Nissan Terrano engine troubles: causes...

Owners Nissan Terrano with gasoline engines 2.0 (MR20DE) And 2.5 (QR25DE) Often faced with the problem of tripping - when the engine runs unevenly, vibrates at idle or “tweaks” during acceleration. This malfunction not only reduces driving comfort, but can also lead to serious damage if ignored for a long time.

In this article we will analyze all possible causes of tripling - from trivial (spark plugs) to complex (timing or compression problems). You will learn how diagnose the problem by the sound and behavior of the engine without a scanner, what error codes (P0300-P0304) indicate tripling, and what to do first. And for those who prefer to repair it themselves, we have prepared step-by-step instructions with photos and videos.

1. Signs of engine tripping Nissan Terrano: how to recognize the problem

Triple manifests itself differently depending on the cause, but there are common symptoms:

🔊 Rough idle — the engine “sausages”, vibrations are transmitted to the body and steering wheel.
🚗 Dips during acceleration — the car jerks, especially when you press the gas sharply.
⚡ Power drop — Terrano It pulls worse, especially on inclines.
💨 Increased fuel consumption - 15–30% higher than usual.
🔥 Black or white smoke from the exhaust - indicates problems with the fuel system or ignition.

On Nissan Terrano with engines MR20DE triplet is often accompanied Check Engine. If the lamp flashes, this is a sign misfireswhich may damage the catalyst. On QR25DE The problem often appears when cold and disappears after warming up.

⚠️ Attention: If tripling is accompanied knocking in the engine or metal shavings in oil — turn off the engine immediately! This could be a sign destruction of the piston group or broken timing belt (on Terrano With a chain this is unlikely, but possible with strong stretching).

📊 How often does your Nissan Terrano engine stall?

Regularly, already used to it
Sometimes, usually when cold
It used to crash, but I fixed the problem
Never encountered
I don't know what it is

2. TOP 7 reasons for tripling Nissan Terrano: from simple to complex

Let's consider all possible reasons, starting with the cheapest to repair:

Reason	Symptoms	Repair cost (RUB)
Spark plugs	Trouble when cold, misfires (`P0300-P0304`)	500–2 000
Ignition coils	Troubleshooting, error `P0351-P0354`	1,500–4,000 (for 1 piece)
Injectors	Jerking during acceleration, black smoke, error `P0200-P0204`	2,000–8,000 (cleaning/replacement)
Air filter/mass air flow sensor	Floating speed, error `P0100` or `P0171`	300–3 500
EGR valve/intake manifold	Trouble at idle, error `P0400`	1 500–10 000

On Nissan Terrano with mileage >100 thousand km are most often to blame spark plugs and coils. If the engine troits only when cold - check valve clearances (on MR20DE they require adjustment every 90–100 thousand km). If the problem appears after refueling - guilty fuel quality or clogged injectors.

How to check spark plugs without tools?

Remove the high voltage wire (on Terrano with COP coils - disconnect the connector) and unscrew the spark plug. If it is wet (gasoline), the problem is in the ignition. If it’s dry with black carbon, it’s a rich mixture (injectors, mass air flow sensor). A normal candle has light brown soot.

3. Diagnosis of triplets: where to start?

Before disassembling the engine, follow these steps:

Read errors with scanner (ELM327 or Consult diagnostic cable)

Check the spark plugs (unscrew and inspect)

Swap the ignition coils (if the tripping goes to another cylinder, the coil is to blame)

Measure the compression (standard for MR20DE: 12–14 bar, for QR25DE: 13–15 bar)

Check fuel pressure (normal: 3–4 bar at idle) -->

If you don't have a scanner, you can try elimination method:

Start the engine and disconnect the chips from the ignition coils one by one. If when one of the cylinders is turned off no changes - the problem is there.
Shine a flashlight into the candle wells: if any oil or moisture - Check the valve cover gasket.
Listen to the engine at idle: popping sounds in the exhaust - rich mixture, popping sounds in the intake manifold - lean mixture.

⚠️ Attention: On Nissan Terrano with engine QR25DE a common problem with phase shifters (error P0011 or P0021). If the engine stalls and produces these codes, check Timing chains and tensioners! Ignoring will lead to chain jump and the meeting of valves with pistons.

4. Replacing spark plugs and ignition coils: step-by-step instructions

On Terrano with engines MR20DE And QR25DE are used custom ignition coils (COP). To replace you will need:

🔧 10 mm socket wrench (for coils)
🔧 16 mm spark plug wrench with magnet
🔧 Dielectric grease (e.g. Liqui Moly Silicone-Fett)
🔧 New candles (NGK PLZFR6A-11 or Denso FK16HR11)

Procedure:

Remove decorative engine cover (snap off 4 clips).
Disconnect power connectors from the coils (press the latch and pull up).
Unscrew the coil mounting bolts (1 bolt for each).
Remove the coils and unscrew the spark plugs spark plug wrench.
Install new spark plugs with tightening torque 20–25 Nm.
Apply dielectric grease onto the coil tips and install them back.

💡

If the spark plugs are “soured” and won’t come out, don’t use force! Water them WD-40 or rust remover and wait 10–15 minutes. A broken thread in the block head will cost from 15,000 rubles to repair.

After replacement, reset the errors with a scanner or turn off negative battery terminal for 10 minutes. If the tripping remains, check compression or injectors.

5. Cleaning injectors without removing them: does it work?

Clogged injectors are a common cause of throttling Nissan Terrano with mileage >150 thousand km. They can be cleaned two ways:

🔧 Ultrasonic cleaning (the most effective method, but requires removing the injectors). Cost: 3,000–5,000 rubles.
💊 Flushing with liquid (For example, Liqui Moly JetClean or Wynn's). Cheaper, but less effective.

How to wash injectors without removing them:

Disable fuel pump (pull the fuse F30 (15A) in the block under the hood).
Connect rinsing bottle to the fuel rail fitting (an adapter will be required).
Start the engine and let it run on the flushing fluid for 10-15 minutes.
Stop the engine, wait 30 minutes, then repeat the procedure.
Reinstall the pump fuse and start the engine.

⚠️ Attention: If after washing the injector spray was not restored (the stream is not uniform, but “pouring”), they need change or clean with ultrasound. On Terrano with QR25DE injectors often fail Hitachi - it is better to replace them with Denso or Bosch.

💡

If after cleaning the injectors the flicker remains, check fuel rail pressure. Norm for Nissan Terrano: 3.5–4 bar at idle. If the pressure is lower, it’s your fault fuel pump or pressure regulator.

6. Problems with timing belt and compression: when serious diagnostics are needed

If the spark plugs, coils and injectors are in order, but the engine still stalls, check:

🔗 Timing chain and phase shifters (on QR25DE the chain stretches to 200 thousand km).
🔧 Compression (the difference between the cylinders should not exceed 1 bar).
🔥 Valve burnout (a common problem on Terrano with gas-cylinder equipment).
💨 Air leak (check the pipes from the air intake to the throttle).

How to measure compression:

Warm up the engine to operating temperature.
Unscrew all candles.
Disable injectors (pull the fuse F20 (10A)).
Insert the compression gauge into the spark plug hole and crank the starter for 5–7 seconds.
Record the readings for each cylinder.

If the compression is below normal:

🔧 Add 5–10 ml of oil to the cylinder and repeat the measurement. If the compression has increased, the problem is piston rings. If not - valve burnout or crack in the head.
🔍 Check it out valve tightness (you can use a pneumatic tester).

What to do if compression is low in all cylinders?

This is a sign piston group wear. On Nissan Terrano with mileage >250 thousand km often required major renovation (boring the block, replacing rings, valves). Cost: from 80,000 rub. (with spare parts).

7. Prevention of tripling: how to avoid the problem

To the engine Nissan Terrano not Troil, follow these recommendations:

🔧 Change spark plugs every 30–40 thousand km (even if they look normal).
🛢️ Refuel at proven gas stations (bad gasoline kills injectors and catalyst).
🔗 Check timing chains every 100 thousand km (for QR25DE they stretch faster).
💨 Clean throttle valve every 50 thousand km (use Liqui Moly Drosselklappen-Reiniger).
🔥 Control oil level (low level leads to timing belt wear).

If your Terrano operated on gas (gas), reduce the spark plug replacement interval to 20 thousand km and check valve clearances every 60 thousand km. Gas burns at a higher temperature, which accelerates wear of parts.

💡

On Nissan Terrano with engine MR20DE often cause tripping faulty ignition coils. Original coils (Nissan 22448-JK01A) serve ~100 thousand km, but they are often counterfeited. Buy only from official dealers or trusted suppliers!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about tripling Nissan Terrano

🔧 Why does the engine stall? Nissan Terrano only when cold?

Most likely reasons:

🔥 Ignition coil is faulty (when cold it gives a weak spark).
💧 Valve clearances require adjustment (on MR20DE this is critical).
🛢️ The injectors are pouring (over-enriched mixture when cold).

Start by checking coils (swap them) and candles.

⚡ Is it possible to drive if the engine is not working?

Short term - yes, but not recommended:

🔥 Triple destroys the catalyst (unburned fuel burns out in it).
💨 Increases oil consumption (due to uneven load on the piston).
🔧 Risk overheating inoperative cylinder.

If the tripping is strong, it is better to call a tow truck or go to a service station at a speed not exceeding 60 km/h.

💰 How much does it cost to eliminate triplicity on Nissan Terrano?

The cost depends on the reason:

Problem	Cost (RUB)
Replacing spark plugs	500–2 000
Replacing the ignition coil (1 pc.)	1 500–4 000
Cleaning injectors (ultrasound)	3 000–5 000
Valve adjustment	4 000–7 000
Replacing timing chain + phase shifters	25 000–40 000

On average, repairs cost 3,000–15,000 rub., if the problem is not related to overhaul.

🔧 Which candles are best placed on Nissan Terrano 2.0/2.5?

<em>Nissan Terrano</em> engine troubles: 7 reasons and how to fix the problem yourself