Replaced the spark plugs today. Had lots of trouble getting one of them loose. but all done =)
So nasty looking eh? There were lots of oil around 2 of the plugs. Normal? Also my 2 of my wires are very loose fitting on the plugs. Time to replace!
Thanks for all your help. Love all these DIY!!!! =)

 

I'm a proud new owner of a Velocity Red! I couldn't wait to get her up on my lift! I was done with all the maintenance in no time! The plugs were quite easy to get to! Try a Nissan x-terra v6 or a MistuBITCHi Montero! The only annoying thing was to change the air filter. But I got it in anyway, plus a little help from my nephew (6 years old).
This car is simply marvelous!

btw RX8Lovah: my plugs looked just like yours, but were dry and as I was double checking you really have to make sure you push the plug wire on!

 

Went to replace my plugs and once I got under the car I found one wire totally dangling. Argh! Wouldn't snap on to the new plug either, so it's time for new wires too.

 

just did this + oil change. my pulgs were mangled lols... new one's in and my car's purrin haha. good diy by the way... should of read this first? oh well jobs done! =)

 

p.s the oil filter is a major bitch to remove.... a real bitch.. lols

 

Use the fram filters with the grippy stuff (or an equivalent.) Makes things soo much easier. Also be gentle when screwing the new one on.
I think the first time I replaced my filter it involved stabbing it with a screwdriver to get it off.

 

yea me and a friend had to do something similar... but our muscles did the trick, and we didn't twist it on too much.. lols

 

I find using the K&N oil filter is the easiest.
It has a one inch nut welded on the top.
So my 1 inch wrench works great with less hassle and mess.

 

yea, that's what i have on now, i think the oem filter was on before, and on tight at that lols. but hopefully i wont have too much trouble changing it next time now that i have the k7n on =)

 

They also make sockets and wrenches for removing the oil filter. So if you do your own oil changes, it may be worth the investment if you plan on keeping your 8 for a few years.

 

Be glad you don't have to change the filter on a Series II. It would make you appreciate your Series I filter...

 

lols oh really?? whats the difference? 0_o

Yea i allrdy have some socket's/wrenches, and an oil filter plier thingy lols, but this is the first time that i have an K&N oil filter on so yea haha..

 

Plugs and wires changed and my 8's purring like a kitten.

I had a noise that I don't think I mentioned -- I had a ticking sound, almost like a time bomb, whose speed went up and down with RPMs. I think it must have been my dangling plug wire arcing to either the plug or the frame. That noise is now gone with new plugs and wires that actually stay on.

 

I attempted to do this today and I could not get any of the plugs to budge... grr

ideas?

 

bigger hammer?

 

what a PITA......

got them all changed and car still worked...yea.

The holes for the trailing plugs where really rusty inside. All the plugs looked like RX8Lovah's above. Also think I might have a crack on the outside of the front rotor housing right by the trailing plug hole.

edit:
Also... you don't need to get under the car at all to change them (least I didn't) I just jacked up the drivers side, removed the wheel and got them all. I had some wobble head extensions.

 

I've tried a few combinations of extensions, wobble extensions, and swivel joints. I've concluded that too much wobble isn't necessarily a good thing for "feel" (during both removal and replacement) and a swivel joint is not necessary.

My preferred combination is a 3" extension up front (that's connected to the spark plug socket) and a 10" wobble extension that's connected to the ratchet. To connect the 2 extensions, I prefer using a 3/8" to 3/8" wobble connector. This combination provides just enough angling for clearance while maintaining a "direct" feel without too much "looseness."

 

i just jack her up, talk off the drivers side wheel, lay on the ground or work from the wheel well and hit each spark plug one at a time. it's just a biotch when their tight as *****.... but alil elbow grease will do the trick. lols.

 

update as of feb. 2011, there doesnt seem to be ngk plugs for 09s at sparkplugs.com, you guys know anything about the other brand listed??

 

I found using a long extension helped for front leading and trailing plugs.

 

Use the 2004,5,6,7,8...they are ALL the same for ALL series RX-8's...R3, 2004-2010,2011.

There is No change...

 

thanks, makes sense, didnt look for the S1 when I had a look at the site

 

going to be making good use of this thread soon. checked with my local dealer that i go to frequently due to the stack of free oil change coupons i have and figured i would just get my plugs changed there since it would be nice of me to buy something every once and a while and they quoted my $441 just to change the plugs (parts & labor) completely insane! that being said, i just bought some plugs & coils and plan on doing it myself to save about $250!

 

Here's another "thank you" to the folks who started this thread. I read through this thread first, and did the plug change last weekend. It went without a hitch, since I was prepared with a universal joint and my two longest extensions. The second photo shows how useful those tools are .

I was surprised how ugly the old plugs looked! This is with less than 30K on the odometer. The car definitely idles more smoothly now.

 

I'm changing my plugs this weekend and I'm going to try and index them. Anyone has done this and knows the correct direction for indexing? Does it have to point towards the intake similar to piston engines or is it different because the chambers are sealed and sparks are not open to intake?

I guess I want to know if anyone has played with indexing and has possibly dynoed the result.