DIY: Spark plug change

[FenixL1P]

it sure was a pain on the passenger's side despite not have the intake tube... that damn wire loom was in the way... gotta set an appointment to take it in now.

[Lucky-G]

subscribed

[jimmyc13]

Bump for a great DIY! Had the picts on pg. 1 printed out w/ the instructions and also watched the Youtube vid's posted in here beforehand. Took me longer than 2 hours, but I also cleaned my engine bay quite a bit since I had all those parts out...was able to clean up & wipe down hoses, Gordgee's grounding wires, covers, intake and tube w/ Simple Green...in dire need of it after the long winter of road salt & sand that made it's way into the engine bay.

Thanks all who contributed to this! You save me a lot of $.

[AARONHL]

Are the NGK LFR5AIX-11 4469 recommended for the VQ35DE? I can get those way cheaper than the NGK PFLR5A-11 plugs the dealer carries.

[jimmyc13]

Originally Posted by AARONHL

Are the NGK LFR5AIX-11 4469 recommended for the VQ35DE? I can get those way cheaper than the NGK PFLR5A-11 plugs the dealer carries.

They do fit the VQ. Here's a link re: those as well as a place to get OEM ones for a good deal as well.

http://g35driver.com/forums/engine-f...your-door.html

[MikeGrote]

great diy

[vstypicals]

Anyone know where I can find a relatively inexpensive torque wrench in inch-lbs? I have a ft-lbs torque wrench from Harbor Freight for $14. I know I can just do 95 in-lbs / 12 = ~8 ft-lbs but my torque wrench goes from 0-80 ft-lbs and it is probably not accurate in the lower range.

[jimmyc13]

Originally Posted by vstypicals

Anyone know where I can find a relatively inexpensive torque wrench in inch-lbs? I have a ft-lbs torque wrench from Harbor Freight for $14. I know I can just do 95 in-lbs / 12 = ~8 ft-lbs but my torque wrench goes from 0-80 ft-lbs and it is probably not accurate in the lower range.

I don't think you need to worry...the 95 in-lbs is for the coil packs (not the plugs), I tightened my coil packs by hand until snug, just don't overtighten. My torque wrench is a 1/2" Craftsman Beam torque wrench from Sears, 0-150 ft-lbs, and for the 20-ft. lbs it worked like a charm.

[vstypicals]

Will a 5/8 spark plug socket work?

[jimmyc13]

Yes, 5/8" works. I had the same ? a few weeks ago and was told it would. I had no issues using mine.

[vstypicals]

Originally Posted by jimmyc13

Yes, 5/8" works. I had the same ? a few weeks ago and was told it would. I had no issues using mine.

Yep. My 5/8" spark plug socket worked fine. The only issue I had was that my spark plug socket was barely "holding" the spark plug. It was slipping very easily. I had to use a magnetic pick-up tool to get the old spark plug out, which was pretty easy. I'll buy a magnetic spark plug socket next.

All in all, it took me 2 hours to finish the whole thing, which included reading the instructions and putting that anti-seize lubricant. I can probably do it in an hour next time.

P.S. My $17 torque wrench from Harbor Freight worked great.

[vstypicals]

Question, I mishandled one of the plugs while I was inserting it back into the cylinder, and it slipped. I didn't drop it onto the floor or anything. It just slit off my fingers and tapped the engine slightly. It probably dropped ~1.5-2" or so. I checked and wiped the electrode and it looked fine. The car runs fine though.

Should I be concerned or am I just being paranoid?

[FenixL1P]

^ paranoid...

[vstypicals]

Originally Posted by FenixL1P

^ paranoid...

Thanks. Didn't know how sensitive spark plugs are.

[jimmyc13]

Originally Posted by vstypicals

Yep. My 5/8" spark plug socket worked fine. The only issue I had was that my spark plug socket was barely "holding" the spark plug. It was slipping very easily. I had to use a magnetic pick-up tool to get the old spark plug out, which was pretty easy. I'll buy a magnetic spark plug socket next.

All in all, it took me 2 hours to finish the whole thing, which included reading the instructions and putting that anti-seize lubricant. I can probably do it in an hour next time.

P.S. My $17 torque wrench from Harbor Freight worked great.

I see you didn't waste any time! Glad to hear it went well.