Cylinder 3 sits on the driver's-side cylinder bank (Bank 1) and is the rear-most cylinder on that bank, toward the firewall.
On a Murano’s 3.5-liter V6, cylinders are arranged in two banks of three. Cylinder 3 is the last cylinder on Bank 1 when you trace the bank from the front of the engine to the back. The exact visual position can vary slightly by model year and engine cover configuration, but the general layout remains the same.
Engine layout basics
The Murano's 3.5L V6 uses two banks of three cylinders arranged in a V shape. For maintenance such as spark plug or coil replacement, it helps to identify which bank is Bank 1 and then locate the rear-most cylinder on that bank, which is Cylinder 3.
To identify Bank 1 and Cylinder 3 in practice, follow the steps below.
- Open the hood and locate the engine's two banks of cylinders formed by the V shape.
- Determine which bank is Bank 1 by finding where Cylinder 1 sits; on most Murano 3.5L V6s, cylinder 1 is at the front of Bank 1.
- Starting from the front of the engine on Bank 1, count toward the rear; Cylinder 3 will be the last cylinder on that bank.
- cylinder 3 will be the rear-most spark plug on the driver’s side, near the firewall and behind intake components depending on the year and trim.
- For spark plugs or coils, remove any obstructing components (engine cover, intake plenum, wiring harnesses) with proper safety precautions and consult the service manual for torque specs.
Understanding this layout helps you target Cylinder 3 efficiently during maintenance.
Model-year considerations
Most 3.5L Murano engines across generations maintain Banks 1 and 2 with Cylinder 3 on Bank 1. Some variations in accessory layout or engine covers can affect how easy it is to access Cylinder 3, but its fundamental location—driver-side, rear-most on Bank 1—remains consistent for common models (early and later Murano 3.5L V6s).
Accessing cylinder 3 for maintenance
Because Cylinder 3 sits toward the back of the engine, you may need to remove the intake plenum or other components to reach the spark plug. Always disconnect the negative battery terminal before starting work, wear eye protection, and follow Nissan's service manual instructions for removing and reinstalling components.
Summary: Cylinder 3 on a Nissan Murano is on the driver’s side, the rear-most cylinder of Bank 1, near the firewall. Use the two-bank V6 layout to locate it, and plan for accessory removal if servicing the spark plug or coil.