Hello,

I have a 95 Nissan Maxima and I am nearing 100,000 miles and one fuel filter just went bad and I was told by the Nissan Dealership that I should replace my spark plugs, but they wanted 200 for that... which I cant afford.

I have a few questions about checking and changing the spark plugs:

1) Can anyone provide me detailed info on how to change the spark plugs or a online tutorial?
2) What replacement spark plugs should I purchase (which are a good type?)
3) Is there anyway I can check to see if the spark plugs I currently have really need to be replaced? How do you know if they need to be replaced or not?

 

Read the 4th gen how-to sticky, its all in there. In addition, you don't need to start 2 threads for the same issue. Since you are new to the org, you need to read all stickies first, its for your own good...trust me.

 

I'll give you a quick estimate of how much everything will cost you if you don't have any tools.

$40-50 for a standard 60 tool set with a spark plug socket and rachet.
$5 for a 6 inch extention
$30-40 for 6 plat NGK plugs

It takes about 20 min tops for you do the front bank and maybe an hour for the rear bank. This is assuming its your first time. Its very simple and the stickies help a lot. And either way its cheaper if do it yourself you save about 100$ and you gain a mini set of tools plus a good feeling that you did something on the car yourself.

 

Excellent advice I must say. Learn to do it youself.
Also, does Nissan really charge $200 for a spark plug job? Is that not robbery?

 

Yes they really do. It's close to $600 for the 60K tune up at a local dealer.

 

i have owned 3 maximas so far and I have never taken my car to the dealership for anything. I do all my maintenance myself. Having a Haynes or Chilton manual helps alot. Invest $13 on that and read, its been my best investment for this car so far, and it had saved me hundreds of dollars literally. Plus help from the org and the stickies are a major bonus.

 

Why would you pay someone else to change your spark plugs? Anyway, I purchased NGK platnums for $26 on ebay over the summer, so they aren't too expensive, same with the tools... as previously stated. Look in the stickies for directions, or buy a Haynes manual, that will have everything you need.

 

... ...
Take plug out, put new plug in. Pretty simple, repeat 6 times.

 

do i need to purchase a spark plug seal? Also do I need to purchase anything for the spark plugs besides just the spark plugs, like wires or anything?

Would the below spark plug work as good as the factory one?

BOSH Spark Plug Platinum+4 - $4.11 a piece
DENSO - Spark Plug Iridium IK16 - $13.61

 

we dont have spark plug wires all you need are 6 spark plugs ,tools needed, and some common sense. You should use NGK, read the stickies for this information. platinums typically last twice as long as copper ones but platinums WAY more expensive. Its late, and I having problems typing.

 

All is needed is spark plugs and anti-seize, and tools if you don't have them, if you could find spark plug wires for the VQ, by all means buy them.

 

^ most definately buy wires for a VQ, its a must get because they fail so easily =P

But yea. the list i gave you there is all you really need but you can also add.

$15-19 for a haynes manual
$5 for anti-seize

total still comes up near $120 but this me over estimating prices. Honestly changing plugs is almost as easy as changing a tire.

 

Read the How To's... VERY useful for people like us! I also have the manual, so I did my oil change, brakes , etc..