| Changed Spark Plugs, rough idle now?! - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| kayin |
Good evening, I know internet diagnosis is not the best, but till I can get a hold of a mechanic tomorrow, this and google is the best I got. So here's my situation:
I have a 1987 Nissan Sentra, spark plugs needed to be changed. So I went to Canadian Tire, wen to the counter, asked for plugs and wires for my car, clerk went to the back, got me what I needed.
Changed the spark plugs, one at a time, all four. Turned on the car after each plug to make sure it works, seemed fine. Once all 4 were done, turned it on, took it for a brief drive around the block. When I was reversing out of my driveway, noticed the car seemed like it didn't really want to move, almost as if when you're about to stall in a manual car (it is an auto Sentra). Also noticed that when i was at a stop, with the car still in "drive" it would idle very roughly, the rpm would go from 500-800, 500-800 etc. When i drove, it was kinda jerky as well.
Thought maybe its just the wires needed changing too. So I changed the wires, nothing.
So i'm assuming it is the spark plugs?:dunno: This is the first time i've changed them, but I don't really see where I could've gone wrong, except maybe they gave me the wrong spark plugs?
Summary: Car seems like its surgine, rpm bar goes from 500-800 at idle, and feels jerky when driving.....What might be my problem? |
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| onestepback |
| Are they gapped properly? :dunno: |
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| kayin |
| see thats what i was thinking too....but them i had a previous topic before i went out and bough the plugs about what the gap is, but then it seemed like they should come set for your specific car..at least thats what i gathered from the 2 responses I got:confused: |
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| mikeylikesit |
spark plugs dont come pre-gapped.
i'd say pull em out and gap them to the correct spec for the car. |
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| kayin |
damns......
yeah, guess thats what i'll do tomorrow morning
Thanks for the responses! |
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| onestepback |
| It might also be that one plug isn't in all the way. Try torquing them up when you put them back after re-gapping them.:dunno: |
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| kayin |
hmm..torquing them would be a good idea, didn't even think of that.
Anyone know the torque specs for spark plugs? |
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| anschutz_93 |
| you should be able to find all your spec's (gap, type of plug, torque) out on google... Its likely under 20ft-lbs so unless you have a small torque wrench just tighten it up with a smaller ratchet until its fairly tight and takes some effort to move. |
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| Ayeso |
quote:
Originally posted by mikeylikesit
spark plugs dont come pre-gapped.
i'd say pull em out and gap them to the correct spec for the car.
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| Ayeso |
quote:
Originally posted by mikeylikesit
spark plugs dont come pre-gapped.
i'd say pull em out and gap them to the correct spec for the car.
Then why does NGK sell pre gapped plugs?
Stock B16 gap is .044
NGK -11 denotes gapping of 0.44 maybe not for all cars but some, honda for example, come pre gapped. |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by kayin
hmm..torquing them would be a good idea, didn't even think of that.
Anyone know the torque specs for spark plugs?
It would vary from car to car.
Have you checked to ensure you have the wires on properly? If your plugs are gapped right, then the only other thing you've really touched are the wires.... |
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| aarrgghh |
| I had the same problem on my S13, the bocsh (sp?) plugs from crappytire don't work well, even gapped. The dealer was using the NKG's one step out from the factory recommended temp in Canada as they found they worked better (can't remember up or down though sorry). |
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| kayin |
quote:
Originally posted by TrevorK
Have you checked to ensure you have the wires on properly? If your plugs are gapped right, then the only other thing you've really touched are the wires....
I'm pretty sure they're in, i pushed till i felt like a popping, which I assumed what the plugs making the connection with the wire?:dunno:
glad to hear that i'm not the only one thats had trouble with crappy tire spark plugs hahah, i'm trying to arrange for a mechanic friend to check it out for me, its way too cold outside right now for me to go and play around with them again:mad: |
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| kayin |
Wohoo! pulled the plugs out, bought a spark plug gapper at crappy tire for $2, gapped each plug to 1.1 (thanks b18c5crx) and now the car runs great!
Thanks to everyone for their contributions! Much appreciated!:thumbup: :beer: |
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