2002 spark plugs

[bigjimmy]

Thinking about changing my plugs this weekend, any suggestions or feedback?NGK platinum/iridium/V-power.2002 all stock 60,000 miles.

[qship96]

Total waste of money if the car is operating correctly to replace before the factory interval of 105,000 miles,unless you are already "in there" to replace leaking valve cover gaskets.....

If the gaskets are not leaking yet, they will be by around 100,000 miles and thats the time to do both gaskets and plugs together as one job.

Stick with factory recommended spark plugs,as they last at least as long as the valve cover gaskets already

[maxnix]

Well, it might be a little early, but a worthwhile exercise to monitor engine and sparkplug function. You may see evidence that will suggest using a cooler heat range plug. Why don't you pull one from each bank and look at it? Use a torque wrench and high temperature anti-seize lube if you put it back in as the crush washer is used.

Use OEM specified plugs only.

[xerexabante]

How about just changing your transmission fluid and your diferential fluid? Plugs in these last 100k miles.

[Q45man1]

At 60K miles, the engine is just warming up. I agree with Xerexabante, and just change your transmission and differential fluid. Just relax and watch the playoffs games.

[maxnix]

At 60K miles, the engine is just warming up. I agree with Xerexabante, and just change your transmission and differential fluid. Just relax and watch the playoffs games.

Well, according to Q45tech, the greatest danger is galling of the plugs.

Also, AZ and TX folks may find it worthwhile to assess the heat range by inspecting the plug electrode.

[RAP]

Well, according to Q45tech, the greatest danger is galling of the plugs.

What is "GALLING" of the plugs? pray tell.

Jack

[qship96]

What is "GALLING" of the plugs? pray tell.

Jack

For Brian,it means he is scared silly to follow Infiniti`s factory recommended spark plug change interval of 105,000 miles....because,of course,someone told him to be scared.

[maxnix]

or Brian,it means he is scared silly to follow Infiniti`s factory recommended spark plug change interval of 105,000 miles....because,of course,someone told him to be scared.

Yep, Q45tech recommended to look at them at 60K. He has a lot more credibility than anyone else on this board, espcially knee-jerk reactionaries.

Notice you avoid the appropriate heat range issue. Maybe we can remove the "knee" from the label for you.

[qship96]

Yep, Q45tech recommended to look at them at 60K. He has a lot more credibility than anyone else on this board, espcially knee-jerk reactionaries.

Notice you avoid the appropriate heat range issue. Maybe we can remove the "knee" from the label for you.

Dennis says this,Dennis says that......geez brian,you remind me of the pre-pubescent boys here in baltimore idolizing Cal Ripkin...surprised you dont wear a t shirt with Dennis Evans scrolled across the back.College was supposed to teach you to think for yourself,on your feet.

[RAP]

Yep, Q45tech recommended to look at them at 60K. He has a lot more credibility than anyone else on this board, espcially knee-jerk reactionaries.

Notice you avoid the appropriate heat range issue. Maybe we can remove the "knee" from the label for you.

Would this be an issue dodge? Answer the "GALLING" question please.

Also that would be "especially".

[maxnix]

Dennis says this,Dennis says that......geez brian,you remind me of the pre-pubescent boys here in baltimore idolizing Cal Ripkin...surprised you dont wear a t shirt with Dennis Evans scrolled across the back.College was supposed to teach you to think for yourself,on your feet.

Well, it is like this. Dennis has owned a G50 longer thatn anyone else on this board and has seen more of them. Therefore I regard him as an authority as he has provided more data and chronciled first hand experience than anyone else. Ignore if you want, but you are no authority. As Sen Bentsen may I have said, "I know an informed longtime G50 owner who has doecumented and tested varioius equipment configurations on his G50, and you are not he."

Galling occurs when the metal of the sparkpug threads tends to bond with the aluminum heads. Usually this is called a seized (not cross threaded!) plug. In my brief experience, I do not think that Nissan uses a high temperature anti-seize lube when they install the pllugs. Hence Dennis' precaution to remove them for inspection if not replacement at 50K -60K instead of 100K.

The early FGY33 specified 60K change intervals and the later 100K. No one has ever documented any change in the ignition system configuration. across the models of VH41DE Makes me go "Hmmmm.....?"

Most people that ignore Dennis' advice usually regret it and junk their cars, or just live with a vague beater imitation of a Q45 because they never drove one new or in pristine condition, so they don't know what the true performance of the car is.

"Member's standards vary." - Q45tech

[qship96]

Brian, well said about Dennis`s thoughts and beliefs regarding plug change intervals...I am not knocking his opinions,however it is just one mans opinion.......

Nissan,Infiniti,Toyota,Lexus,BMW,Mercedes,GM,Ford,Chrysler,VW and almost EVERY manufacturer has lengthened plug change interval with platinum/iridium plugs recently,BASED off of real world,in the field results of these types of plugs.You are correct with the q41,the motor did not change...just the plug interval was extended based on the above mentioned reasons.

I have personally driven and maintained my q45 for over 187,000 of its 207,000 total miles,and previously drove a g20 from new to over 150,000 miles,and before that a 300zxturbo for over 125,000 miles,and before that a 200sx from new to over 150,000 miles,and before that a 1979 280zx from new till just selling it 2 years ago.....thats the last 29 years and over 750,000 miles of driving nothing but nissans.....a little "real world" experience,wouldnt you agree?

NGK uses a special metal coating on our spark plugs to prevent galling,read about it on their official website....I recently had Byron do my plugs on the Q with 131,000 miles on them....he said they came out easily,and questioned why I thought they may not have....and looked good still-I saved them,and would be happy to post a picture if I only knew how to...By the way,no performance or idle difference whatsoever from old plugs to new plugs...gas mileage has not budged an iota either.

[RAP]

Ah ha ! ! ! SO it's a SIZED PLUG thread, not a "GALLED" plug. NOW we're getting somewhere.

Why DIDN'T you say so in the first place. I was actually quaking in my bedroom slippers worrying about my spark plugs being "GALLED" Oh horrors.



Me thinks that no one able to afford to purchase a NEW Q45 now M will or is wasting any time on these boards.

I consider my car pristine for a eight year old SECONDHAND car with good rubbers.

Jack

[bigjimmy]

How about just changing your transmission fluid and your diferential fluid? Plugs in these last 100k miles.

This is actually what caused me to ask my initial question. I had the transmission flushed and differential fluid changed at the dealer. I went over the 60k mi service list with the service guy. He said the only other thing I might consider was new plugs. I drive 8-10k miles a year, so it would be the only time I ever change them.

P.S. Thanks Maxnix, this was the first time I've seen you answer a question directly without sarcasm.

[xerexabante]

I hope they did your transmission flush that really changed the color of the fluid . I had mine changed from the dealer and the deal was to fush till the color changed. Well they did not flush with a machine. When I got hte car back I checked before I left and still a little dark. So I questioned him and said only drained and refilled, as for the Factory does not call for the power flush. So $160 out the door was a rip off. I went home and flushed after a week. Now mine trans fluid is fresh.

You need to purchase a dip stick to check your fluid ($25). Only use Nissan Matic trans fluid or compatible I found Castor that is compatible.

Just got the car back from the dealer and now I have 2 new manifolds. Both the left and the right are new. the left failed in 07, now the right in 08. Both jobs they did under warrranty 8/80k for emisisons. the manifolds have the Cats attached , so I have new Cats on my car.

[Q45tech]

Why would any car manufacturer care a thing about how well the engine last past 100k when the legal life is at an end.

You can be assurred that Lexus fixed the over designs in the 90-91-92 models just as Nissan did with 97-08.

Indications are that the 2002 is less reliable than the older 4.5 but we will need another 4-5 years to know for sure. Hard to evaluate until 150k/10 years.

My 60k comment applies more to high mileage than the first set of plugs.If you change at 105k be sure to look at 165k and 225k. If the engine lasts to 165k? [Ring wear and setting problems, skinnier bearings].

[maxnix]

I had the transmission flushed and differential fluid changed at the dealer.

P.S. Thanks Maxnix, this was the first time I've seen you answer a question directly without sarcasm.

Only the most progressive dealers have a mechanical ATF exchange machine. A "flush" is really a chemical treatment to loosen the accumulated varnish introduced immediately prior to a mechanical exchange of the ATF fluid. A drain and refill is just that and does not eliminate the old ATF as well as the mechanical exchange machines (Sun and BG in my experience) nor as efficently. Almost none of them drop and clean the pan, inspect the magnetic bolt or the old screen, let alone change it out with a new O ring and screen, gasket, and one time use bolts. Some BG shops won't even do this even when asked. None change the external filter on the later VH45DE. The level of care you recieve is directly correlated to the level of care you specify explicitly.

It is quite telling how the question is asked if the asker has attempted to garner any information on his own by reading manuals, previous posts, etc.

As for sparkplug seizure, while dirt may contribute if installed carelessly, galling is usually a result of no high temperature lubricant being used, and over time and heat cycles, and electrcohemical reaction between the dissimilar metals forms a bond between the plug and the head. A seized plug may be a result of galling, or may not. A galled plug may be only difficult to break torque thus not necessarily seized.

One has to wonder why Nissan changed the interval specification between early and late model FYG33. Perhaps it was because of field reports.