Nissan Altima Spark Plug and Ignition Coil Replacement (2013-2018)
About this video
Engine shaking at idle, stumbling under acceleration, or a check engine light flashing at you? That is a misfire, and worn spark plugs or a failing ignition coil are the usual cause. An ASE certified mechanic shows how to identify which cylinder is misfiring and replace the plugs and coils correctly.
SAFETY FIRST
Work on a cold engine. Pulling plugs from a hot aluminum head can damage the threads. Disconnect the negative battery terminal before unplugging coils, never pull a coil or plug wire while the engine is running, and keep the spark plug wells clean so no debris falls into the cylinder. Torque every plug to spec with a torque wrench. Guessing here cracks insulators and strips heads.
WHAT WE COVER
How ignition coils and spark plugs work together and why one bad coil takes out one cylinder
Reading the misfire code to identify the exact cylinder, and what a P0300 random misfire means instead
Swapping a coil to a different cylinder to confirm whether the coil or the plug is at fault before buying parts
Removing the engine cover, intake components, or wiper cowl where access is tight
Blowing out the spark plug wells before the plugs come out
Removing coils without breaking the connector lock tabs
Reading the old plugs: normal wear, oil fouling, carbon fouling, ash, and what each one tells you about the engine
Checking and setting the gap on the new plugs, and why most should not be regapped
Anti seize and dielectric grease, where each belongs and where it does not
Torquing the plugs to spec and seating the coils fully
Clearing codes and verifying the misfire is gone with live data
SYMPTOMS YOU MAY NOTICE
Rough idle, shaking, or vibration at a stop light
Flashing check engine light, which means an active misfire that can destroy the catalytic converter, so stop driving
Hesitation, stumble, or a jerk under acceleration
Hard starting, especially when cold or in damp weather
Loss of power, limp mode, or the engine not revving past a certain RPM
Poor fuel economy and a fuel smell from the exhaust
Popping or backfiring through the intake or exhaust
Engine that runs fine cold and misfires once it warms up, a classic failing coil pattern
RELATED FAULT CODES
Misfire codes P0300 random misfire and P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 for the individual cylinders, plus P0305 and P0306 on a V6. Ignition coil primary and secondary circuit codes P0351, P0352, P0353, P0354, P0355, and P0356. Related codes that often appear alongside a misfire include P0171 and P0174 lean, P0420 and P0430 catalytic converter efficiency from raw fuel reaching the cat, and crankshaft or camshaft position codes P0335 and P0340.
DOES THIS APPLY TO MY CAR
Recorded on a 2018 Nissan Altima, fifth generation L33, sold 2013-2018 in the US with the facelift covering 2016-2018. It applies to 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Altima models with the 2.5L QR25DE four cylinder, which uses four plugs and four coils, and the 3.5L VQ35DE V6, which uses six and has harder access on the rear bank. The QR25DE is also found in the Nissan Rogue, Sentra, X-Trail, and Frontier, and the VQ35DE is found in the Nissan Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Quest, 350Z, and Infiniti G35, M35, and FX35, so the parts and the procedure carry over to those vehicles. The Altima is sold as the Nissan Teana in many markets. The diagnosis and the coil swap test work on any coil on plug engine from Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevy, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
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DISCLAIMER: This video and description are provided for educational purposes only. Vehicle repair carries risk of injury and property damage. You are responsible for your own safety and for any work performed on your vehicle.
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