need to tune up mom's car, some advice needed
 

Was wondering what type of spark plugs everyone here uses? I was thinking of going with an iridium or copper set. What are the specs for the spark plug gap and what should I be torquing down the spark plug to?

Also the transmission seems to be making lots of weird noises especially when at a stop. Could it have something to do with the timing belt? What are symptoms when you need to replace your timing belt/water pump (as i'm not sure whether she replaced these or not).

The tachometer also jumps around a lot...anyway to fix this? (I'm just assuming some sensor is going faulty)

Thanks for the heads up. Any other recommendations that I should tune?

We have a 95 GLE with 120k miles

Is this a farkin joke :rofl: x 10e^10

I'll do my best to not punch the screen while I type.

1. RTFM
2. RTFS
3. AAAAGGGGHHHHHH !!!!! !! !!!

1. copper, gap is in a manual which you should also buy
2. what timing belt..... and if our cars even had one why would it affect the tranny?
3. the sensor is shasbot

We have a metallic timing belt...

I must say that you have made good use of this website in the almost 4 years that you have been a member!

You should start off by reading the stickies, FAQs and buying a Haynes repair manual for your Maxima, before you get your arse singed! :reading: :tardsmash :redbounce

The VQ30DE engine does not have a timing belt, it has a timing chain that should last the life of the engine, ie. well in excess of 250,000 miles if the vehicle is properly maintained. The timing chain tensioner sometimes requires tightening.



You should use only NGK plugs: either OEM laser platinum plugs (PFR5G-11) or V-power copper plugs(BKR5E-11). The platinum plugs will last at least 60K. The coppers may last 30K, but are about 1/5th the cost of the OEM
plats.

When was the last time the PCV valve, air filter and fuel filter were replaced?

Have you ever cleaned the throttle body, idle air control valve, and EGR valve?

When was the last time the transmission and radiator were flushed?

Automatic transmission fluid should be drained and filled every 30K and flushed every 60K. The radiator coolant should be flushed and replaced every 30K.

I would suggest you find out what service is required at 60K and repeat it.

I hope you have a lot of spare cash lying around if you aren't capable of doing any of the work yourself.

A word to the wise: Do NOT take your car to the stealership?

Good luck!

:rofl: :bill:

NGK copper or platinum for the spark plugs. Our engines run on a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. Replace your water pump only if it starts leaking. As for the noises, I doubt the timing chain has anything to do w/ the transmission. Might be something wrong w/ your tranny.

Further to my earlier comments, you should also flush the power steering fluid or at least do the turkey baster removal and replacement approach.

When was the last time the brakes were serviced? The brake fluid should be flushed and replaced periodically.

If your car has not been properly maintained, which I strongly suspect is the case, you have a lot of work ahead of you. Don't forget all the necessary visual inspections:
CV boots, suspension, exhaust, steering, belts, hoses etc.

Are we having fun yet?

Do you own a Jiffy Lube franchise up there in BC? I totally disagree with your advice to service an auto every 2 years (I don't own an auto, and I'd guess that you don't the way you bash em). Flush the power steering fluid? You're kidding, right? How do you get the residual out of the rack? You speak like you're an expert but correct me if I'm wrong, you wanted to know whether it was worth it to change your brake pads after being on the road for 10 years and 6,000 miles. Then you decided not to do it yourself. :jump:

I don't sit here and contemplate my navel and go on about BMWs ad infinitum while I am on this website. It is common knowledge on this website that ATF fluid should be drained and filled every 30K and a flush be done every 60K. In fact, some .orgers recommend changing ATF fluid every 15K. I said nothing about doing it every 2 years.

Do you not read the service schedule in your owner's manual and the recommendations in Haynes?

You have a manual tranny: when was the last time you replaced the clutch fluid and the transaxle gear oil? You should have done it by now.

Perhaps you're too busy mixing octanes to save 5 cents.

It is also common knowledge that power steering fluid should be replaced periodically and the best way to do it is to have it flushed profesionally. Alternatively the turkey baster approach could be repeated a number of times.

You must have selective memory. I never inquired about changing brake pads after 10 years and 6,000 miles. I commented on having to buy rebuilt rear calipers and replacing 10.5 year old brake pads with 40% left to the wear bar because the seized caliper warped one.

In fact, my front brake pads are 11 years old now, work perfectly and also have about 40% left to the wear bar. My brakes were flushed in the spring and the condition of the front brakes is excellent

Since you indicated the other day that you will be compelled to keep your 99 high-mileage Maxima for another 8 to 10 years, I suggest you maintain it properly. Or maybe the Doctor will buy you a new one, lol! :smash:

Frank Fontaine and Bobo - you two are cracking me up tonight... Laurel and Hardy - this has been a great day on the .org - first NMex's tranny thread and now this... :nod: :chuckle:

Frank Fontaine is one of my best buddies on the .org. lol! :buttkick: :spin:

never a dull moment on the .org :laugh:

When all else fails, you make it interesting for yourself .... :gotme:

BTW ... Tranny oil is clean, but smells like something out of a nuclear explosion.

hey guys thanks for the comments...as you can see i never really check this forum unless i need to check on my mom's car..i would search..but i'm disable from doing so.

i never heard of a timing chain before tho...i thought all cars had timing belts.

but no one knows the exact specs i should torque down the plugs to? or how far apart the spark plug gap should be?

.044 Gap....

15-20 ft-lbs

Ohhh sh!t :.orgy:

Why is it so difficult to find a tutorial on how to change my spark plugs?:mad: :confused::bawling:(mixed emotions) I have been looking for 2 days now on this website and this isn't the first time I've done this research. My head is starting to hurt..

You take the front cover off...remove 3 coil packs, and then take out the front 3 plugs. For the rear, it's the same, but there is no cover...thats it

save ur self some time and use a 8mm nut driver or socket to remove the bolts that hold the coil packs in dont use a screw driver

6 year old thread.....

Oh the horror....2005

well the neewbs are doing the right thing if they start there own thread the get flamed and told to search so at least there doing that

Wow........

Our cars for a V6 is probley one of the easiest V6 cars to do plugs on............