Changing spark plugs - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

AZN GTR · 01-12-2002, 08:06 PM

Got a 97 240, and I need spark plugs because the car gets a little bit of delay when starting, and it's got about 27000 miles on it, so it needs a tune up.  Just got a new battery too, but I need to change spark plugs, is it easy or not?  Can someone give me detailed instructions?  I could always get it done, it's just that I am a little short on money right now.  Thanks.

mistert · 01-12-2002, 08:12 PM

its pretty easy, you should only need a ratchet and an extension for spark plugs (you may need an adapter if you have some crazy kind of spark plugs, but i doubt it). you shouldnt really need new plugs at 27k miles unless they fouled early, the factory ones should last alot longer than that.

anyways, go get a haynes service manual for your car, it'll be your best friend when doing basic maintenence and modification on your car

01-12-2002, 08:52 PM

all you need is a 3/8 ratchet and extension with a (dont quote me on this size) 5/16 i beleive someone correct me (or its a 5/8) spark plug socket. take the old ones out pput anti sieze on the new ones and tighten them back up about 3/4 after you have them tight or to get more technically use a torque wrench and see what the spec is.

NoTuchn · 01-12-2002, 10:26 PM

if you stick to the haynes manual, itll have pictures and everything. much easier to read from there than have it explained here. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

01-13-2002, 09:05 AM

I work at Pep Boys, they don't have one for 240, just 200sx, and sentra.  Where can I find one?

AZN GTR · 01-13-2002, 02:42 PM

Ok, first I thought it was the battery, but I got a new energizer one last night, and this morning, it was still having problem starting.  But the thing is, it's only when I leave the car there for a long time and I go to start it that I have problems, but let's say i go buy something and come out of the store and try to start it, it's got no problem at all.  Is it the spark plugs??  Or wires??  It just keeps cranking for a lot time and sometimes it starts, and sometimes it doesn't.

*sykikchimp* · 01-13-2002, 04:26 PM

sound slike you've got cold start problems.  Is the car running any worse?  Are there any other symptoms besides had to crank when cold?

01-13-2002, 05:04 PM

No it dioesn't.  Does it sound like something bad is happening to my car???  Could it just be the spark plugs?

geeaj · 01-13-2002, 05:21 PM

Take your battery and have it tested. It could be that the battery itself is dying out. Another long shot could be that your alternator is starting to go and not charging your battery. You can test this as well, if the battery checks out to be okay.

Start your car, turn on all of your power accessories (radio, lights, AC, etc). Pop up the hood and disconnect the battery. If the car dies, then your alternator is shot.

When your car is running, the alternator is supposed to run all of your accessories and recharge your battery.

Hope this helps.

AZN GTR · 01-13-2002, 07:31 PM

Thanks for that suggestion, I think I will try that.  I just got a new battery last night, so that can't be it, how much would it cost to get a new alternator?
Does anyone know if spark plugs work better when they are warm?  Because I think that's the reason, because I doubt the alternator would be the problem, the car's only got 27k miles on it.

my240likenoother · 01-13-2002, 07:48 PM

fuel filter

AZN GTR · 01-13-2002, 07:56 PM

If it's the fuel filter that's creating the problem, wouldn't the car always have problems starting?  right now, I only have problems starting when I leave the car there for a long time, other times it just starts real quick.  Anyone else thinks it might be the fuel filter???

Now I think about it, it can't be the alternator, because that would also mean I would have problems starting all the time, not just in the morning.

01-12-2002, 08:06 PM	#1
AZN GTR Zilvia Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 216 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Got a 97 240, and I need spark plugs because the car gets a little bit of delay when starting, and it's got about 27000 miles on it, so it needs a tune up.  Just got a new battery too, but I need to change spark plugs, is it easy or not?  Can someone give me detailed instructions?  I could always get it done, it's just that I am a little short on money right now.  Thanks.

01-12-2002, 08:12 PM	#2
mistert Pearl White Mike Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: memphis TN Posts: 908 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	its pretty easy, you should only need a ratchet and an extension for spark plugs (you may need an adapter if you have some crazy kind of spark plugs, but i doubt it). you shouldnt really need new plugs at 27k miles unless they fouled early, the factory ones should last alot longer than that. anyways, go get a haynes service manual for your car, it'll be your best friend when doing basic maintenence and modification on your car

01-12-2002, 08:52 PM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	all you need is a 3/8 ratchet and extension with a (dont quote me on this size) 5/16 i beleive someone correct me (or its a 5/8) spark plug socket. take the old ones out pput anti sieze on the new ones and tighten them back up about 3/4 after you have them tight or to get more technically use a torque wrench and see what the spec is.

01-12-2002, 10:26 PM	#4
NoTuchn Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 126 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	if you stick to the haynes manual, itll have pictures and everything. much easier to read from there than have it explained here. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

01-13-2002, 09:05 AM	#5
Guest Posts: n/a	I work at Pep Boys, they don't have one for 240, just 200sx, and sentra.  Where can I find one?

01-13-2002, 02:42 PM	#6
AZN GTR Zilvia Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 216 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ok, first I thought it was the battery, but I got a new energizer one last night, and this morning, it was still having problem starting.  But the thing is, it's only when I leave the car there for a long time and I go to start it that I have problems, but let's say i go buy something and come out of the store and try to start it, it's got no problem at all.  Is it the spark plugs??  Or wires??  It just keeps cranking for a lot time and sometimes it starts, and sometimes it doesn't.

01-13-2002, 04:26 PM	#7
sykikchimp WOW addicted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the moon Age: 44 Posts: 6,525 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	sound slike you've got cold start problems.  Is the car running any worse?  Are there any other symptoms besides had to crank when cold?

01-13-2002, 05:04 PM	#8
Guest Posts: n/a	No it dioesn't.  Does it sound like something bad is happening to my car???  Could it just be the spark plugs?

01-13-2002, 05:21 PM	#9
geeaj Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Take your battery and have it tested. It could be that the battery itself is dying out. Another long shot could be that your alternator is starting to go and not charging your battery. You can test this as well, if the battery checks out to be okay. Start your car, turn on all of your power accessories (radio, lights, AC, etc). Pop up the hood and disconnect the battery. If the car dies, then your alternator is shot. When your car is running, the alternator is supposed to run all of your accessories and recharge your battery. Hope this helps.

01-13-2002, 07:31 PM	#10
AZN GTR Zilvia Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 216 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for that suggestion, I think I will try that.  I just got a new battery last night, so that can't be it, how much would it cost to get a new alternator? Does anyone know if spark plugs work better when they are warm?  Because I think that's the reason, because I doubt the alternator would be the problem, the car's only got 27k miles on it.

01-13-2002, 07:48 PM	#11
my240likenoother Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,261 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	fuel filter

01-13-2002, 07:56 PM	#12
AZN GTR Zilvia Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 216 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If it's the fuel filter that's creating the problem, wouldn't the car always have problems starting?  right now, I only have problems starting when I leave the car there for a long time, other times it just starts real quick.  Anyone else thinks it might be the fuel filter??? Now I think about it, it can't be the alternator, because that would also mean I would have problems starting all the time, not just in the morning.