Spark Plug replacement

[prginocx]

I've been putting it off, because they are waaaaay down under that intake manifold.

 

Is there any way to make this job easier ? extensions ? flex-couplers ? What do I have to take off ? Tell me this is easier than what I see already which caused me to move it down the priority list.

 

'95 Pathy 3.0L V6 Manual. With AC.

[Gotrek]

I've been putting it off, because they are waaaaay down under that intake manifold.

 

Is there any way to make this job easier ? extensions ? flex-couplers ? What do I have to take off ? Tell me this is easier than what I see already which caused me to move it down the priority list.

 

'95 Pathy 3.0L V6 Manual. With AC.

Took me 30 mins my first time at it. Long wobble extentions and had to use a ujoint coupler for the back one.

 

I made the mistake of not warming the engine up first which made some of the plugs hard to remove but not the worse I've ever seen.

[Simon]

Check under your rear seat cushions for the tool kit.......some Pathy's have them, some don't.....makes spark plug replacement MUCH easier.....luckily, mine has it!!

[Animal]

Took me 30 mins my first time at it. Long wobble extentions and had to use a ujoint coupler for the back one.

 

I made the mistake of not warming the engine up first which made some of the plugs hard to remove but not the worse I've ever seen.

It is not a mistake to not warm the engine before removing the spark plugs; aluminum heads should be done cold.

[prginocx]

What kind of special tool is in this famous "tool kit" that would help me ? I'm thinking of one of those wire/spring/wound flexible extensions for the rubber mold socket. Good idea ?

 

My other car had aluminum heads, I thought they were supposed to be done cold. What is the official word ?

[Simon]

The tools in the kit just look like pipes.....but they fit right over the spark plugs, and allow you to get at the infamous #6 Plug without too much hassle.

[Animal]

What kind of special tool is in this famous "tool kit" that would help me ? I'm thinking of one of those wire/spring/wound flexible extensions for the rubber mold socket. Good idea ?

 

My other car had aluminum heads, I thought they were supposed to be done cold. What is the official word ?

I've always just used a combination of extension and swivel (optional with the right length extension).

 

I've never seen anything "official" about changing plugs in aluminum heads, but mechanics know to do it cold. In addition to the metal being softer when warm, I've heard cases where the plug would not thread back in hole due to distortion during cooling. The additional benefit is you don't burn yourself. Also, clean around the old plugs before removing (blow out with compressed air) and a little anti-seize on the threads of the new plugs will help the next change go a little easier.

[Earth1]

The nice thing about the Nissan plug sockets are the little rubber rings that grabs the plug when you pull it out. I found one in a junkyard.

[k9sar]

The nice thing about the Nissan plug sockets are the little rubber rings that grabs the plug when you pull it out. I found one in a junkyard.

amen to that! I love those things (except when the grip between the rubber and the plug is greater than the grip between the extension and the socket)