2002 QX4 Spark Plug Change

[funnyman82]

Hello all,

I am interested in changing my spark plugs by myself. Last time I bought the plugs from the dealer and had my mechanic change them. What is the procedure to do this? What is the difficulty level? Is there anything that should be done at the same time with the spark plugs? I was reading on the forum here that there is a special tool for the spark plug change and that it was located under the rear seats, but all I have is the tire jack, angle iron and the long rod? Are they included with the 2002 QX4?

Thank you!

[SteveTheTech]

Hello all,
I was reading on the forum here that there is a special tool for the spark plug change and that it was located under the rear seats, but all I have is the tire jack, angle iron and the long rod? Are they included with the 2002 QX4?

Hey there,

I have no idea what kind of tool you would be talking about.

There are a few 10mm bolts that need to come out and you might have remove the throttle assembly. It's not too hard. If it is your first time doing this it might take you a little while. If your goal is to save a few bucks on labor use that to buy OE plugs.

Good Luck,

[Chuck Tribolet]

It''s the previous generation (1996-2000) that needs the special tool.

Be patient. Do one plug at a time. Do the US passenger's side, front to rear, then the US driver's side, front to rear. That does it easiest to hardest.

You'll need a spark plug socket with a rubber insert to hold the plug. Long needle-nose pliers to pull the rubber insert off the plug when it stays behind. And about a
six inch extension.

You have pull the coils off the plug. I'd recommend blowing the hole out with compressed air after pulling the coil in case there's any grit down there. The 3.5
is pretty good about that (unlike the 3.0/3.3), but it's still a good idea. Pull plug, put antiseize compound (I use permatex) on the threads, install and torque new
plug, put coil back.

You do know that plugs on the 3.5 are a 105,000 mile item, right? You got a LOT of miles on your 2002 if you are ready for your second set of plugs.

[Densetsu]

The '02 doesn't need the special tool that many people on here allude to. That's for a different engine. The VQ35DE is fairly easy to do.

Chuck pretty much nails it on the head. The only thing I disagree with him on is the change interval. Nissan's recommended interval is 105k miles, but feel free to replace them much sooner. I replaced mine around the 80k mark, and my fuel economy went up significantly (around 10% IIRC). The Iridium plugs are expensive, yes, but they can certainly pay for themselves quickly, especially if you don't wait until the last minute to do them.

[SteveTheTech]

What tool are y'all talking about?

I've been with Nissan 10yrs and don't have this tool...

I know on the 3.3 there is a PITA rear plug but I have always conquered that with a universal joint, and clever positioning.

I always replace the plugs when I get a new vehicle no matter what the odometer says.

One of the things the Pathfinder/Qx4 really likes when it comes to fuel econ improvements is removing the intake plenum and manually cleaning the whole thing. Being so long the intake runners the yield themselves nicely to being saturated with carbon. If you are reaching your first 105 service I would think about pulling the plenum.

[funnyman82]

Ok I must sound like a total noob, but I gotta ask... are there any pics here or on the net somewhere where I can see pics of where the plugs are located exactly. I bought a spark plug change tool kit with the wrench, extension and special socket.
I bought my QX4 with 139,000km on it and now it is about 240,000 on it and I did it at about 160,000km. I just want to increase my fuel efficiency a bit.
Thanks for your help and patience!

[Buzzman]

What tool are y'all talking about?

I've been with Nissan 10yrs and don't have this tool...

Sorry, but how would you not know this after 10 years?

[Buzzman]

Ok I must sound like a total noob, but I gotta ask... are there any pics here or on the net somewhere where I can see pics of where the plugs are located exactly.

Sorry if this comes across as being a jerk, but if you're not sure of even where the plugs are, then maybe you should just leave this job to a trusted mechanic? Just a suggestion.

[funnyman82]

I am asking so that I can learn how to do this. You gotta ask right??

[CanuckQx4]

How mcuh did your plugs cost you??

[Buzzman]

I am asking so that I can learn how to do this. You gotta ask right??

Hey, sorry if I sounded harsh.
You're absolutely right. You have to start somewhere.
(I can still remember doing my first brake job. Scared as hell.
Now it's routine.)
Good luck.

[SteveTheTech]

What tool are y'all talking about?

I've been with Nissan 10yrs and don't have this tool...

Sorry, but how would you not know this after 10 years?

There is no tool... unless you're using something wrong.

There are several reasons people seek information here... either they are trying to save some cash by fixing simple things themselves, learn how certain things work (theory behind the operation ftw) or to make sure they are not being bamboozled by their local jiffy lube.

I am all for owner education...however practicing on your daily driver is always a bad idea.

[alexf20c]

i'm glad i don't take my vehicle to the dealership you work at.


http://www.courtesyparts.com/pathfinder ... _4885.html

99540, 99540+A, 99541 make up the spark plug specialty tool for VG33 R50s.

[SteveTheTech]

First off if your mechanic needs the special tool from your back seat...find a new one. I have invested tens of thousands of dollars on tools over the years and was mostly curious. I stand corrected. I love it when people prove me wrong...honestly.


There is no need to be a d!ck about it man....take a deep breathe and reread before clicking submit. The VG33 and VQ35 are very different creatures, lets try not to confuse people here. But I appreciate the pics.

Honestly I rarely go under the back seats of these old trucks, I try to learn something new every day, and I have today. Thanks. :

[alexf20c]

you were being a d!ck as well, so i suggest you follow your own advice.

There is no tool... unless you're using something wrong.

i never needed this specialty tool; i just use a swivel and extensions. but you are right about being wrong.

[funnyman82]

found this on the forums...spark-plugs-due-for-change-t314373.html

does anyone have a pic of there engine that you could point to the location of the plugs?

thank you!

[SteveTheTech]

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/QX4/2001%20 ... enance.pdf
MA-19

Be careful and good luck.

[G_whizz]

you were being a d!ck as well, so i suggest you follow your own advice.

There is no tool... unless you're using something wrong.

i never needed this specialty tool; i just use a swivel and extensions. but you are right about being wrong.

Unless there are posts missing/deleted...the only person I see being a d!ck here is you alex... at least Steve "manned" up and admitted his mistake.

Your response to that speaks volumes of your character.

Chill the eff out

[alexf20c]

Unless there are posts missing/deleted...the only person I see being a d!ck here is you alex... at least Steve "manned" up and admitted his mistake.

Your response to that speaks volumes of your character.

Chill the eff out

remind me again why i should care what you think...? i'm not here to make e-friends so i'm not going to lose any sleep if you think badly of my character.

[G_whizz]

Because if you continue to be a jerk to staff and members, you can go post on another site, either temporarily or permanently...make your choice and I'll make it happen.

Is that a clear enough answer for you?

[Buzzman]

Honestly I rarely go under the back seats of these old trucks, I try to learn something new every day, and I have today. Thanks. :

We appreciate your honesty. It's never to late to learn something new.
This brings me to an interesting observation (for me anyway):
My dealership has a quick lube, no appointment needed facility. I drive in, get my oil changed and drive out in 15 minutes or less. Prices are competitive.
While there, I usually wander around talking to the boys in the service department (They all know me by now).
I am constantly amazed at how little they really know about my Pathfinder.
I'll bring up some points that I've picked up from this website, and 90% of the time, they don't have a clue what I'm talking about.
Example: the death sway we all talk about on here. They've never heard of it.
Also, I mentioned the grease point/nipple on the drive shaft to them, and asked them to make sure to give it a shot.
They all looked at me like I was nuts. It took a bit of convincing to get them to look for it. Then it's "holy crap, I never knew that was there".
Makes me wonder sometimes about the training process they go through (or lack thereof).
Cheers.

[funnyman82]

"factory trained"

[SteveTheTech]

I am constantly amazed at how little they really know about my Pathfinder.
I'll bring up some points that I've picked up from this website, and 90% of the time, they don't have a clue what I'm talking about.
Example: the death sway we all talk about on here. They've never heard of it.
Also, I mentioned the grease point/nipple on the drive shaft to them, and asked them to make sure to give it a shot.
They all looked at me like I was nuts. It took a bit of convincing to get them to look for it. Then it's "holy crap, I never knew that was there".
Makes me wonder sometimes about the training process they go through (or lack thereof).
Cheers.

The Quick Lube guys are typically noobs and know the new more than the old at this point since they are still most likely hourly employees they are a little wet behind the ears. Their overseers are typically the youngest (newest) service writer. I do not want to hate on anyone and every situation is just a little different.

Death Sway...is an awesome way to put it, I actually lol'd when I saw that. But the reality of it is downright dangerous. I learned this back in the day but I have met people who have worked with these cars since they were rolling off the truck new and they looked at me like I was nuts when I told them the bushing were gone. There is no tsb for that, but then again it is not the most common thing ever. It is possible that the techs have never received a complaint like this, or they misdiagnosed something like a rear end or drive shaft failure.

You have to keep in mind no matter where these guys work to some people it is just a job. Finding guys who actually give half a crap about advancing their own knowledge of the product is something Nissan has tried to force dealers to do, now more than ever. Nissan actually has a very thorough training program but it takes a proactive/motivated technician to complete this.
Every dealer is independently owned and the turnover rate in many markets is pretty high as this is still a numbers game, just like every other business out there. The tides of change are in the air though and the corporate mantra has finally started to change the thinking process on some levels.

There are guys out there who actually like these cars and who make their jobs their careers and their passion then there are guys like alex over there.

[Buzzman]

Steve,
Well said. Agree with everything you wrote, (including the last bit.)
In defense of my dealership, there is one tech that's been there for ten years, and has never worked at any other garage or dealership.
He's really good. Dedicated and knowledgeable. I ask for him whenever I can.
Guys like him are few and far between.