1995-2001 Nissan Maxima: Spark plug replacement

How to remove and replace the spark plugs/coil packs on a 4th/5th gen Maxima.
This is an updated video to replace the one from a few years ago that was completely washed out and didn't really cover the subject as well as I would have liked.
Tools required are a 8mm socket (or phillips head screwdriver), 5/8" plug socket, extensions, 4mm allen key/bit socket for the front coil cover bolts, and a 12mm socket for the EVAP CPVCV (if so equipped).

[@jamartinez1999]

I just finished replacing the plugs on my '98 Maxima. Without your video, I wouldn't have even tried! Thanks a ton!

[@Odin31b]

Thanks for the gap info.. That attention to detail is huge since no other video provided that.

[@bench175]

Thanks again for your Maxima videos. I was able to change plugs yesterday. I think we should stick to at least the G-Powers ($3.19ea) because the service manual says platinum tip plugs, and the V powers are nickel. The OE are actually NGK Laser Platinum, but they are too expensive ($10.69ea). Also, tips for others: gap all the plugs before you start, be very careful when removing the ignition coil screws so they don't drop, and the evap purge volume control valve is very easy to unbolt so just do it and you life will be a lot easier with the last spark plug.

[@markrichards8670]

You ROCK brother. Thanks. Your video helped 1000* I had only one problem. The boot on the Coil pack for #5 either was off, or came off. IN THE FREAKIN BOTTOM!! of the sparkplug oriface. I had to rig a long phillips bit with a six inch coarse thread deck screw, taped to the long phillips bit, and w 90* Drill slowly screw into the rubber patr, and ever so slowly lift it out. New coil pack time. Five minute job.... 1.75 hrs!! Gotta love it. Thanks again.

[@jasongrimes4131]

Pretty awesome video man. Thanks! You even listed the tools in the description, which is totally "pro" of you. One minor quibble: you speak a bit fast, and I had a hard time hearing some stuff, but that's what the rewind button is for. Thanks again, Jason

[@boredmder]

That's pretty much why in most of my videos I try to let the video do the speaking for me, and annotate the important stuff later. Thanks.

[@jasongrimes4131]

well the video was certainly spot on. I just meant, that some things, like your discussion of spark plugs I had to rewind. Glad I did! Thanks again

[@timduewell2742]

Awesome video, very well done, thanks for making and sharing. This gives me the confidence to do it myself, big help in naming the types of tools needed. Thanks again....... Peace out!

[@dfields9511]

I guess when the plugs are in like that makes it more difficult for a plug to get ejected. That happened to me on a 1977 Celica I alway wondered where the plugs were on my maxima. Thanks

[@boredmder]

Yes, it's just about the same for the 5th gen (00-01). IIRC the DE-K only uses one bolt to hold down each coil instead of two, but otherwise it should be a near identical procedure.

[@boredmder]

@mizter6 Factory schedule lists plugs as 60k maintenance. Otherwise, a plug change can help with a rough idle, poor fuel economy, and some other symptoms.

[@molonaabe]

Good video, much better than getting ripped off by a so called mechanic, the independent shops want $160 just for labor !!!

[@boredmder]

Does it have issues idling as well? The first thing I'll do for a stalling when coming to a stop issue is clean the IACV and throttle body, and properly set base idle.

[@boredmder]

Nope, no military service here, but I certainly appreciate those who do.

[@boredmder]

@bkgovardhan2000 Yes, just a cheap small tripod. The front bank shots were shot with the tripod kind of jammed into place on the radiator support, bumper, and I think the top of the fan shroud. The rear bank was shot from a similar location and also the right strut tower.

[@boredmder]

Aftermarket coils tend to throw a P1320. I would recommend OE, even if used.

[@StudKinq]

hey... I really enjoy your videos... they have really helped me alot and they are a major money saving tool. I thank God for you and youtube. I had a question, when changing spark plugs is it highly recommended to replace coil packs at the same time as well?

[@boredmder]

Not unless you have a coil problem, no. They're not a maintenance item, just something replaced as they fail (unless you have a '99 with OE coils, in which case I'd consider them all trash).

[@boredmder]

@1stPlayL I don't have any plans to replace the PS pump, though I'd probably do a video on R&R if it wasn't such a PITA. Like I said about the water pump, it's not a difficult job, it's just the cramped space and not being able to see what you're doing that makes it take a while. No real tips here though, haven't had one of those off in the car yet.

[@shaggylocs232]

I love you man you just save 100 bucks

[@jimfergerson]

Awesome! Another Jeep 4.0 guy thanks you.

[@boredmder]

Yes, aftermarket coils quite frequently will cause a P1320 code.

[@l31007]

Really great video. Appreciate it. You've given me courage to do it myself and save some money. Did you remove the car hood to shoot this?

[@AHLive215]

Just pick up a 4th gen. great video,help me out... since i'm a do it your self-er.

[@caveman492]

hey man, my 97 max with 215xxx is showing a p1320 and p0305 code. any idea what those two combined might be? im mechanically inclined but ive heard so many issues with these cars. I love my car but heard these motors are notorious for coil pack and injector issues

[@OriginalBernieBro]

Hey my 98' maxima seems to require that the entire intake manifold must be removed to get spark plug in cyc number ONE. Is this the case or is there a special tool for it? I've changed the others no problem.

[@georgnbre]

@boredmder. Thanks homie for making/sharing this video. Saved me hundreds of dollars. Am now subscribed to your channel. #Respect

[@DJ_Knite]

Coilpack #5 I took it out but the boot is stuck, do you know how to remove the boot from around the plug. I had problems taking it out to the point where I just said leave it in there. Also I have a misfire in cylinder 2, I switched the coilpacks from cylinder 4 to cylinder 2. Now I have a code saying cylinder 2 misfire. What would be the problem, is it the injector or is it a short in the wiring.

[@patrickakigbe3751]

Thank you for the vid very helpful!

[@boredmder]

@ridoshi2117 Indeed, I forgot about the 99-01 having those connectors. What a PITA.

[@wallstthug]

My 99 maxima skips after i step on the gas when im stopped at a red light now the check engine soon light came on , i hope is the coils

[@mathieuclerte5252]

Heap thanks for that video !

[@thetruword6068]

Thank you you really save me some money

[@bkgovardhan]

Nicely done. Thank you. Are you using a tripod to take the video? just wondering where you placed the camcorder with out blocking what you are doing.

[@boredmder]

I would start off with cleaning the throttle body and IACV.

[@brianc1050]

great video. my question is when i was changing my front value cover gasket one of the coil packs arm (the long stick on coil pack) i think you said # 6 broke. Can you just purchase that one piece that fits over spark plug?.. also what is ratchet size you used to get spark plug out?

[@boredmder]

Brian C Plugs are 5/8" or 16mm. Yes, you can get just the coil pack boot, check for Beck/Arnley part number 175-1021 (~$30), or Carquest part number 35-7041 (~$7) at your local parts store.

[@brianc1050]

thanks for fast response. autozone mention I should use bosch dbl platimun OEM spark plugs, but you recommend the ones in the video?. also torque on spark plugs should be? Does it matter if i purchase a 1/2 or 3/8" torque wrench?. I will also be doing the manifold gasket and back value cover gasket. looks ok to do. auto place wanted $500+ to do.

[@boredmder]

Brian C I wouldn't ever use Bosch plugs in a VQ. NGKs only, really. Even the FSM only mentions NGK. The plug torque is 14-22 ft/lbs, so you'd really need a 3/8" torque wrench.

[@boredmder]

Unless they're damaged, there'd be no reason to.

[@jacekjabu7375]

Thank you!

[@malcolminthemiddle23]

Very helpful! !

[@mizter6]

how do you know when to replace the spark plugs?

[@boredmder]

@kapri11212 For the boot, long needle nose pliers generally work well. If not, you can get it out piece by piece with a pick. For the misfire, It could be a bad plug, bad injector, bad wiring to either the coil pack or the injector, or a mechanical problem. It could also conceivably be a CKPS or CPS issue, though for it to affect only one cylinder is unlikely.

[@toasttoast2735]

I got my socket stuck in my spark plug hole how do i get it out ?

[@boredmder]

Your best bet is a magnet or long needle nose pliers.

[@caolmstead]

Great Video and great help. Thank you !

[@clgray3]

Great video thanks!

[@2288cambies]

hey man i was wondering what kind of drill you using? looks like it ll make things easier on my part lol just wonder thanx for the vid was a lot of help man i appreciate it

[@boredmder]

Joseph Johnson That's a Snap On CT4410 cordless impact. Older, but extremely useful. Not worth the price if you're just doing stuff at home (can get something much cheaper that works just as well online), but reliable as all hell when using it all day every day.

[@boredmder]

1.1 mm ~= .043 in VQ gap spec is 1-1.1 mm, or 39-43 thou.

[@boredmder]

No hood removal, just some tricky placement of the tripod (which is why I couldn't get the entire front bank in one view).

[@1stPlayL]

You appear to be the 1997 Maxima master. I have performed many of the same tasks on my Maxima as you have. I have taken notice to your thorough videos, great work. I have a challenge for you. Have you ever replaced your power steering pump? I am about to tackle this job and wanted to see if you have completed this. I would like to use one of your videos as intel.

[@streetbean456]

Hey man should you replace the connectors or wires ?

[@Stratus41298]

I'm looking at the G-Power for my '98. The fitment notes on amazon mention .044 for the gap, though amazon says these fit my car. "NGK (7090) BKR5EGP" Is this accurate or am I still looking for 1.1 like you said in your video?

[@Maxitikos]

Does one need to use Nissan coils or can one buy cheaper ones?

[@boredmder]

They're bad about the coils, especially on '99s. That's likely your problem.

[@justintaketa946]

On just setting here which ing your video and u say 2 4.3 are in front for the cylinders

[@boredmder]

Justin Taketa Front/left bank is 2/4/6, rear/right bank is 1/3/5

[@justintaketa946]

What the injector layout the some or what

[@boredmder]

Justin Taketa Yes, it's the same.

[@justintaketa946]

Thanks.

[@noejimenez3467]

Thanx I change the mecanic tell mi 468$ for only change omg. Is i easy i can nao

[@KevinCrowley]

Great video! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

were u ever in the military, something about your voice tells me you were lol, idk why

[@boredmder]

Most likely a failed cylinder 5 coil.

[@hypertuch]

maxima is one of the worst cars in engine comlexity, fuel consumption, computer issues..The worst thing is to repair anything u need alot of work...worst choice is nissan...but thanks for this great video.

[@boredmder]

+hypertuch You may be referring to the newer models, as the A32 is quite easy to work on. 33mpg highway, never a 'computer issue', 350k miles+ and still going strong. And worst car in engine complexity? There are dozens of other engines that are incredibly more complex than the VQ, and they certainly weren't on Wards 10 best engines list for 12 continuous years like the VQ was. Now if you were to make the engine complexity, fuel mileage, and 'reparing anything needing a lot of work' argument against my RX-8, I'd definitely agree with you.

[@hypertuch]

Thanks for the advice. I very much admire the RX8 beautiful car. but to have that much problems? well U seem to know alot about cars, I suggest you modify Ur RX8 into electric. The accelaration will be more than we may have dreamt off..There are many EV kits available in US n Canada..it is so sad that we all accept combustion engine while electric is far simpler. please look a Bedini & Tesla motors, if u can make one, I will buy from you...they really work free energy...cheers