5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Sppark Plug Replacement... Unfortuanately

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 1, 2006 | 03:39 AM
  #1  
maximaownsyou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 315
Sppark Plug Replacement... Unfortuanately

so im going to start with the dreaded spark plug replacement soon and i was wondering which plugs to buy. i have an 02 and it came with the ngx plat's. obviously im going to stick with the same plugs but what does the 1 step colder/2 steps colder mean? and i even seen a 1 step hotter/2 steps hotter? i wanna buy the best plugs to help make the most off out my car obviously and just wanted to double check before i spent all that money (they are kinda expensive for plugs)
Old Aug 1, 2006 | 04:04 AM
  #2  
AceofSpds's Avatar
wat
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,480
From: Mobile, AL
The steps for going colder and hotter really dont apply to you unless you have majior mods to your car, a turbo, supercharger, or nitrousoxide.
Old Aug 1, 2006 | 11:23 AM
  #3  
AllGo's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 484
Not many would ever go to a hotter heat range unless running some higher octane fuel in a drag racing application, as this "4" range plug would not pull as much heat from the combustion process and lead to higher egt's. A cooler "6" or "7" range plug basically pulls more heat from the combustion chamber to prevent detonation in a forced induction, turbo/SC/N20 situation.

I purchased these plugs below, as a less expensive OEM alternative and after reading about how well the NGK iridium plug works, I have no doubts that it will work just as good if not better than the stock platinums.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6-NGK...QQcmdZViewItem
Old Aug 1, 2006 | 02:56 PM
  #4  
maximaownsyou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 315
nice i like that thanks, since im NA ill stick with the stock heat range but very nice price on those plugs
Old Aug 1, 2006 | 04:48 PM
  #5  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
Originally Posted by maximaownsyou
with the ngx plat's.
NGK > NGX IMO.
Old Aug 1, 2006 | 05:34 PM
  #6  
maximaownsyou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 315
lol yeah sorry the typo bug got me
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 09:45 AM
  #7  
Hardcore's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 54
When is a good time to swap the stock plugs for new ones. My 2001 has 40k miles. Normally I would say its time for a tune-up..... unless the stockers are good for 100k miles. What interval are you guys swapping plugs?
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 09:51 AM
  #8  
MacGarnicle's Avatar
♠♠♠♠♠
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 957
From: Ontario
platinum plugs are rated for 100k.. can't hurt to take one out and look at the wear on it though. make a decision from there
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 09:59 AM
  #9  
bladerunr's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 919
From: Charlotte, NC
Stick with NGK or Denso. Japanese plugs for japanese cars.

EDIT: Sorry, didn't read your post thoroughly.
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 10:12 AM
  #10  
maxspeedse02's Avatar
Thinks he is fast
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 539
From: Orlando, FL
I would def stick with the NGK's call up Dave Burnette 1-888-254-6060 and tell him you are from the org. I got OE NGK's PLFR5A-11's changed them at 52k and they looked like total a$$. The platinums CAN last up to 100k but I would like to see what they look like after that much time. I plan on changing in 25k intervals.
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 11:18 AM
  #11  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
Originally Posted by maxspeedse02
The platinums CAN last up to 100k but I would like to see what they look like after that much time. I plan on changing in 25k intervals.
you buy Pt's an change them every 25k...

Old Aug 9, 2006 | 09:13 PM
  #12  
illlojik's Avatar
I C U
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,307
Originally Posted by AllGo
Not many would ever go to a hotter heat range unless running some higher octane fuel in a drag racing application, as this "4" range plug would not pull as much heat from the combustion process and lead to higher egt's. A cooler "6" or "7" range plug basically pulls more heat from the combustion chamber to prevent detonation in a forced induction, turbo/SC/N20 situation.

I purchased these plugs below, as a less expensive OEM alternative and after reading about how well the NGK iridium plug works, I have no doubts that it will work just as good if not better than the stock platinums.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6-NGK...QQcmdZViewItem

Hey buddy, I'm curious as to how those Plugs are working out for you so far?
I'm at 93k not sure what previous owner maintained. I'm replacing the coils and would liek to throw some new plugs while I'm at it.
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 02:09 AM
  #13  
lalaMAX's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 544
NGK Irdiums!!!
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 04:49 AM
  #14  
AllGo's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 484
hey illlojik,

These NGK Iridiums seem to be doing fine and idle is marginally smoother. Throttle response is pretty much the same and I haven't noticed any improvement in gas mileage so I would suffice to say that the stock platinums were still doing a fine job at my mileage ~65k.

One thing I have to still figure out is when you unplug the e/throttle body on the 3.5L cars, many things have to be reconfigured, something you 00-01's don't have to worry about with your cable/mech TB. I have done the 3 main reset procedures but for some reason the transmission doesn't like to downshift all the way to 1st as easily as it did when coming to a stop.

Its like when you have a manual tranny and you get engine braking when letting off the throttle, that is what my tranny is doing now when coming to a complete stop? The only explanation I have is the ECU/Tranny Computer are still getting some misinformed readings from the TPS?? Maybe I will do the relearn procedures again and see what I get. Anyone else noticed issues when disconnecting the e/throttle?

Thanks.
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 08:20 AM
  #15  
dfownz's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 780
From: Eastern Mississippi
Why does everyone think the spark plugs are so hard to do?

DF
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 08:24 AM
  #16  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
I don't think they are. Whos said 'everyone'
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 08:25 AM
  #17  
Snolife's Avatar
What we have here is a failure to communicate
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,505
Maybe there has been one created in the past and I missed it. It would be nice to have a poll on which plugs most people use.
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 09:33 AM
  #18  
MIKE2K2's Avatar
Custom User Title
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
I Changed my plugs last week-end at 93k. Stock plat's looked O.K. when I pulled them. A little discoloration and increased gap, but what do you expect with 93k miles. Definitely would have gone past 100k.

Put new NGK plat's in, good for another 100k
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 09:51 AM
  #19  
LA02MAX's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,432
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Originally Posted by dfownz
Why does everyone think the spark plugs are so hard to do?

DF
it's not necessarily hard, it's just time consuming as you have to remove the IM to get to the rear bank
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 11:14 AM
  #20  
dfownz's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 780
From: Eastern Mississippi
Originally Posted by LA02MAX
it's not necessarily hard, it's just time consuming as you have to remove the IM to get to the rear bank
You don't have to do such a thing. This needs to end! You can definetly do it no problem without taking off anything other than the coils.

DF
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 11:16 AM
  #21  
LA02MAX's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,432
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Originally Posted by dfownz
You don't have to do such a thing. This needs to end! You can definetly do it no problem without taking off anything other than the coils.

DF
I would love to see you replace the spark plugs on a VQ35 without removing anything but the coil packs...
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 11:28 AM
  #22  
dfownz's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 780
From: Eastern Mississippi
Ahh we speak of different motors.
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 11:30 AM
  #23  
LA02MAX's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,432
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Original poster:


maximaownsyou maximaownsyou is offline
Maxima Fanatic

Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Car: 2002 Black Maxima GLE
Posts: 169
Buyer/Seller Rating: (0)
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 12:21 PM
  #24  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
The 2k2 IM comes off in less than 5 mins....If you have it set-up like me...
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 12:26 PM
  #25  
LA02MAX's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,432
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
The 2k2 IM comes off in less than 5 mins....If you have it set-up like me...
which is? I'm changing my plugs in 4k miles when i reach 60k and this'll basically be my first time doing anything under the hood on the 3.5, so I wanna take it slow
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 12:48 PM
  #26  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
There are 2 bolts out the back of the IM that I have left out for a while because they're ...

My set-up total...

4 bolts, 2 locknuts, 1 vac connection, and 2 electrical plugs..

Do take it slow the 1st time though.
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 12:51 PM
  #27  
LA02MAX's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,432
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
There are 2 bolts out the back of the IM that I have left out for a while because they're ...

My set-up total...

4 bolts, 2 locknuts, 1 vac connection, and 2 electrical plugs..

Do take it slow the 1st time though.
Yeah, i've heard there in a pretty stupid spot...good idea on leaving them out
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 01:46 PM
  #28  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
Eaasierst way is to take the entire unit off, from the TB to the IM, 3 parts total.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TKHanson
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
6
Nov 24, 2018 01:39 AM
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
Jun 6, 2017 02:01 PM
trsandrew
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
17
Apr 8, 2016 06:45 PM
magiconthetire
Audio and Electronics
2
Oct 26, 2015 09:03 PM
trsandrew
Group Deals / Sponsors Forum
2
Oct 25, 2015 02:47 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:39 AM.