Changed spark plugs today

[Herr Kutz]

and when the job was complete I went to start the vehicle for the first time and it had a very difficult time starting. As soon as I let go of the key the vehicle turned off. I tried it again and it still had a bit of difficulty starting but this time it stayed on so I took a drive around the block and the car felt more responsive. After parking I turned the car off and back on and it came on just fine, a bit stronger than before the spark plug change even. Fast forward a few hours and I did another quick test with a slightly longer drive and everything was hunky dory. Is it normal to have some difficulty starting on the first try after a spark plug change?

While I was changing out the plugs I replaced the throttle body gasket and intake manifold gasket as well. I also noticed oil on three of the spark plugs and wish I had ordered a valve cover gasket and spark plug gasket too.

P.S. Screw Nissan for making it so difficult to change the plugs on a MR18DE.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Never heard of something like that for replacing spark plugs properly. Your MR18DE engine is used in a handful of Nissan cars dating back to 2006 or 2007. This seems like "just yesterday" to an old guy like me. Cars older than that can have plug-sets that don't need to be gapped. And my DIY-expertise harks back to carburetors, distributor rotors and generally -- dead tech.

Naïve question, but are you sure you purchased the right plugs?

 

[Herr Kutz]

Never heard of something like that for replacing spark plugs properly. Your MR18DE engine is used in a handful of Nissan cars dating back to 2006 or 2007. This seems like "just yesterday" to an old guy like me. Cars older than that can have plug-sets that don't need to be gapped. And my DIY-expertise harks back to carburetors, distributor rotors and generally -- dead tech.

Naïve question, but are you sure you purchased the right plugs?

I purchased OE plugs so unless I got counterfeits they should be good.

 

[Jimzz]

I purchased OE plugs so unless I got counterfeits they should be good.

Did you get them from a dealer? If you got them from eBay or amazon then 99% chance they are fakes. I know...

 

[EXCellR8]

Did you check or set the gap? Most modern plugs will be "pre-gapped" but I always like to check anyway.

At least it's not a boxer engine...

 

[NutBucket]

If you buy OEM plugs they will be gapped correctly. I was about to comment on counterfeit plugs but now that I think about it I always buy plugs from speed shops or Rockauto, etc. But yes, the gap on every plug should be checked. Ask me how I know!

And for the record I'd much rather change plugs in a Subaru than most any transverse V6. Remove the intake, tip the engine forward, etc to get to the back bank? No thanks!

 

[Herr Kutz]

Well, they were shipped and sold by Amazon so I guess it's possible they could be counterfeits.

 

[EXCellR8]

Got a link to the item page?

 

[Herr Kutz]

Got a link to the item page?

https://www.amazon.com/Denso-3439-S...ds=denso+3439&qid=1551745360&s=gateway&sr=8-1

 

[RLGL]

If you buy OEM plugs they will be gapped correctly.

NO they are not always gapped correctly.

 

[EXCellR8]

https://www.amazon.com/Denso-3439-S...ds=denso+3439&qid=1551745360&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Thanks, at first glance they appear to be genuine however the seller seems to indicate that they are "aftermarket stock" and not actually OE. I'm wondering if they are actual Denso plugs or some kind of rebranded knock off made to look like the OE plug. What did the packaging look like?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Very illuminating thread. ExellR8 has asked all the important questions. As I said also, I was thinking of the spark-plug gap. But counterfeit aftermarket knockoffs? The possibility makes me inclined to be extra careful when I'm ordering parts.

I used to do the upkeep on a fleet of Hondas. I partnered with my functionally-illiterate car-mechanic -- a good ol' boy who looked like Greg Allman -- and we would find distressed vehicles, take them to our rented garage space in Thornburg, fix them, paint them and sell them for some extra ducats. As much as I liked hiking the Blue Ridge when I lived in VA, I also spent weekends with a day-pack of lunch and drink, accoutred in my old camo-fatigues with a small toolbox, to plod through the dirt roads of expansive and endless junkyards so I could bring home some parts for the Civics.

Those days are over. Back then, I'd think nothing of replacing my spark plugs myself. For my recent spark-plug replacement, I was inclined to pay my mechanic. But, yes--- even as they say some plugs come pre-gapped, I'd check the workshop manual for the specs and gap them myself anyway.

 

[Jimzz]

Herr Kutz, Take a plug out and get some pictures of it, especially the tip/head. I have some fake Nissan denso pictures I can share later tonight. Do you have the boxes they came in?

But the fakes look REALLY good. So the writing, made in japan stamp, etc... all look like reals Densos.

Very illuminating thread. ExellR8 has asked all the important questions. As I said also, I was thinking of the spark-plug gap. But counterfeit aftermarket knockoffs? The possibility makes me inclined to be extra careful when I'm ordering parts.
.

Yea only buy from known retailers like most national parts houses, rockauto, etc... I lost money once trying to save some on fake Densos. They only lasted 10k before the misfires happened. Luckily it was a family members car, not a customers. I always use my or family vehicles to test new products/take chances on deals.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Just because they come pre-gapped doesn't mean they didn't get knocked around in shipping. Personally I think that's more likely than counterfeit spark plugs.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Thanks, at first glance they appear to be genuine however the seller seems to indicate that they are "aftermarket stock" and not actually OE. I'm wondering if they are actual Denso plugs or some kind of rebranded knock off made to look like the OE plug. What did the packaging look like?

Here's an interesting thread. https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthr...erfeit-FAKE-NGK-Spark-Plugs-On-eBay-or-Amazon

If you're referring to the Question/Answer, it's just a recordkeeping and branding thing:

Denso calls it "3439" and sells them as aftermarket parts. You can buy then at AutoZone or RockAuto and they probably fit in a lot of things.

Nissan buys a bunch of them, stamps their logo on the box, and calls them "22401-ED815" to match their part numbering scheme. Those are then considered "OE."

Since Denso makes stock spark plugs for Nissan, these are probably good. I wouldn't just put any random spark plug in there that fit, though - heard too many horror stories. Get them from whoever makes them for Nissan, get a matching set, and replace them all at the same time, every time.

Buying at the dealership is always an option, but since they charge 3-4x as much for the same plug, I'd say the "aftermarket" (same stuff different label) plugs are worth doing the legwork on. You are free to place the value on your time that you see fit.

When counterfeit parts do find their way into the channel, it's usually being sold by god-knows-who-that-is third party sellers on Amazon or via eBay. Buying something that's "Fulfilled by Amazon" or, even better, at an honest-to-god locally owned auto parts store, will help avoid that stuff.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Herr Kutz, Take a plug out and get some pictures of it, especially the tip/head. I have some fake Nissan denso pictures I can share later tonight. Do you have the boxes they came in?

But the fakes look REALLY good. So the writing, made in japan stamp, etc... all look like reals Densos.





Yea only buy from known retailers like most national parts houses, rockauto, etc... I lost money once trying to save some on fake Densos. They only lasted 10k before the misfires happened. Luckily it was a family members car, not a customers. I always use my or family vehicles to test new products/take chances on deals.

I have the boxes still and will take pictures when I get home. Unfortunately accessing the spark plugs is an absolute biatch on the MR18DE so I won’t be pulling them out unless I have an issue. I usually take photos of these things beforehand...

Is there still a high chance of receiving counterfeits if Amazon is the seller?

 

[EXCellR8]

Unfortunately, people have access to much better manufacturing methods today, so it may be difficult to tell if they are counterfeit without extensive testing. My first thought was to buy a plug from your local store and compare it (box and everything) but it still may be tough to decipher.

Reminds me of when I was buying springs for my old Honda and there were a ton of fakes floating around. However, the fakes were clearly just painted a similar color to the genuine part and the label was stuck on rather than printed on the spring itself. This plug issue is much more complex.

 

[Jimzz]

I have the boxes still and will take pictures when I get home. Unfortunately accessing the spark plugs is an absolute biatch on the MR18DE so I won’t be pulling them out unless I have an issue. I usually take photos of these things beforehand...

Is there still a high chance of receiving counterfeits if Amazon is the seller?

You said you bought OE plugs so I thought you bought Nissan boxed plugs. If you bought form amazon itself and they are in Denso boxes then chnaces are they are good. If it was a 3rd party then that would be a different story.

The fake ones I bought were in Nissan boxes. As said fakes have access to much better equipment than before so even holding in my hand and looking at the ink and stamps on it I thought were real.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Herr Kutz, Take a plug out and get some pictures of it, especially the tip/head. I have some fake Nissan denso pictures I can share later tonight. Do you have the boxes they came in?

But the fakes look REALLY good. So the writing, made in japan stamp, etc... all look like reals Densos.





Yea only buy from known retailers like most national parts houses, rockauto, etc... I lost money once trying to save some on fake Densos. They only lasted 10k before the misfires happened. Luckily it was a family members car, not a customers. I always use my or family vehicles to test new products/take chances on deals.

Pictures of boxes below. I took some pictures of the old spark plugs too; unfortunately I did not snap any photos of the new plugs.