Spark Plug change labor hours

[money042]

Anyone have a general idea the amount a hours a mechanic would bill for spark plug change for the FX45 V8? I understand rates are different depending on area, but hours should be similar. Is that a fair assumption?

 

[Exotich]

Good local Indy shop will charge 1 hour. Dealer will charge 2 + hours. Good luck!

 

[matrixx860]

Thats a simple task you can tackle yourself and save money at the same time.

 

[la_fx35]

^:plus1: I would do it myself in a heartbeat.

 

[Dracula]

if your FX is over 70k miles i would be aware that you may need change one or both valve covers. They start leaking into the spark plugs. So get your fingers crossed if your covers are still good.

 

[money042]

if your FX is over 70k miles i would be aware that you may need change one or both valve covers. They start leaking into the spark plugs. So get your fingers crossed if your covers are still good.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm just a hair over 100k.

To confirm, you talking about the value cover gaskets?

---------- Post added at 01:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 AM ----------

Thats a simple task you can tackle yourself and save money at the same time.

^:plus1: I would do it myself in a heartbeat.

I used to love working on my own cars. Now that I have a family (wife and two young kids), job, and going to school part-time, all free time pretty much goes to family time. But if it's as easy at y'all saying, I'll look into it. Thanks for the feedback.

On that note, I've install lowering springs, cold-air intake, coilovers, changed brake fluid, pads, and rotors, and such... where does changing spark plugs rank in the time and difficulty level among DIY work?

 

[Exotich]

If you've installed lowering springs by yourself, then plugs will be a cake walk for you. There is a DIY thread on g35driver, pretty much the same thing!

 

[TurTLeG]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm just a hair over 100k.

To confirm, you talking about the value cover gaskets?

---------- Post added at 01:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 AM ----------





I used to love working on my own cars. Now that I have a family (wife and two young kids), job, and going to school part-time, all free time pretty much goes to family time. But if it's as easy at y'all saying, I'll look into it. Thanks for the feedback.

On that note, I've install lowering springs, cold-air intake, coilovers, changed brake fluid, pads, and rotors, and such... where does changing spark plugs rank in the time and difficulty level among DIY work?

Spark plugs on a longitudinal vq35 is cake. Transaxle vq35 is a little more work since plenum removal is needed.

Good thing for u is, the fx has it mounted the long way. I would rate it between cold air intake and brake pads.

Handful of bolts to remove, some extentions and spark plug socket. Takes about an hour. Everything is on top.

 

[matrixx860]

Spark plugs on a longitudinal vq35 is cake. Transaxle vq35 is a little more work since plenum removal is needed.

Good thing for u is, the fx has it mounted the long way. I would rate it between cold air intake and brake pads.

Handful of bolts to remove, some extentions and spark plug socket. Takes about an hour. Everything is on top.

By transaxle vg35de do you mean awd because my 35 is awd and I've done the spark plugs more time than I can count and never had to remove the plenum... curious now as to what your referring to.

 

[TurTLeG]

By transaxle vg35de do you mean awd because my 35 is awd and I've done the spark plugs more time than I can count and never had to remove the plenum... curious now as to what your referring to.

Transaxle vq35de is a fwd maxima, altima, quest.

To rear the bank is blocked.

This is a fwd plenum

The left bank is almost completely blocked off. When installed in a car one will be standing looking at it from the right. Plenum take an extra 10-20 minutes to pull but it goes from easy entry level job to somewhat a little harder. With throttle body removal, intake leaks and coolant lines.

 

[matrixx860]

Oh yes you are right my brother had to do his maxima in the same way. Didnt know that engine was referred to as a vq35de as well. Always good to learn something new.

 

[money042]

Spark plugs on a longitudinal vq35 is cake. Transaxle vq35 is a little more work since plenum removal is needed.

Good thing for u is, the fx has it mounted the long way. I would rate it between cold air intake and brake pads.

Handful of bolts to remove, some extentions and spark plug socket. Takes about an hour. Everything is on top.

Good info.

I'm assuming the 45 engine is in the same configuration, I don't think I've ever taken the engine cover off to look.

I read somewhere else mention the "spark plug tube seal" along with the value cover gasket be changed. I've found the value cover gasket, but were can I get the tube seals? And is it necessary?

 

[la_fx35]

There are no "spark plug tube seal" that I'm aware of as I have changed so many VQ and VK spark plugs. Simple, remove engine cover, move some wires and clips out of the way, loosen a hand of 10 mm bolts and unplug the coil pack from plug, and replace plug.

 

[ryus]

I have changed plugs on a VQ37 and it was actually quite easy. The hardest part, which was not really even that difficult, was getting the right angle while using socket extensions to get to the coil packs. Make sure to use a spark plug socket to help hold the plug in place without dropping.

Infiniti uses 14mm for the plugs, which is not the common size since most socket sets come with a 5/8 spark plug socket, follow this guide to make a 14mm one http://g35driver.com/forums/v36-engine-exhaust-drivetrain-fi/404761-dyi-14-mm-spark-plug-socket.html

Also I purchased my plugs from www.rockauto.com for Denso OEM pre-gapped plugs.


Additional tips:
- Apply a small amount of antiseize to the plug threads
- If you don't have a torque wrench, while tightening, once you feel the plug make contact with the block, turn an additional 3/4 of a full turn, that should be good.

 

[TurTLeG]

^I've seen some plugs come with some antisieze on them already on them. Forget which plug and what line tho, but it has to be denso or ngk.

 

[iDrive]

I know this is a stupid question but i dont know much about cars except driving it haha, why and when do we have to change spark plugs?

 

[payyourtoll]

I know this is a stupid question but i dont know much about cars except driving it haha, why and when do we have to change spark plugs?

Not a stupid q bud. Change the plugs every 30k to 60k at most. Some brands last longer than others. When plugs foul they offer less spark to ignite your engines combustion. Some see a small increase in mpg and throttle response with a fresh set. Should be part of your cars routine maintenance plan.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[TurTLeG]

Not a stupid q bud. Change the plugs every 30k to 60k at most. Some brands last longer than others. When plugs foul they offer less spark to ignite your engines combustion. Some see a small increase in mpg and throttle response with a fresh set. Should be part of your cars routine maintenance plan.


Sent from my iPhone

While this isn't wrong info, I feel it's not 100% correct.

Spark plugs like everything wear down. But this 30k stuff only applies to copper plugs. Back in the day these were the best, they currently are the hotter burning plugs but wear down at 30k. I used in turbo cars.

But these normal platinum, double platinum and iridium plugs will last well over 100k. Nissan wants u to replace them at 105k. Which is decent, I think they can easily last 150k+ because I've pulled plugs with that many miles and no issues with the plugs. The issue u get is what the plugs sitting in the heads for so long, they might seize together causing issues.

we have great car ignition systems now that we don't need to address the spark plugs as often. Hell, odds are you coilpack will go back before your plug will.

 

[payyourtoll]

While this isn't wrong info, I feel it's not 100% correct.

Spark plugs like everything wear down. But this 30k stuff only applies to copper plugs. Back in the day these were the best, they currently are the hotter burning plugs but wear down at 30k. I used in turbo cars.

But these normal platinum, double platinum and iridium plugs will last well over 100k. Nissan wants u to replace them at 105k. Which is decent, I think they can easily last 150k+ because I've pulled plugs with that many miles and no issues with the plugs. The issue u get is what the plugs sitting in the heads for so long, they might seize together causing issues.

we have great car ignition systems now that we don't need to address the spark plugs as often. Hell, odds are you coilpack will go back before your plug will.

well then there you go.

 

[stupkat]

for spark plugs at dealer i got hit 2hrs, had it done maybe month ago.

they hit me another hr for compression test, flush injector lines and injector testing too when had it done at same time

---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 PM ----------

While this isn't wrong info, I feel it's not 100% correct.

Spark plugs like everything wear down. But this 30k stuff only applies to copper plugs. Back in the day these were the best, they currently are the hotter burning plugs but wear down at 30k. I used in turbo cars.

But these normal platinum, double platinum and iridium plugs will last well over 100k. Nissan wants u to replace them at 105k. Which is decent, I think they can easily last 150k+ because I've pulled plugs with that many miles and no issues with the plugs. The issue u get is what the plugs sitting in the heads for so long, they might seize together causing issues.

we have great car ignition systems now that we don't need to address the spark plugs as often. Hell, odds are you coilpack will go back before your plug will.

dealer told me not to have iridiums in my FX. i have 2003. swapped all plugs out for recommended nissan plugs