How many spark plugs are on the 01 SE? I can only locate 3 which is done by taking off the engine cover...I thought there were gonna be 6...if there are 6, could someone tell me where the other 3 are please? I already replaced the 3 I could find with NGK platinum and would like to use the other 3 I bought, if not, I can just store them until I feel like changing again. But since this is a 6 cylinder, shouldnt it have 6 spark plugs, oh well, I dunno...I even consulted the Haynes Manual and it seems to think there are only 3...any help is greatly appreciated.

 

the other 3 are located right behind the engine

 

how do I go about taking those out?

 

ive never done it just know that they are there, there is a old thread with a write up on changing the spark plugs if you look for it

 

Ma i just changed them last night. It will take you like 40 minutes. I started at 7.45 and finish around 8.30. The one on the front are easy, the ones on the back WOW, be careful in not breaking the plugs from your coils, it is really tight on the back and the coils wont help you. I use BOSH platinum 4 and you can feel the difference.

Good luck man

 

I recently changed the plugs in my car. what you do is remove the Ignition Coil, by removing the 10mm bolt that holds it down. Then Unplug the coil for easier removal. Just pull it out, just like the first three that you did. With a Long Extension, (I used two 6" extensions) undo the spark plug.

I used a Magnetic Wand to remove the spark plug from the Cylinder.

Install the New plug in reverse order, and you are set. The NGK Platinum Plugs are a real good set. I paid $9.95 each when I changed mine about two weeks ago.

 

sorry, replied a little late, didnt notice replies.

 

ok, I still cant find the remaining 3...does anyone have a picture as to where they are...I must be blind...unless its under the huge black thing...I just for the life of me cant see where these plugs are...im sorry....a picture would really help, but im not sure anyone has one with the locations circled...it would be a great help...thanx for the replies so far, at least now I know there are truly 6 and not 3 like the Haynes manual says.

 

You CANNOT miss the back plugs. They are not under the "huge black thing" (your variable intake manifold). They are behind it closer to the passenger compartment. Remember this is a "V" 6 motor so there will be 3 at the right top of the V and 3 at the left top of the V (when viewed from the passenger side of the car).

Look at the coil packs on the front plugs and note what they look like when attached to the motor. Then look for those same things on the back of the motor.

I am Shocked that Haynes says there are only 3 plugs - it is a V6 for crying out loud.

I'd suggest you not use Bosch. Experience on this forum is extremely clear that NGK is a must.

 

01SE02SER posted this write up in another spark plug thread. this should be helpful

http://www.nissanx.net/tanman/

 

I have been told that the plugs in my SAAB are used as sensors, and if you use a different plug (non-NGK) you run the risk of changing the feedback the ECU gets from the plugs, and may give you problems.

I imagine that the VQ has a similar story. I guess it is always a good rule of thumb to stick with the brand that the car came with.

 

yep, finally found it...not exactly the same as whats under the cover...but sorta...the 3 in the back actually have connectors on the coil packs...the ones under the cover dont...so when everyone was saying look for the coils, I was looking for black blocks that had nothing on them...boy they are hidden down there...I can see why those are soo hard, I have to wait on a friend because he has a socket that grabs the plugs...and I dont have it...plus I have to figure out a way to unplug the coils...thats gonna be fun thank you all for your help.

 

Not so with the VQ. You can run other brands without a problem, barring that you have the correct gap and temperature type.

 

Glad to hear that you found them. I had to go to Sears and purchase another extension and a Magnetic wand to be able to replace those last three plugs. They are a pain in the Butt.

 

I'd be careful with non-original plugs, here's why. I also own a Lexus ES300 and a while back had the plugs and wires replaced. We used Bosch Platinum plugs and Lexus plug wires. Within 10,000 mi the engine was running like cr@p. I brought it into my repair guy(12 yrs now), confessed I'd blown him off before and asked to give it a look. He told me that the only problem was the Bosch plugs. Apparently the platinum plugs they sell on the aftermarket are pretty bad and have very little platinum at the tip. What happened on my car was that the platinum wore away, and the gap started increasing, before long they started arcing through the side of the plug wire and were actually firing to the block.

We replaced the Bosch with the original equipment (NGK) and put new wires in it and it's been fine since. As background, this guy has always been very good about saving me a buck or two on my cars by recommending non-original stuff where it doesn't make a difference.

 

I would recommend OEM plugs. Platinums and iridium plugs have given many Maxima owners problems.

 

Not trying to be insulting, but I suspect the problem was with your wires and not the plugs. Platinum plugs wear longer than standard (copper core) plugs so it doesn't seem logical that they would been the cause of the problem.

 

I'm not insulted.

If this guy hadn't demonstrated an honest over the last 12 years I'd think that too, as I've used Bosch plugs on many other cars. However, he has noticed that the current Bosch platinum aftermarket plugs have done this on a number of cars he's seen, independent of the plug wires installed. He only works Japanese, German, and Volvo.