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Nissan Murano Spark Plugs Replacement Guide
How to check or change the spark plugs in a 3rd generation 2015 to 2018 Nissan Murano with the VQ35DE engine.

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2017 Murano 3.5L V6 Engine
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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Remove Second Top Bolt
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and perhaps also the revised 2019 & 2020 model years) Nissan Murano SUV in checking or changing the spark plugs in the VQ35DE 3.5 liter V6 engine.

Owners of other Nissan and Infiniti vehicles such as the Rogue, Pathfinder, Armada, Versa, Sentra, Altima, Maxima, Leaf, 370Z, GT-R, Frontier, Titan, NV200, Q50, Q70, Q60, QX30, QX50, QX60, QX70 and QX80 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The original "OEM" spark plugs are the Denso FXE22HR11 iridium tipped.

A few other compatible replacement spark plugs with their part numbers are as follows: NGK 1406 DILKAR7B11, Champion 9412 and Nissan B2401-EW61J-NW.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 10mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratchet, a 14mm spark plug socket, a set of wobble extension bars, a universal swivel joint, a 3/8" drive ratchet and a tube of dielectric grease.



 
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Two Bolts Removed
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Two Front Bolts
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Loosen Counterclockwise
Since this Murano only has about 30,000 miles on the odometer and I just wanted to check the condition of the spark plugs, I only removed the three on the front side of the engine. (The service interval in the owner's manual for replacing the OEM spark plugs is 105,000 miles.)

To more easily access the spark plugs on the rear of the engine, most people recommend removing the upper intake manifold. You could just partially remove it and slide it forward or rotate it to the right in order to access the rear plugs.

Removing the manifold may also require replacing the plenum gasket which is Nissan part number 14032-JA10A (or 14032JA10A0).

To remove the plastic engine cover, first loosen the two bolts on the top with a 10mm socket, a short extension bar and a 1/4" drive ratchet by turning them in the counterclockwise direction.

Set the two top bolts aside in a safe place.

Then loosen the two captured bolts on the lower front edge of the engine cover by turning them in the counterclockwise direction.

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Second Front Bolt
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Pull Off Engine Cover
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Engine Cover Removed
Carefully pull off the plastic engine cover and set it aside in a safe place.
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Front Three Ignition Coils
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Rear of Engine - Intake Manifold
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Coils Under Manifold
Start by checking or replacing the spark plugs on the front of the engine that are very easy to access.
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Ignition Coil
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Push In Release Tab
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Pull Off Electrical Connector
Push in the release tab on the grey plastic electrical connector before pulling it straight off the ignition coil housing.
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Loosen Counterclockwise
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10mm Bolt Removed
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Lift Out Ignition Coil
Loosen the single bolt that secures the ignition coil to the engine by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Pull the ignition coil straight out of the spark plug well.

If you have trouble removing the ignition coil, try gently rotating it back and forth while pulling it straight out.

The rubber dust boot may be stuck or "frozen" to the top of the old spark plug.

Set the ignition coil aside in a safe place.

If you suspect that you have a faulty ignition coil, the replacement part number is Denso 673-4029.

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Spark Plug Well
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Spark Plug Socket & Ratchet
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Loosen Counterclockwise
Attach the 14mm spark plug socket to an extension bar and the 3/8" drive ratchet.

Loosen the old spark plug by turning it in the counterclockwise direction.

Once the old spark plug is loose, disconnect the ratchet from the extension bar.

Spin out the old spark plug the rest of the way by hand.



 

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Lift Out Old Spark Plug
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Inspect Old Spark Plug
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Spin In New Spark Plug
Carefully lift the old spark plug out of the well and detach it from the socket.

If the electrode end of the old spark plug looks ashy white, the plugs may have been exposed to high temperatures due to engine overheating or they may be the incorrect heat range for your driving conditions or environment.

On the other hand, if the old spark plug is grey or covered in dark black soot, the engine may be burning oil and should be examined by a professional mechanic.

The new spark plugs should be gapped to 0.044". If you have a spark plug gap gauge, check the new plugs.

I recommend buying the same OEM spark plugs which are the iridium tipped Denso FXE22HR11 which should easily last at least another 100,000 miles.

Push the new spark plug into the socket and lower it down into the well.

Spin in the new spark plug a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent them from becoming cross threaded.

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Tighten Clockwise
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Apply Dielectric Grease
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Re-Insert Ignition Coil
Attach the 3/8" drive ratchet to the extension bar and tighten the spark plug to just past hand tight.

If you have a torque wrench, the service manual specification is 18 lb-ft of torque.

If you are re-installing the old spark plug, tighten it to just a small fraction of a turn past finger tight.

If you are installing a brand new spark plug, tighten it to just past the point when you feel the new crush washer collapse.

Do not over tighten the spark plug to prevent from cracking the ceramic body or stripping the aluminum threads.

Double check that the new spark plug is tight before moving on to the next steps.

Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the opening at the bottom of the rubber dust boot on the ignition coil.

The dielectric grease will help keep out moisture and debris to ensure a reliable electrical connection.

Lower the ignition coil down into the spark plug well.

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Rotate - Spread Grease
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Spin In 10mm Bolt
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Tighten Clockwise
Rotate the ignition coil back and forth a few times to help spread the dielectric grease.

Line up the hole in the ignition coil assembly with the hole on the top of the engine.

Spin in the 10mm bolt a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

Then tighten the bolt with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the bolt to prevent from cracking the plastic ignition coil housing.

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Push On Power Plug
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Manifold Bolts
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Push the power plug straight on to the ignition coil until it clicks securely into place.

The upper intake manifold is held in place by a series of 10mm bolts.

You will need to disconnect at least some of the vacuum hoses in order to move the manifold out of the way and access the three back spark plugs.

I recommend taking your time, snapping some pictures with your cell phone and labeling or marking the vacuum hoses with colored tape or zip ties to make re-assembly easier.

Be sure to have a wobble extension bar set and a universal swivel joint to help you more easily reach the rear spark plugs.

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Bracket Bolt
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Replace Engine Cover
Lower the engine cover back down into place.
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Tighten Clockwise
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Tighten Top Bolts
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Engine Cover Replaced
Tighten the two silver bolts on the front edge of the cover in the clockwise direction with a 10mm socket and a ratchet until they are snug.

Then replace the two black metal bolts on the top of the engine cover by tightening them in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a ratchet until they are snug.

Start the engine and listen closely for any strange sounds that might indicate a problem such as a loose spark plug or a disconnected ignition coil power plug.

Be sure to record the spark plug change in your vehicle's service records.

For more, please check out all of my 2015-2018 Nissan Murano DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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