andrei3333

Hi all, long time member here but havent been on the site in a long time.

Car is a 2007 Nissan Murano SE (VQ35DE) @ 181,000KM

Just wondering how long can i keep the original spark plugs in?

I know they are supposed to be changed at 168,000KM but i feel and see no difference in the way the car performs. I know this service will cost me about $400 to get done at a reputable shop and right now is not the best time to spend this kind of money for me. I pulled

Also, i see in the service manual Nissan recommends 7500mi oil change intervals. I am running on the bigger OEM filter with Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30, does this sound OK for this interval? (car does burn some oil and i add about a litle every 5,000KM or so).

Thanks and sorry if this is answered somewhere here already.

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

I would just change them out for some more NGK platinums as soon as I could.

4,000-5,000 miles is typical between oil changes with full synthetic; how that converts in km, I'm not sure off the top of my head.

I'm glad you stayed with Nissan, and just know that we want you to work on your own car if you can.

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

^^ I just reread your post and noticed you did say miles.
Googled it because I thought I was seeing things, and it turns out newer cars can go 7500 miles no worries.

Good times.

andrei3333

Thanks for the reply,

I just saw i hit poat midsentence. I meant to add that i did pull the three front plugs last year and they looked fine. So you suggest i get the plugs changed out right away?

I willl stick to my oci at 12,000km (7500mi)

NIKV69

Plugs should be done every 100,000 miles. No matter how good engine is running the plugs will have normal wear and need to be replaced. Use same plugs Nissan put in at the factory.

Synthetic oil can be a longer drain than mineral oil. At least 7000 miles. Use Mobil 1 or Castrol Edge. If you want to pay you can go 10,000 with Am-Soil just change filter halfway though interval.

tosheto

iTrader: (5)

Change the plugs. They are not too expensive and not too hard to change. The car will run better and save some fuel.

andrei3333

Its expensive to change the plugs. I was quoted $385+13% tax here in Toronto. Thats for oem lazer platinumsand the pcv valve. Gasket is steel and is reusable. So thats why i asked.

I already change the oil at 7500mi intervals, nikv69, please see my original post.

Thanks.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

Change your plugs as soon as u can. Modern computerized cars can compensate for tired plugs and u don't feel it. Other parts of the car, like the ignition coils, work harder, reducing their lifespan.

Also, even though your plugs looked fine, how did they look compared to a new one?

The job looks to be expensive because you probably have to remove the intake manifold. You should take advantage and replace any exposed parts like the manifold gaskets, because once things are back together, you wont have to change those platinum spark plugs again until the next 100,000 miles. In your case that would be when your odometer hits 342,000 KM.

andrei3333

Sounds like im going to go ahead and get the plugs changed out;

Dealer is all over the place on their recommendations but the break down is like this:

3 huors labour = $354
Lazer Plat plug = $17.85/EA (x6 = $107.10)
Steel Gasket = $53.54
PCV Valve = $16.41/EA

All this plus 13% tax and it comes out to $600 even.

Anything else to replace while there? throttle body clean and relearn?

Dealer told me they dont take the TB off for this somehow LOL eventhoug the FSM tells you to do it...so they charge 3 hours labor by the book and then go ahead and dont work by the book and take less time to do it but charge you the same, this makes sense to anyone?

NIKV69

Not sure what the book says on how many hours but the collector has to come off. I did mine myself. They are knocking you over the head for the parts. Auto stores charge $11 each for OEM plugs for our engine. Gasket can probably be reused but I never reuse gaskets I got mine from Nissanpartzone for cheaper. PCV same.

Any other place will probably charge you close to that because it's labor intensive but IMO plugs have to be done every 100k. I do mine every 90K.

KevMaster

Follow this thread and you can do it by yourself. It's not that hard just make sure you have enough time in the world in bright sunny day unless you have your own heated garage.

http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...ement-diy.html

andrei3333

Hey KevMaster, since i drive a Murano i need to also remove the wiper blades and the plastic cover over the wiper blade motor...not fun so i am going to get a reputable shop to do this unfortunately.

tosheto

iTrader: (5)

When I changed the plugs on my VQ35, I purchased them for 50-60 bucks. I did the work myself. For plugs that will last 100k it was not too expensive, but I see how it can be an expensive repair if you do it at the dealer. I have done the PCV valve too. $3.99 and 5 minutes of work.

acercomp71

You don't have to mess with platinum plugs more than once every 100K. Install OEM grade. OEM's are NGK brand, but don't sweat it, any major brand platinum plug will do just fine, just make sure it's platinum plug. You can pick up all 6 for about 60 bucks on ebay with no tax and no shipping.
And don't forget to change valve cover gaskets and manifold gasket since you are already there with manifold off.

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

I disagree with this.
NGK platinums or iridium and that's all I would recommend IMO.

andrei3333

So there is another gasket aside from the one on the manifold? I guess on the throttle body/intake?

I am planning to use dealer plugs. I looked online (autopartsway.ca) and the cost was the same as the dealer.

NIKV69

I agree, only replace with exactly Nissan put in. Don't even change the heat range.

Valve cover gaskets do not need to replaced. There is a big gasket under the collector and tiny one that comes off the side pipe.

andrei3333

So here is the parts list and some more questions;

Gasket 1 - $7.41/EA
http://www.autopartsway.ca/PartDetai.../pagenum1/tabS

Gasket 2 - $22.01
http://www.autopartsway.ca/PartDetai.../pagenum1/tabS

Are these two gaskets steel? should i just get the more expensive, but right ones from Nissan?

Also, the PCV valve has a rubber grommet, shuold i get that replaced as well?

Thanks.

acercomp71

Valve cover gaskets tend to leak over time. You don't have to change them, but it is highly recommended since you already have manifold off to prevent aforementioned leaks in the future and taking manifold off again. There is also O2 sensor that is very difficult to access otherwise, change O2 as well.

Plugs.. go with NGK if you really want, and it is actually recommended going with a "colder" plug if you hear some ping on acceleration.

Careful with what you read on these forum, a lot of newbies and wanna-be experts just can't stop typing.

NIKV69

Newbie? Like telling someone to put colder plugs? Very bad advice. Stick to the plug that Nissan put in. They did that for a reason. Can you post this reco about colder plugs from Nissan?

KevMaster

I agree.....if you nervous about removing wiper blades or the plastic cover then please seek professional to do this job.

andrei3333

Got the car back from the shop last night and wow what a difference! Car is way more responsive, starts better after sitting in -20C degree weather all night, smoother and more powerful.

The OEM plugs were definitely worn out as the gap grew huge, no oil on them so thats great (mechanic noted that oil consumption could have been caused by leaking seals at the plugs but it wasnt). Replaced the PCV valve with its grommet at the same time, UIM gasket, air filter, Castrol Syntec with Titanium 5W-30 and OEM filter (Larger version) with drain plug washer. Glad i got this done and worth the money as i used all oem parts. Even did an emissions test as i needed it for registration...

My PCV valve was clogged so i hope this either fixes or lowers the oil consumtion, it wasnt disasterous but the car did burn oil.

People, replace the PCV valve any time you do the plugs!!! Thanks for the posts...

Kryogen

I did mine a while ago, quite a hassle to remove all that stuff on the engine, but it works, and I should be good for a while. Did it myself, only cost the plugs, like 60$, and a pvc...

andrei3333

Just an FYI, replace the PCV valve people! my Murano virtually stopped burning oil after doing all this!!!!