Date Registered: 11-2011 Location: Brisbane TOTAL POSTS:5
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spark plug socket size Hi folks,
I find my Xtrail sluggish and I am wanting to check the spark plugs.
The car is a T31 with QR25DE engine. None of my plug sockets fit and SuperCheap don't have any either. (they don't have any spark plugs to fit either) Is there something special about these plugs? What size socket is required?
Also, do the Xtrails come with a factory tool kit? If so, where are they kept?
Cheers
Paul
--- 2010 T31 ST. Petrol. CVT.
Standard vehicle with some minor extras for camping and towing a camper trailer.
Date Registered: 11-2011 Location: Brisbane TOTAL POSTS:5
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Re: spark plug socket size Thanks DogTrail. Interesting term "user transparent". I had a lengthy discussion with the Nissan Service Manager soon after buying the car and I wanted to know how to check the CVT oil. He said I couldn't, that was Nissan's job. I said that left Nissan in an interesting legal position if I cooked it due to low oil on a long drive. He just shrugged either not understanding what I was saying or just didn't care.
I take my car to a mechanic for services but like to know the condition of things so I can advise the mechanic of things he should look at. I'd like to inspect the spark plugs. From what I have read on this forum, the STs came with standard plugs. I now have 50,000k on the clock and no record of the plugs being replaced. As soon as I can find a suitable plug socket I'll have a look.
Cheers
Paul
--- 2010 T31 ST. Petrol. CVT.
Standard vehicle with some minor extras for camping and towing a camper trailer.
Date Registered: 05-2013 Location: Ulverstone, Tas TOTAL POSTS:77
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Re: spark plug socket size Paul,
Just recently took my plugs out for inspection (95k) and used a modified 14mm tube spanner. They were in fantastic condition, and they were NGK iridiums, NOT platinums as specified in the handbook.
--- Phil (X-3105)
Ulverstone, Tas
2009 T31 Srs 2, ST ;Nudge Bar; IPF Driving Lights; Fog Lights;Towbar
Roof Bars;Weathershield; GPS/DVD; Sony Speakers; K&N air filter; LED parkers; Cree reverse lights;Cobalt ally rims; Gas hood struts
Date Registered: 11-2011 Location: Brisbane TOTAL POSTS:5
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Re: spark plug socket size Thanks Uphil. 14mm and you need to make your own removal tool. Who would have thunk it. Nissan are working hard to stop people from looking after their own cars.
I'll look about and see if I can buy/make my own.
Cheers
Paul
Date Registered: 05-2013 Location: Ulverstone, Tas TOTAL POSTS:77
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Re: spark plug socket size Thanks Paul... Aren't you glad it's so easy... NGK 14mm, Denso 16mm, but yeah, a bike socket seems about right.
Thanks for that!
--- Phil (X-3105)
Ulverstone, Tas
2009 T31 Srs 2, ST ;Nudge Bar; IPF Driving Lights; Fog Lights;Towbar
Roof Bars;Weathershield; GPS/DVD; Sony Speakers; K&N air filter; LED parkers; Cree reverse lights;Cobalt ally rims; Gas hood struts
Re: Not sure what you mean by "Nissan are working hard to stop people from look after their own cars" as the plugs are the same size as another nissan I have, and toyota dating back to the late 80's.
You only need a standard spark plug removal tool that comes with most socket sets.
I should also add it is the same on pretty much every OHC and DOHC engine.
Re: spark plug socket size If we're talking about the NGK DILKAR6A-11 Laser Iridium plugs especially manufactured by NGK for the T-31 2.5 petrol and not immediately released on the market for retail sale and requiring a non common removal tool then Murray11 is making a justifiable point. However I doubt that the modern automotive engineer really has that motive in mind, nor for that matter would the practice of non -standard engineering be specific to Nissan. I recall the huge difficulty I had when Peugeot changed from an electronically available CD service manual in the late 90's to an online authorised dealer only pin protected service manual system with prohibitive costs for anyone other than official operators.
I don't know where you got your "standard" 14mm spark plug removal tool from frozenpod but I have never seen one like this and I have been using standard and non-standard spark plug removal tools for many years. Maybe the motorcycle mechanics spark plug socket set has them as a standard inclusion.
Check out the plug specs here.
http://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=9716 Frankly I cannot see the advantage of this plug over the earlier NGK Iridium standard body plugs which lasted forever. Could be something to do with valve shape and size in the new engine and the need for a smaller spark plug bore - that is if we want to give Nissan engineers the benefit of the doubt.
Cheers - Davo
Date Registered: 05-2013 Location: Ulverstone, Tas TOTAL POSTS:77
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Re: spark plug socket size Don't get too worked up about it guys. My last car a GMH Dunnydoor, had absolutely no information in the owners handbook about doing an oil and filter change... just a recommendation that you take it to the dealer at $120/hour.
I did one of course and eventually found the filter (cartridge type, and not a screw on) on one side of the engine, hidden under a plastic shroud !
That's the future..
--- Phil (X-3105)
Ulverstone, Tas
2009 T31 Srs 2, ST ;Nudge Bar; IPF Driving Lights; Fog Lights;Towbar
Roof Bars;Weathershield; GPS/DVD; Sony Speakers; K&N air filter; LED parkers; Cree reverse lights;Cobalt ally rims; Gas hood struts