Just to change the plugs???

The Cube has 103k miles on it now, so it's time to change the plugs.  This shouldn't be a big deal; just pop the plastic engine cover, pull the coil packs, swap the plugs, good to go.  

Nope, it's not going to be that easy on the Nissan 1.8L engine.  Where are those plugs???  Why, they are underneath the intake manifold of course!

Ok, I actually knew this going into the plug change, but seriously???  

I started by pulling the intake resonator; that just pops right off.  The front section of the intake tube came off next.  After popping the plastic rivets attaching it to the radiator brace, this piece popped off as well.

Due to the shape and angle of the intake tubes, dirt will accumulate just above the intake ports.  Do yourself a favor and blow compressed air across the top of the manifold.  Guess what, you're still going to have some dirt fall into the intake ports.  Be prepared to clean them out.

Remove the boot between the intake filter housing and the throttle valve.

The FSM calls for draining the coolant and removing the throttle valve.  Nuts to that.  I left the coolant lines attached to the throttle valve and simply detached the unit from the intake manifold.  There is enough play to move it out of the way to reach the bolt that secures the driver side of the manifold.

Next, remove the bolt on the passenger side rear of the manifold.  Disconnect the vacuum hose next to it as well.

Now remove the connector and hose on the evap canister purge valve.

Now remove the 5 bolts securing the front of the intake manifold to the head.  Can't find all five?  It's a puzzle; look harder and you'll see them.

You can now remove the coil packs and replace the plugs.  Oh, by the way, you'll need a 14mm thin-walled plug wrench to get those buggers out.  Torque the plugs to 22ft-lb and the coil packs to 10ft-lb.

Now replace the two gaskets on the intake manifold.  From what I saw of the condition of the original gaskets, don't try to reuse them.

As it says in so many engine manuals, reverse these instructions for installation.  You were paying attention, right?  Torque the 5 front manifold mounting bolts to 27ft-lb.  The rear manifold mounts should be torqued to 20 ft-lb.  The 4 throttle valve bolts should be torqued to 10ft-lb.

At least this only has to be done every 100k miles!