🔧 Murano - Spark Plug Replacement

Your Murano has six iridium spark plugs. The front three are accessible, but replacing the rear three requires removing the upper intake manifold, also called the intake plenum.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-4 hours

Normal replacement interval: Approximately 105,000 miles (169,000 km).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine become completely cold before removing the spark plugs.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before unplugging the electronic throttle body.
• ⚠️ Cover the exposed intake ports immediately. A dropped nut or debris can cause severe engine damage.
• ⚠️ Never force or pry open the electronic throttle plate.
• ⚠️ Start every spark plug by hand to prevent cylinder-head thread damage.
• ⚠️ Install the spark plugs dry. Anti-seize changes the tightening force and can damage the threads.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 8mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm thin-wall spark plug socket
• 1/4-inch-drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch-drive ratchet
• 3-inch extension
• 6-inch extension
• 10-inch extension
• 3/8-inch-drive universal joint
• Inch-pound torque wrench rated 40-200 in-lbs
• Foot-pound torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• Phillips No. 2 screwdriver
• Hose-clamp pliers
• Plastic trim removal tool
• Compressed-air blow gun with regulated air supply
• Magnetic pickup tool
• Masking tape and permanent marker
• Clean shop towels
• Nitrile mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Iridium spark plugs, FXE22HR11 specification or exact equivalent - Qty: 6
• Upper intake manifold collector gasket set - Qty: 1
• Electronic throttle-body gasket - Qty: 1

The specified plug gap is 1.1mm (0.043 inch). New iridium plugs should arrive pre-gapped; do not bend or press against the delicate center electrode.

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📋 Park your Murano on level ground, select Park, apply the parking brake, and let the engine cool completely.
• 📋 Photograph the hose, bracket, and connector locations before disassembly.
• 📋 Label disconnected hoses and connectors with masking tape and a permanent marker.
• 📋 Switch the ignition off and keep the intelligent key away from the vehicle.
• 📋 Use a 10mm socket to disconnect the negative battery terminal. Wait at least three minutes before disconnecting the throttle body.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the engine cover

• Use a plastic trim removal tool to release any retainers, then lift the engine cover straight upward.
• Place it away from the work area.

Step 2: Remove the air-intake duct

• Use an 8mm socket or Phillips No. 2 screwdriver to loosen the intake-hose clamps.
• Use hose-clamp pliers to release the attached breather-hose clamp.
• Unplug the mass-airflow sensor by hand only if its wiring prevents removal. Do not touch the sensor element.
• Remove the intake duct and resonator assembly.

Step 3: Disconnect the manifold hoses and wiring

• Use masking tape and a permanent marker to label the vacuum, EVAP, and crankcase-ventilation hoses.
• Use hose-clamp pliers to release the clamps. Twist each hose gently before pulling it free.
• Release the electrical connectors by pressing their locking tabs by hand.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the wiring and hose brackets attached to the upper intake manifold.

Step 4: Remove the throttle body

• Disconnect the throttle-body electrical connector by hand.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3-inch extension to remove its four mounting bolts.
• Move the throttle body aside with its coolant hoses connected if there is enough room.
• If necessary, use hose-clamp pliers to disconnect the coolant hoses and use clean shop towels to catch the small amount of coolant.
• Remove and discard the throttle-body gasket. Do not force the throttle plate open.

Step 5: Remove the upper intake manifold

• Use a 12mm socket, extensions, and universal joint to remove the support-bracket and manifold fasteners.
• Check around the entire manifold for any remaining hose, connector, or bracket.
• Lift off the manifold and remove the old collector gaskets.
• Immediately cover all exposed intake ports with clean shop towels.
• Count every towel before reassembly.

Step 6: Remove all six ignition coils

• An ignition coil supplies high voltage to one spark plug.
• Press each connector lock by hand and unplug the six coils.
• Use a 10mm socket and suitable extension to remove each coil bolt.
• Twist each coil gently and pull it straight out.
• Use masking tape and a permanent marker to keep the coils in cylinder order.

Step 7: Clean the spark-plug wells

• Put on safety glasses.
• Use a compressed-air blow gun with regulated air supply to remove dirt from each well before loosening a plug.
• If oil is present, absorb it with clean shop towels. Oil in a well can indicate a leaking valve-cover tube seal.

Step 8: Remove the old spark plugs

• Use a 14mm thin-wall spark plug socket, 10-inch extension, and 3/8-inch-drive ratchet to loosen each plug counterclockwise.
• Remove each plug slowly and keep it matched with its cylinder for inspection.
• If a plug becomes tight, turn it slightly clockwise and then loosen it again. Do not force it.

Step 9: Install the new spark plugs

• Inspect each new plug for a cracked insulator or damaged electrode.
• Place one plug in the 14mm thin-wall spark plug socket.
• Use only the 10-inch extension to turn the plug clockwise by hand until fully seated.
• If it does not turn easily, remove it and start again.
• Use a foot-pound torque wrench, 10-inch extension, and 14mm thin-wall spark plug socket to tighten each plug to 19.6 Nm (14 ft-lbs).
• Do not apply anti-seize or lubricant to the threads.

Step 10: Reinstall the ignition coils

• Inspect each coil boot for cracking, burning, or oil contamination.
• Push every coil straight down until fully seated on its plug.
• Use a 10mm socket to start each coil bolt by hand.
• Use an inch-pound torque wrench and 10mm socket to tighten each bolt to 7 Nm (62 in-lbs).
• Reconnect all six electrical connectors until their locks click.

Step 11: Reinstall the upper intake manifold

• Remove and count all shop towels covering the intake ports.
• Use clean shop towels to wipe the gasket surfaces without allowing debris into the engine.
• Install the new collector gaskets without sealant.
• Lower the manifold straight into place and start every fastener by hand using the 12mm socket and extension.
• Use a foot-pound torque wrench and 12mm socket to tighten the manifold fasteners evenly from the center outward to 18.6 Nm (14 ft-lbs).
• Use a 12mm socket to reinstall the manifold support brackets in their original locations.

Step 12: Reinstall the throttle body

• Position the new throttle-body gasket and throttle body.
• Use a 10mm socket to start all four bolts by hand.
• Use an inch-pound torque wrench and 10mm socket to tighten the bolts evenly in a crossing pattern to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs).
• Reconnect the electrical connector by hand.
• If removed, reconnect the coolant hoses using hose-clamp pliers.

Step 13: Reconnect the manifold connections

• Use your labels and photographs to reconnect every vacuum, EVAP, and crankcase-ventilation hose.
• Use hose-clamp pliers to return each clamp to its original location.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall the wiring and hose brackets.
• Check that no wire or hose is trapped beneath the manifold.

Step 14: Reinstall the intake duct

• Fit the duct completely over the air-cleaner and throttle-body openings.
• Use hose-clamp pliers to reconnect its breather hose.
• Reconnect the mass-airflow sensor by hand if it was unplugged.
• Use an 8mm socket or Phillips No. 2 screwdriver to tighten the intake clamps until snug.

Step 15: Reconnect the battery and install the cover

• Use a 10mm socket to reconnect and securely tighten the negative battery terminal.
• Position the engine cover and press it down by hand until seated.
• Use a magnetic pickup tool if any hardware was dropped, then remove all tools and towels from the engine compartment.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Turn the ignition on for five seconds without starting the engine, then turn it off for ten seconds.
• ✅ Start the engine without pressing the accelerator. It may run slightly unevenly for a short time while the computer relearns.
• ✅ Listen for hissing around the intake manifold. Hissing or a persistent high idle usually indicates an intake leak or disconnected hose.
• ✅ Confirm that the engine runs smoothly and the check-engine light remains off.
• ✅ If the idle remains abnormal, Nissan throttle closed-position and idle-air-volume relearn procedures may be necessary with a Nissan-capable scan tool.
• ✅ If a coolant hose was disconnected, check the coolant level when cold and inspect for leakage.
• ✅ After a short test drive, recheck the intake duct, hoses, and electrical connectors.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹28,000-₹48,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹8,000-₹16,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹20,000-₹32,000 by doing it yourself!

Local labor and imported-part prices vary. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-3.5 hours.

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