Originally Posted by rmeyers

This job wasn't that difficult with basic tools, just tedius. Risk I saw, is more to do with forgetting something during re-assembly and having to tear it down again, so double check everything :-).

A few tips on the 6th Gen when following the DIY guide for the 03. I highly recommend pulling the windshield wiper tray and frame off, to get at manifold backside. Another difference is the EGR tube (I think) which comes into manifold next to TB. Remove nuts on manifold side, then right side bolt at other end, and only loosen (it is hard to get at) the left side. This allows you to swing pipe away from manifold, so you can lift IM straight up.

I pushed on the TB butterfly to get a better look at the soot. Then read I may have to recalibrate since its fly by wire. Not sure I need to do this, but I did get a Check Engine Light on condition (hasn't reset yet) and wondered if its because I played with the TB. Any comments on this, how to resent CEL, appreciated.

Now to plugs. BTW, car was running great before I changed the plugs. I noticed 3 of the 6 plugs were worn to .08 inch gap, twice the spec gap at .04. I'm amazed it ran like that. I put anti seize on the plugs and dielectric grease on contacts, out of habit.

I didn't have torque specs for plugs or other fasteners, but my default has been with alloy, to keep it to 20-25 ft lbs. Thats snug with a rachet, not muscled tight. The right way is to torque everything to spec, of course.

Lots of dirt around coil tops, so cleaned, and lots of compressed air before removing the plug.

Learned quite alot about the upper engine, took me about 6 hours, was very carefull.

Car is smoother through the rev band, so it is feeling like it is pulling stronger. I'm also seeing more torque steer on WOT in 2nd gear above 4K rpm :-) ...remembering thats how it used to drive when newer. BTW, I have the 6 speed stick.

Thanks to the DIY guide, all the comments, gave me confidence to do it myself...saved about $500 in labour (our rates are $120/hr in Ottawa Canada)

Originally Posted by MONTE 01&97 SE

Why did you change your plugs with such low mileage, they last up to 100 to 110k miles.

Originally Posted by NmexMAX

^^^Even though you're super negative on the Maxima, that was very well said I must say.

Originally Posted by KevMaster

I replaced spark plugs in my car and everything went perfect. It took about 4 hours to complete this job. It took 4 hours because there is no way I was able to remove those 2 bolts on back side of manifold until after I removed the plastic panel in front of windshield. May be I was lack of advanced tools to remove them. The manifold gasket was in good shape as you can see in pic 2 however I replaced it according to service manual. Replaced the PCV valve as well. EGR gasket was in good shape so I end-up using the same one. Car is running better with more power and nope this is definitely not a psychological effect. This DIY procedure is not exactly the same for 6th gen maxima but pretty close enough. I did this when car was reading 121k miles and original plugs were not that bad. May be because I always burnt 93 octane from day one, mobil 1 synthetic from 36k miles, and performed seafoam treatment several times. Now all I need is to wash the motor really good.

Originally Posted by KevMaster

I replaced spark plugs in my car and everything went perfect. It took about 4 hours to complete this job. It took 4 hours because there is no way I was able to remove those 2 bolts on back side of manifold until after I removed the plastic panel in front of windshield. May be I was lack of advanced tools to remove them. The manifold gasket was in good shape as you can see in pic 2 however I replaced it according to service manual. Replaced the PCV valve as well. EGR gasket was in good shape so I end-up using the same one. Car is running better with more power and nope this is definitely not a psychological effect. This DIY procedure is not exactly the same for 6th gen maxima but pretty close enough. I did this when car was reading 121k miles and original plugs were not that bad. May be because I always burnt 93 octane from day one, mobil 1 synthetic from 36k miles, and performed seafoam treatment several times. Now all I need is to wash the motor really good.

Originally Posted by KevMaster

After speaking with Greg through emails, he was very happy and allowed me to create a PDF version of spark plug replacement DIY procedure that he wrote and published on internet for Nissan maxima a while back ago. He was more than happy to have this procedure available to as many folks as possible to save expensive dealers bills. This DIY procedure he wrote was for 2002-2003 Nissan Maxima but can be very useful to replace spark plugs in 6th generation maxima as well. I thought this PDF version is easy to print and save in computer for many folks out there. Please use this at your own risk. Please feel free to leave any feedback.


Download Link

Originally Posted by Maximus715

I know this an old topic but I just bought a maxima myself and am a very big DIY fan! From what little research I've done I've seen that when you change the spark plugs you have to recalibrate a few things. One being the idle air volume learn. Is there anyway around this or am I understanding everything completely?

Originally Posted by nsnrider

you don't absolutely have to take off the windshield wiper brackets. it's very tight with it in place but it saves an hour in time. I have done a number of spark plugs on the 3.5, the two bolts are a pain but nothing crazy. I put a drop on anti seize on the threads for the two rear bolts so its easier the second time around. The two connectors by the power steering hose are also a pain, but nothing crazy hard. The job looks intimidating at first, but its pretty self explanatory. good luck.