the stock plenum there's really no "easy" way to get at them anyways so the extra bulk of that tool doesn't exactly help.

[DizzyKitty]

Unfortunately i left my hayne's manual in texas. However, i did look down the spark plug hole and saw all the debris. I am just waiting for a good opportunity, (free garage/sunny day) to shop-vac all that gunk out.

[AZ-ZBum]

shop vac won't work. you'll need pressurized air.

[DizzyKitty]

shop vac won't work. you'll need pressurized air.

Compressor is also in Texas, would an aerosol duster can thingy work you think? Ima do it anyway...

[AZ-ZBum]

Not even remotely.

But.... If you're really careful (and I mean REALLY careful) and wait until your engine is cold (like sitting overnight for many hours cold), you can use a hose with one of those pressure nozzles. Then, you might be able to blow the residual water out with the aerosol duster or shop vac.

I really only recommend this as a last resort. And you really need to make sure that the area is 100% dry before removing the plugs. So basically, it becomes an all day thing.



oh... and buy another Haynes manual. If you need help like this, you really need to always have a manual on hand.