The time has come for me to change my spark plugs. Ive done a ton of reading on here in older threads and read the tutorials, so me and my buddy decided it was a job we should be able to do. Im going to run the OEM NGK's that it recomends in the owners manual. I just have one question...I know the intake manifold needs to come off and the gasket replaced but every parts store I call keeps trying to sell me a set of 3, from what I understand I only need one...Right? and also do I need to use any RTV sealant or anything like that on the gasket when I replace it....tried searching couldnt really find an answer. thanks guys.

 

You might as well replace your rear valve cover gasket (since they tend to leak) and get the NWP spacers while your "in" there...it's more money but ive yet to hear a bad review about them (the spacers)...I know that doesnt answer your question, just saying...

 

I have brand new OEM plugs and gasket for sale

 

They are probably selling you an "intake manifold gasket set" as per their computer screen. This would include the upper intake manifold gasket and the 2 lower intake manifold gaskets. You dont need these 2 as you already know.

At the auto parts store it might be listed as "plenum gasket".

 

Call your local Nissan dealer (parts department) and ask if they use RTV on the valve cover when replacing the gasket. I do not think they do and you do not need it for the plenum gasket

 

Selling everything, PM if interested

 

Was just about to post those pics...
You couldn't have looked too much, I have a thread from a few months ago with a pic of the intake manifold gasket including part # and a few pics of random parts of the job. On a 2002 SE.

Either way, real easy job.. Nice to do for peace of mind.

 

Lol, those are plugs and gasket I'm selling.
I'm trying to make a sale and help out with parts numbers at the same time

 

For sure... Nothing makes finding the parts easier than when someone posts a pic of the item including the part number.

That is how I ordered my PCV valve through Nissan, because I saw a pic here with the PN on it.

It helps a lot.

 

And the PN helps you find out if the part works for other gens and vehicles which is great for some.

 

I'm going to be doing the plugs in the near future too, I wish I had seen you were selling the whole deal, but I saw that it wasn't necessary to replace the gasket, as long as its in good condition.

I'm doing the NWP spacers at the same time, like Rhyno02 said, since I'm already "in there". Only question I have, I've never heard anything about the rear valve cover gasket. Going to have to research that.

 

Thanks for the help everyone. I just hope this project goes smoothly, im also replacing my muffler so itll be a big weekend for the Max.
BrooklynRussian, I really appreciate the offer but I had already ordered the plugs from a parts store when I made the post, I just have to get the gasket now, I managed to find one parts store that actually had the single gasket and the price on it was like ten bucks, so im just gonna snag that.
I would love to get the NWP spacers and I know replacing the rear valve cover gasket is a good idea, its not leaking and im a little tight on money and just looking to do tune-up for the time being. hopefully in the near future ill get the spacers and the block-off plate will be a definite. Thanks again everybody.

 

do spacers while yr in there....the job it self is not too hard but who wants to go in there more then they have to...the spacers r fairly cheap and make good power..

 

Yeah, +1 on doing the spacer while you're at it. You won't regret it!

 

ok what is a nwp spacer?

 

Search. There is a ton of info that'll explain them in detail.

 

http://www.nwpengineering.com/Phenolic_Spacers.html

Hope that helps!

 

I just received my spacers just waiting on the plugs and will have to stop in at the dealer and pick up a rear valve cover as I also want to upgrade it to the 04 version suppose to be more durable than the 03 version not to mention it is cheaper than the 03 version in cost. Along with this upgrade it is also time for me to replace my worn out lower ball joints and end links with some nice new moog parts, also replace my bushings on the control arms & FSB as the steering is a bit loose. So like you my Max is going to have a few busy days once all the parts arrive.

 

No problem, remembered I had an extra gasket laying around and a set of plugs so thought I might offer.

Good luck with all the mods and work.
Btw what muffler are you gonna install?

 

thank you for the link

 

I'm installing a Walker QuietFlow SS. From what I read Walker makes a decent product. I wanted a Cattman catback system, but as I said before im on a budget, the Walker is stainless steel and has a lifetime warranty...and its pretty reasonably priced, just makes sense to go with that one.

 

^Oh ok, I was on a budget also and went with the Tsudo N1 instead of the Greddy Evo.
Never heard a maxima with any Walker exhaust stuff , post up some vids of it after install

 

So as I said before... it was gonna be a big weekend for the Max. changed my spark plugs, replaced my muffler, oil change.
The spark plug job actually went much smoother than I thought it would. From what I read and heard from people was that it was a royal pain in the a**, It took about 45 minutes for me and my buddy to do, and everything worked fine.
The next job was the muffler replacement. My old one had split down the side and the insides were coming out of it. I installed a Walker QuietFlow SS, the old one was a pain to remove due to rusty flange bolts, but a cutting wheel took care of that real quick. The new muffler is very quiet...just like the name implies, I was hoping for some kind of cool sound but guess not. Overall not a bad muffler though.
Lastly an oil change. My car is running fantastic. it hasnt ran this smooth since I bought it. The plugs were the original ones and it has 120K. I also realized these cars really arent that bad to work on if you keep your head on straight and just pay attention to where the sensors and vacuum lines go. Next weekend its detail time...

 

you honestly dont need to replace the intake manifold gasket, they are re-useable. as long as everything is torqued to spec u wont have a problem, just save urself that $40

 

Crusher that maybe true but why chance it?

 

its not really a chance, there are mulitple people on this site(including me) who just pull there manifolds all day and just reuse that gasket. Its not a crush gasket, so it can be reused. ur not suppose to but most of us are cheap bastards anyway.

 

Before my spacers, I never replaced my gasket and I pulled that thing at least a half dozen times if not more. So I agree with Crusher.

 

Yea from what I read it was kind of both sided. Some people said it was good to replace it others said it wasnt, so I just went ahead and did it anyways. I didnt get the gasket at the stealership, they wanted $42 for it, so I just got one from a parts store for like $10, My buddy works at a parts store and hooks me up. Better safe than sorry I guess.

 

^you did the right thing. You really dont have to replace it on the 3.5 if it's all still in 1 piece. I've re-used the same gasket on the 3.5 intake manifold more times than I can count and i've never had a vacum leak. But it's always better to be safe than sorry.

 

Maximus you changed your plugs in 45 min, that is fast compare to more then two hours when i did mine. I regret wish i had changed rear valve cover too.

 

Yea Im really not making it up...there was also two people working on it, and I printed off intructions and had them right in front of me. I was worried about doing the plugs, but everything just kind of came together. Getting the old muffler off when I replaced my muffler was much more of a pain.

 

I changed my plugs and should have ordered a new valve cover, rear driver side was full of oil.
Well looks like I'm pulling the manifold next week too when the 04 valve cover and gasket come in.

 

45 minutes, 2 people, that's 1.5 hours total, good deal.

 

I was changing the spark plugs, I found the one plug on the in the rear section on the driver side was full of oil. Has any one idea or part number for the spark plug tube seals.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...kes-again.html

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ement-how.html

 

took mine off a couple of times they are good gaskets!!