i have well over 117000 miles on my max and i believe i have not did a 60k service which is not good, not good at all for performance and car health's wise.

1) everyone recommends NGK spark plugs. which version should i get?:

is standard the copper one? Standard goes relativily cheap, around $2.
what about dealer?
i also read the how to on replacing the spark plugs. how do u apply 14-22lbs
for torquing the Spark Plugs? sorry for my ignorance on this part, i never chagned them out before. On the site theres also another way:
"The method i use is, once the plug becomes snug, i then make one full 1/4 turn with the wrench. Again do this at your own risk."
is getting the torquing or turn really crucial?

2) Clean TB
3) Need to change fuel filter. What do u guys recommend? advance have serveral brands

for $13 i believe or just OEM nissan maxima or 300zx?
How much do they charge at the dealer?

4) Knock senor will be left alone cause too $ and don't think has to be replaced.
5) got CAI which i guess acts as a renewall for air filter.

6) any others i should do?

 

NGK v power
Any fuel filter is good
Switch to synthetic oil if you want
Nissan OEM oil filters are known to be the best

 

Get the NISSAM OEM fuel filter ...

V-Power platinum plugs as the above poster said ..

 

I thought it was more of a risk to change to synthetic at a higher mileage?

 

alright i guess i'll go w/ vqpow i mean vpower. not platinum cause i heard they don't provide best spark but longer longetivy. so vpower copper whtever.

any info on the spark plug installation as i stated above? like the torquing and stuff.

 

Check your KS with an ohm meter

 

i used plats, but for the last sparkplug at the back you might have to take off that metal plate for the throttle cable i belive?

 

wht should it read?

[QUOTE]i used plats, but for the last sparkplug at the back you might have to take off that metal plate for the throttle cable i belive?[QUOTE]

yeh on the how to, it said remove like 2 bolts or something, i guess i'll be able to figure it out.


will someone please answer this question: is torqueing the plugs to 14-22lbs which i dunno how to do crucial? how did u guys do this or others ways?

 

get a 300zx fuel filter from the same year. itll last twice as long.

 

thank u i'll check in on that when i go to dealer.

still no one answered my question stated 2 posts above.
wow, is it just a dum question or what?

 

"6 NGK Platinum spark plugs are required for the tuneup. Platinum plugs do not need to be gapped. If you use copper plugs the gap is .044. Put anti-seize on the spark plug threads and torque to 18 ft/lbs."

this just makes it more confusing. what does it mean gapped? so basically for platinums, u just plug and screw?

 

I didn't do my first tuneup until i had 120k miles. When I took the plugs out they looked very good. The only thing that was bad was the fuel filter. And most plugs are just plug and play. I'm sure the copper ones are. you can always measure the gap and correct it.

 

If you don't know what a spark plug gap is, I highly suggest you do some major research before you begin any repairs on your own. That's okay though because everyone has to start somewhere. But to answer your question, the gap is the distance between the spark plug element and the L-shaped metal tip. The space between, or the gap, is where the spark occurs. On many spark plugs, the distance must be set to a particular spec. For NGK coppers that spec is 0.044 inches. The NGK platinums do not need to be gapped because they come already set for installation. You can get a gapping tool at any auto store for a couple of bucks.

A word to the wise about torque specs and spark plugs, when tightening your new plug down, just turn it until its tight and snug. You don't need a torque wrench for spark plugs. I know there are torque specs for every bolt and fastener on our cars but some of them you can ignore while others are important. Spark plug torque specs you can ignore.

Good luck.

 

yeah, I second wayman on that, just don't use too much force on the plugs. Also, all plugs designed for our cars should already be gapped to .044", at least all the NGK's are.

As far as I know, I have never seen anyone prove that damage was caused by switching to synthetic at higher mileage. In fact, on my friend's Audi A4, the manual used to state always use regular oil, and they just released a service bulletin to have everyone switch over to synthetic, regardless of miles on the car. I switched my Maxima at 88K miles, and its still kicking hard at 105K. I switched my last car at 112K (300ZX).

As for the fuel filter, there is only one 300ZX fuel filter, it is the same from 1990-1996 NA and TT. http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...de=16400-00002
$12.08+s/h
Please do not ever buy any filtration products from fram. In the words of a good friend, "You are right, oil filtration isn't important, from now on I'm going to use a balled up sock in a soup can"

 

[QUOTE=g4nismo]wht should it read?

[QUOTE]i used plats, but for the last sparkplug at the back you might have to take off that metal plate for the throttle cable i belive?The way you are able to ensure correct torqing specs is by using a torque wrench. They are like $20 at auto part stores. I found them to be completely useless for my plugs, because of the flex in the extension (you need like a 10" ext. to reach down there, and a telescoping magnet comes in handy) - the farther the torque wrench is away from the bolt being tightened, the less accurate it gets. You know you're at the right torque because it clicks when the certain setting is reached. Go to the 4th gen. hot to's, or vqpower.com to read about spark plug installs

 

I use Iridium and my car has never run better (15000 miles and still fine). To each their own. My next tuneup will be coppers. I miss having to work on my car.

 

I don't believe it when people say they have 117,000 and 120,000 miles on their cars and they have never had a tuneup. I think what they mean to say is they haven't tuned the car up since they have owned it and they certainly haven't owned the car since new so how the hell do they know what the previous owner did unless they have the work history.

To go 120,000 miles on the original plugs, fuel filter, PCV valve etc. does not make sense and is stupidity. Look after your car or sell it to someone who will!

 

Wrong, you can do it anytime.

 

Agreed, go to the Nissan dealership (or order online) and ask for a 300ZX fuel filter. Next tune up, I'll remember to do this. Also stick with the V-Power coppers, the platinums make no difference but last longer. I'd also recommend using Sea Foam or atleast a product that does the same clean up. Just in case I'd also use rather Chevron/Techron gasoline or a gas additive to clean the gas tank, gas hoses, and the fuel injectors.

I dont know if this is true but someone also said that a better way of cleaning the engine block is by adding water through the intake throttle body and just rev the engine untill it runs smoothly again without shutting it off until you take it for a spin around the block just to make sure.

 

BTW this is some information I found just to back up the engine cleaning with water theory: http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/bp/16/watvap.htm

http://www.blueoceantackle.com/bthp_...structions.htm

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t145184.html

This is a great link to learn of it: http://www.teknett.com/pwp/drmayf/injchem.htm

 

Actually my car was given to me by my parents and I know they never changed the spark plugs because we do all the maintanence ourselves. I did the tune-up because my car started acting up one summer and didn't want to start right away. This was because the fuel filter was bad. I decided to change the spark plugs at that time too.

 

What kind of gas mileage were you getting at 120,000 miles before the tuneup? I was under the impression that if the plugs were left in too long that you might have a b!tch of a time getting one or two out at the back given the expansion and contraction of the aluminum block. Did you have any difficulty in removing the plugs?

I didn't mean to flame you but I can't fathom going 120,000 miles on a plug that is scheduled to be changed at 60,000. Certainly fuel economy and performance would be compromised the further along one gets past 60,000 miles!

 

from reading this thread i just ordered a 300ZX fuel filter from www.everythingnissan.com. My car is 121k and i'm gathering things for my tune up as well. i already have NGK coppers that i bought from Advanced Auto.

W/ shipping it came out to 16.81 and i should have it by friday.

Great website for all your OEM goodies. Check it out. Their # is 1.888.216.5328

 

actually fuel economy wasn't bad. The sparks plugs came out easily. I was very surprised to see that they held up so well. I changed them to bosch plats. and had to change them again at another 30k. I actually started getting bad gas mileage after my O2 sensors went out shortly after. It's amazing how much better stock spark plugs are. After my set of bosch +4's are due for replacing I'm getting some NGK coppers.

 

so if there already gapped, i don't have to worry about this huh? i guess i'll also ask the people at advance. if plats arn't that expensive compared to cops, i might get those.

sorry about that. i misinterpreted the wrong way. i'm sure the previous owner did but i'm saying after i got it, i havn't done any ever since. other than TB, oil, and filter.

 

Maybe you can use Auto-Rx just before doing the tune-up.

Caracicatriz: How much drop in mileage did you notice when the O2 sensor was gone ?

 

I'm not sure because I never actually measured it. But I know it made a pretty big difference cause I was visiting the gas station twice as much on a weekly basis.

 

Hm, I stand corrected then. I was just always led to believe since it is more thin than regular oil it had a chance of leaking through seals and whatnot.

 

coppers are $2 a plug, plats are $10-12 a plug. Plat's last twice as long, but to save $10/plug I'll change mine every 30k miles.

 

5w-30 is 5w-30 is 5w-30, the weight is not affected by synthetic vs non-synthetic.

 

i changed my spark plugs at nissan a year ago and they were half burned up too much speedin huh

 

alright i'm gettin 300zd fue filter for around $15.95 at dealer. i'll ask for 10% off but they usually give it to me.

i'm getting the copper plugs from advance b/c plats are just way too expensive.

 

I bet your car is gonna feel REEEAAALL good once u get that tune up done

 

are u bein sarcastic? huh, well are ya? u wanna fight huh? what u wanna race?
boy my ca will smok yo's boyeee... ha kinda got sidetracked there, just j/k around

 

good luck with the tune up.

anyone have a part number for the v-power ngks? the ones at advanced I'm not sure if there v-powered they dont say.

 

Actually I also understand that once you hit the 100k region it's best to use a high weight oil... example being 10W-30.

 

I've heard that also. I believe it to be true