Well, today is my first time changing the spark plugs in the max--and whoaa--did I get a scare a couple of times...whewww.
well, I have to say I do notice the difference between what new plugs can offer and the old plugs

Well, the last plug the one right under the erg piece there and by the pcv valve was the hardest to get out without moving the erg piece, otherwise I couldn't have gotten the coil pack back in. Luckily when I called a mechanic friend, he was able to come and assist me with it.

the spaces in there are pretty tight--well, maybe I am just a newbie at this--but sheeeesh...that was a pain~!!!!

guess I won't have to worry about it for another 30K.

or 60K as suggested by Nissan.

 

I've got 48K on my 97 and pulled the plugs just to see their condition. That last one closest to the driver's a ***** and I gave up on it.

Is it just a matter of disconnecting the EGR and PCV and re-connecting them.

What do I really have to be careful of?

 

You don't know how hard f a time it was--but in essence i is quite simple. You have to take the two bolts holding the egr down and unbotl tose--lift that up, and disconnect the plug too-cause the wires are bit short. Well, lift up the egr piece up out of the vertical screws and put it aside and you will have some room to work with.

If you don't, the way everything in the engine compartment is so tightly fitted, you won't be able to get the spark plug socket and anything else down there. ANd watch out for the coil packs--don't force it. I was getting really irritated and was cursing at the engineers who designed this and thought--why couldn't they give me an inch here!! well--now that is donw--wheww *wipe forehad of sweat*
someone on the board a few weeks ago broke one of the coil packs changing it--and I believe it was at that last chamber you and I had problems with!!

I hope the haynes book says something about this--cause this is a trick of the trade here.

 

Just wait until you change your fuel filter, you'll be able to fill a small book with the curses you'll be uttering.

 

Listen to this,One of my screws on the EGR or something was stripped so I could not remove it .So I defied logic and went in after the spark plug anyways,But I could not get the damn coilpack out and then after really yanking on it in disgust it seperated into 2 pieces so I am like sh*it after just hearing the story about the other guy who just did the same thing and had to buy a whole new set.Anywase then I was able to take the second piece of the coil out luckily I was able to reconnect it easily so it was all good then I did the rest with no problems.Moral of the story is you don't have to remove the EGR thingy but you should.

 

gotta tell you that ERG is right up there in the way--and if it was just an inch behind, then everything would still be crowded, but the angle into the spark plug chamber would fit--but nope--guess those Nissan engineers were slacking when they put this sucker in.

I do notice some better gas consumption with these new plugs. By the way, is it me or does anyone else with an automatic feel that when they step on the gas, the shifting and acceleration is notchy? I just had the tranny (ATF) drained and refilled at a Nissan dealership and it looks very clean.

could it be the throttle cable?

TimW--oh that fuel filter is a horror I have heard--that is why for $25 I leave it to the folks at the dealership.

=)

 

i changed mine a few months ago and if it is not the shiftiest damn fuel filter i have every changed......you will be cursing your neighbors, your friends, anyone that comes within eyesight......get the band aids and peroxide, cause you're gonna need it.....
hehehehe, sorry jim

[Edited by Che on 11-07-2000 at 03:34 AM]

 

uhh ok TIM!! haahaaaahaa
guys guys..his name is Jim.
yeah the fuel filter is a PITA. but with the right tools it shouldn't be that bad. i have a set of pliers that are about a foot long. good enough to reach.
Dan