Nissan Murano Z50 (2008–2014) with motor VQ35DE is a reliable crossover, but even it requires regular maintenance. One of the critical elements of the ignition system are spark plugs. Their condition directly affects dynamics, fuel consumption and even the service life of the catalyst. In this article we will look at which spark plugs are suitable for Murano Z50, how to replace them correctly and what to look for when diagnosing faults.

Many owners encounter problems: the engine stalls, errors appear P0300–P0306, and after replacing the spark plugs the situation does not improve. The reason often lies in the incorrect selection of parts or violation of the installation process. We analyzed the original catalogs Nissan, reviews from car owners and recommendations from service technicians to create a checklist for error-free selection and replacement.

Original spark plugs for Murano Z50: articles and analogues

The factory manufacturer installs on Murano Z50 candles NGK PLFR5A-11 (article 22401-JK00A). These are iridium spark plugs with a thin central electrode (0.6 mm), designed for mileage up to 100,000 km. However, in the catalogs Nissan Alternative articles are also found:

  • 🔧 Denso FXE20HR11 (article 22401-JK01A) - a complete analogue of the original NGK, but with a copper core and platinum coating.
  • 🔧 NGK ILFR5A-11 — modification with an increased service life (up to 120,000 km), but requires checking compatibility with the ECU.
  • 🔧 Champion OE201 — a budget option, but with a reduced replacement interval (60,000 km).

Important: candles PLFR5A-11 And FXE20HR11 are interchangeable, but have different clearances. U NGK he makes up 1.1 mm, y Denso — 1.0 mm. When installing analogues of other brands (for example, Bosch or Beru) be sure to check the gap with a feeler gauge!

Manufacturer Article Electrode type Gap (mm) Resource (km)
NGK (original) PLFR5A-11 / 22401-JK00A Iridium 1,1 100 000
Denso (original) FXE20HR11 / 22401-JK01A Platinum 1,0 90 000
Champion OE201 Nickel 1,1 60 000
Bosch FR7DPX Platinum (4 electrodes) 1,0 80 000
⚠️ Attention: Candles Bosch FR7DPX have 4 side electrodes, which can cause false misfires on Murano Z50 with ECU firmware older than 2012. Before installation, check compatibility with your software version.

Signs of faulty spark plugs

Worn or damaged spark plugs do not show themselves immediately. The first symptoms are often attributed to fuel or weather, but they cannot be ignored. Here are the key signs:

  • ⚡ Engine tripping at idle or under load (especially during acceleration).
  • ⚡ Increased fuel consumption (more than 12 l/100 km in the city when the norm is 10–11 l).
  • ⚡ Difficulty starting in cold weather (the starter turns for more than 3 seconds).
  • ⚡ Power Loss — the car “does not pull” at speeds above 3,500 rpm.
  • ⚡ Check engine with errors P0300 (numerous omissions), P0301–P0306 (misfires in a specific cylinder).

Particularly dangerous misfire in one cylinder (for example, error P0303). If you ignore it for more than 2 weeks, the non-flammable mixture will enter the catalyst and damage it. Average cost of replacing a catalyst Murano Z50 — 80 000–120 000 ₽.

📊 How often do you change spark plugs?
  • Every 30,000 km
  • Every 60,000 km
  • Every 100,000 km
  • Only when problems arise
  • I don't know

You can diagnose the condition of the spark plugs visually. Unscrew them and inspect:

  • 🔍 Normal Wear: light brown coating, no erosion of electrodes.
  • 🔍 Thread oil - a sign of wear on the valve stem seals or piston rings.
  • 🔍 Black soot — rich fuel mixture (problem with the lambda probe or injectors).
  • 🔍 White coating — lean mixture or overheating (risk of valve burnout).
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If a red coating (like brick dust) is found on the spark plugs, this is a sign of using fuel with manganese-based additives. Such fuel quickly damages the catalyst and lambda probes.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing spark plugs on a Murano Z50

Replacing spark plugs with VQ35DE requires caution: the engine has aluminum cylinder head, and damage to the thread will lead to costly repairs. You will need:

  • 🔧 14mm spark plug wrench with magnetic grip (e.g. Hazet 4762-1).
  • 🔧 Extension cord and ratchet.
  • 🔧 Dielectric grease (e.g. CRC 2-26).
  • 🔧 Torque wrench (optional, but recommended).

Work order:

  1. Remove the plastic engine cover (snap off the 4 clips).
  2. Disconnect the ignition coil connectors (press the lock and pull up).
  3. Unscrew the coil mounting bolts (10 mm socket) and remove the coils.
  4. Blow out the wells with compressed air (to prevent dirt from getting into the cylinders).
  5. Unscrew the old spark plugs counterclockwise. If the candle is stuck, use WD-40 and let stand for 10 minutes.
  6. Apply a thin layer of dielectric grease to the threads of the new spark plugs and screw them in by hand all the way.
  7. Tighten firmly with a torque wrench 20–25 Nm (without a key - 1/4 turn after the “stop”).
  8. Reinstall the coils, connect the connectors and check the operation of the engine.

Check the compatibility of the spark plug part numbers with your VIN|Cool the engine (hot replacement is prohibited!)|Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery|Prepare the compressor to blow out the wells|Apply dielectric grease to the new spark plugs-->

⚠️ Attention: When replacing spark plugs with Murano Z50 with a mileage of more than 150,000 km there is a risk of the spark plug breaking off in the well. If the thread is damaged, the cylinder head will need to be repaired with the installation of a screw plug (cost from 15,000 ₽). To avoid this, always use a magnetic spark plug wrench and do not use excessive force.
What to do if a candle breaks off in a well?

If the center electrode remains inside, do not try to remove it yourself! Contact a service center that uses a special extractor (for example, Lisle 65600). Attempts to drill out the fragment lead to damage to the thread and the replacement of the cylinder head.

Common replacement mistakes and their consequences

Even experienced car owners make mistakes that lead to serious damage. Here are the most critical ones:

  1. Using incompatible candles. For example, setting NGK BKR6E (for Almera N16) instead PLFR5A-11 will lead to detonation and damage to the pistons.
  2. Excessive tightening torque. Aluminum cylinder head VQ35DE does not tolerate overtightening - the thread is cut with a force of over 30 Nm.
  3. Dirt getting into the cylinders. If you do not blow out the wells before unscrewing the spark plugs, sand or metal shavings will get into the combustion chamber and damage the cylinder bore.
  4. Ignoring the gap. A gap of 1.3 mm instead of the recommended 1.1 mm will cause misfire at high speeds.

Critical error: using copper candles (for example, NGK BPR6ES) instead of iridium. Copper spark plugs have a service life of 30,000 km, but their electrode quickly burns out, which leads to increased load on the ignition coils. On Murano Z50 this is fraught with failure of the coils (the cost of one is from 4,000 ₽).

Error Consequences Repair cost (₽)
Incompatible spark plugs Detonation, piston damage 50 000–100 000
Re-upholstery of candles Thread cut in cylinder head 15 000–30 000
Dirt in the cylinders Seizures on the cylinder mirror 80 000–150 000
Incorrect clearance Misfire, coil output 16,000–32,000 (4 coils)

How to extend the life of spark plugs?

Candle life Murano Z50 depends not only on the quality of the parts, but also on the operating conditions. Here are proven ways to increase their lifespan:

  • ⚙️ Use fuel with an octane rating of at least 95. On 92 gasoline, the electrodes of the spark plugs become covered with soot 2 times faster.
  • ⚙️ Change the air filter every 15,000 km. A clogged filter leads to a rich mixture and accelerated wear of the spark plugs.
  • ⚙️ Check the condition of high-voltage wires. Microcracks in the insulation cause current leakage and erosion of the electrodes.
  • ⚙️ Avoid short trips during cold seasons. Frequent starts in the cold without warming up reduce the service life of spark plugs by 30–40%.

It is also recommended to clean the spark plugs every 30,000 km from carbon deposits using ultrasonic bath or special means (for example, Liqui Moly Ventil Sauber). This is especially true when operating in urban areas with frequent traffic jams.

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Iridium spark plugs NGK PLFR5A-11 lose efficiency after 80,000 km even under ideal conditions. Their further operation leads to an increase in fuel consumption by 5–7% and the risk of detonation.

Comparison of original candles and analogues: what to choose?

Many owners Murano Z50 they try to save money by installing analogues instead of original spark plugs. But not all analogues are equally good. Let's make a comparison based on key parameters:

Parameter NGK PLFR5A-11 (original) Denso FXE20HR11 Bosch FR7DPX Champion OE201
Electrode material Iridium Platinum Platinum (4 electrodes) Nickel
Resource (km) 100 000 90 000 80 000 60 000
ECU compatibility 100% 100% 80% (risk of errors) 90%
Price per set (₽) 3 200–3 800 2 800–3 400 2 500–3 000 1 200–1 600

Conclusion: optimal choice — original NGK PLFR5A-11 or Denso FXE20HR11. Candles Bosch FR7DPX Suitable only for cars with ECU firmware no older than 2013. Champion OE201 - a budget option for temporary replacement, but their service life is 1.5 times lower.

If you prefer analogues, pay attention to NGK ILFR5A-11 - they have an increased service life (120,000 km) and work better under high loads. However, their cost is comparable to the original (~3,500 RUR per set).

Diagnosis of misfires: when are the spark plugs not to blame?

If after replacing the spark plugs the engine continues to stall, the problem may lie in other components. Let's look at the typical causes of misfires on Murano Z50:

  • 🔌 Faulty ignition coils. Check the resistance of the primary and secondary windings (normal: 0.5–1.0 Ohm and 8–12 kOhm, respectively).
  • 🔌 Air leak. Inspect the intake manifold and hoses for cracks. A common problem is cracking of the rubber throttle seals.
  • 🔌 Clogged injectors. If fuel injection is uneven, the ECU detects misfires. The solution is ultrasonic cleaning of injectors (cost ~5,000 ₽).
  • 🔌 Faulty lambda probe. If the oxygen sensor produces incorrect data, the ECU incorrectly adjusts the mixture, which leads to misfires.

For accurate diagnostics, connect a scanner (for example, Launch X431) and check the following parameters:

  • Misfire Counters — cylinder skip counters.
  • Fuel Trim — fuel supply correction (norm: ±5%).
  • Ignition Advance — ignition timing (must be stable at idle).
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If misfires appear only on a cold engine, check the compression in the cylinders. Low compression (less than 12 bar) indicates worn piston rings or valves.

⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z50 with a mileage of more than 200,000 km, misfires are often associated with wear on the system camshafts VVEL (variable valve lift). In this case, replacement of camshafts and hydraulic compensators is required (repair cost from 60,000 ₽).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about spark plugs on the Nissan Murano Z50

Is it possible to use candles with a different heat rating?

No. Candles with a heat rating below 5 (for example, NGK BPR4ES) will lead to overheating and detonation. Candles with a number higher than 6 (for example, NGK BPR7ES) will cause misfire at low speeds. For Murano Z50 Only heat number is allowed 5.

How often do you need to change spark plugs if you drive mostly on gas?

When operating on HBO spark plugs wear out 30–40% faster due to the higher combustion temperature of the gas. Recommended replacement interval - every 60,000 km, even if iridium spark plugs are used. Also be sure to reduce the gap by 0.1mm (to 1.0mm) for stable operation.

Why did the engine knock after replacing the spark plugs?

Knocking (detonation) after replacing spark plugs is usually caused by:

  1. Incorrect clearance (too large).
  2. Using candles with a low heat rating.
  3. Ingress of foreign objects into the cylinders (for example, fragments of ceramics from an old candle).

Immediately stop the engine and check the spark plug gap. If the knocking noise does not disappear, contact a service center for diagnostics.

Is it possible to clean spark plugs with sandpaper?

No! Abrasive cleaning damages the protective coating of the electrodes, which leads to accelerated erosion. To clean use:

  • Ultrasonic bath (optimally).
  • Special means (for example, Abro EC-533).
  • A soft brush made of brass wire (for nickel candles only).
Which spark plugs are best for a tuned Murano Z50?

If the engine VQ35DE forced (chip tuning, increased compression), spark plugs with cold heat number (6–7) and reduced gap (0.8–0.9 mm). Suitable options:

  • NGK ILFR6A (iridium, gap 0.8 mm).
  • Denso Iridium Power IK20 (gap 0.9 mm).

After installation, be sure to adjust the ignition timing (ignition timing) using ECU firmware.