Engine Nissan MR20DEcrossover mounted Nissan Terrano, is a reliable unit, but requires regular attention to the ignition system. Spark plugs play a critical role in the stability of the engine, ensuring timely ignition of the fuel-air mixture. Ignoring their wear can lead to serious engine problems, increased fuel consumption and loss of power.
Many owners Nissan Terrano They put off a visit to the service, believing that the resource of candles is huge. However, real operating conditions in cities with frequent traffic jams and short trips significantly reduce the service life of these elements. Timely diagnostics and replacement allow you to avoid costly repairs of ignition coils and catalyst.
The replacement procedure does not require complex special tools, but has its own technical nuances that must be taken into account. Incorrect installation or use of non-original parts can damage the engine. In this article, we will look in detail at how to choose the right kit, what tools you will need, and how to do the work yourself so that your car will delight you with smooth operation.
Service life and signs of faulty spark plugs on Terrano
The manufacturer declares a certain mileage for spark plugs, but actual practice shows that this figure may vary. For 2.0 liter engine MR20DE It is recommended to check the condition of the elements every 30 thousand kilometers, and carry out a complete replacement every 60-80 thousand, depending on the type of products used. Iridium spark plugs last longer than regular nickel spark plugs, but their cost is significantly higher.
You can tell when it's time for a replacement by changing the car's behavior. If the engine starts to run unevenly, there are dips when pressing the gas pedal or difficult starting in cold weather, it is worth checking the ignition system. These symptoms often indicate that the spark has become too weak or unstable.
- 🚗 Increased fuel consumption for no apparent reason
- ⚡ Unstable operation at idle, vibration
- 💨 Deterioration in acceleration dynamics, loss of power
- 🔧 The Check Engine light comes on on the dashboard
Sometimes the problem is masked and appears only under load, for example, when overtaking or driving uphill. In such cases, the computer may generate misfire errors, which can be easily diagnosed by a scanner. These signals should not be ignored, as unburnt fuel may enter the exhaust system.
⚠️ Attention: Long-term operation with faulty spark plugs can lead to failure of the ignition coils, as they work in overload mode, trying to break through the increased gap.
Choosing suitable candles: original or analogues
When selecting parts for Nissan Terrano It is important to focus not only on the brand, but also on the technical characteristics. Standard spark plugs for this engine have a heat rating and thread size that strictly meet the requirements of engineers Nissan. Using unsuitable parts risks them falling into the cylinder or overheating the pistons.
Original candles from Nissan (catalog number usually starts with 22401) are often produced by leading global brands such as NGK or DENSO. By purchasing them under the automaker's brand, you receive a guarantee of quality, but overpay for packaging. Many car owners prefer to buy the same spark plugs directly from the manufacturer, saving up to 30% of their budget.
- 💎 Iridium spark plugs - maximum resource up to 100,000 km
- 🛡️ Platinum spark plugs (Platinum) - average service life, stable operation
- 🔩 Regular nickel spark plugs are a budget option and require frequent replacement
It is strictly not recommended to install candles with a different heat rating, even if they physically fit the thread. Too “hot” candles will cause glow ignition, and “cold” ones will quickly become covered with soot. For the MR20DE engine, it is critical to maintain the gap between the electrodes, which should be 1.1 mm for iridium models.
- Original Nissan
- Iridium NGK
- Platinum Denso
- Budget analogues
Necessary tools and preparation
Before starting work, you need to prepare a workplace and the necessary set of tools. The engine must be cool to avoid burns from contact with the manifold and cylinder head. It is also important to ensure that the work area is clean so that debris does not get inside the cylinders when removing the spark plugs.
You will need a set of sockets, extensions and, most importantly, a spark plug wrench with a magnet or rubber insert to hold the part. It is also recommended to have a can of compressed air or a compressor available to blow out the spark plug wells before unscrewing them. This will prevent dust from entering the combustion chamber.
- 🔧 16 mm spark plug wrench (usually 5/8 inch)
- 🔦 Flashlight for inspecting the condition of the electrodes
- 💨 Compressed air cylinder or compressor
- 🧽 Rags and carburetor cleaner (optional)
Additionally, it is worth stocking up on copper lubricant for processing threads. This will make future dismantling easier and prevent the spark plugs from sticking to the block head. Never use graphite lubricants or regular oils as they may damage the ceramic insulator or cause a short circuit.
Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid accidental starting of the engine or short circuit in the electrical circuit.
Step-by-step instructions for replacing spark plugs
Replacement process Nissan Terrano 2.0 has its own characteristics due to the compact arrangement of elements under the hood. The engine is equipped with a plastic decorative casing, which must be removed by snapping the latches. After this you will have access to the ignition coils that cover the spark plugs.
Each coil must be disconnected by first pressing the connector lock and unscrewing the fastening bolt. Be careful not to damage the wiring. After removing the coil, use compressed air to blow dust out of the well where the spark plug is installed. This is a critical step that should not be neglected.
☑️ Preparation for replacement
Now you can unscrew the spark plug with a spark plug wrench. Do this slowly and smoothly so as not to strip the threads. If the candle is twisted too tightly, do not use excessive force, it is better to use a special penetrating compound. After removal, carefully inspect its condition: the color of soot may indicate problems in the fuel supply system.
Installation of new spark plugs is done manually all the way to avoid distortion of the threads. Only then can the wrench be used for final tightening. Use a torque wrench if you have one, or use a moderate amount of torque and trust your feel. Over-tightening may cause the ceramic insulator to crack.
⚠️ Attention: If you feel that the spark plug is tight when screwing in by hand, do not try to tighten it with a wrench! This is a sure sign of misalignment, which will lead to damage to the threads in the block head.
How to determine the condition of a candle by the color of soot
White or light brown color indicates normal operation. Black carbon deposits indicate a rich mixture or a faulty ignition system. An oily coating indicates that oil has entered the cylinder, which requires engine repair.
Technical parameters and replacement table
To correctly select and tighten spark plugs, you must rely on factory specifications. Below is a table with the main parameters that will help you avoid errors during maintenance Nissan Terrano with 2.0 engine.
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Key size | 16 mm (5/8") | Standard size for most iridium spark plugs |
| Electrode gap | 1.1 mm | For NGK/DENSO iridium spark plugs |
| Tightening torque | 13 Nm | Do not overtighten to avoid damaging the threads. |
| Thread type | M14 x 1.25 | The thread pitch must match exactly |
| Thread length | 26.5 mm | Affects thermal operating conditions |
Compliance with the tightening torque is especially important, since too weak a fixation will lead to a violation of the tightness of the combustion chamber and overheating of the spark plug. Tightening too tightly will create unnecessary stress in the metal of the block head, which can cause cracks or difficulties during the next dismantling.
The correct tightening torque and cleanliness of the spark plug well are the key to long service life of the spark plugs and no problems with starting the engine.
Common maintenance errors and their consequences
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing spark plugs, which can cost the owner significant money. One of the most common problems is dirt getting into the cylinder during dismantling. Grains of sand trapped in the combustion chamber act as an abrasive, destroying the cylinder walls and piston rings.
Another mistake is using thread sealant. For spark plugs on the engine MR20DE this is unnecessary and even harmful, since the sealant can get into the combustion chamber and clog the catalyst. Copper grease on the threaded part is the only thing that is allowed, and then in minimal quantities.
- ❌ Ignoring the replacement of sealing washers (if they are included in the design)
- ❌ Installing spark plugs without checking the gap (even new ones)
- ❌ Confusion of ignition coil locations during assembly
If you have the coils swapped, the engine may run unstable, but more often than not, modern ignition systems control the spark plugs individually, so the error may not be immediately noticeable, but will result in errors in the ECU's memory. Always put the reel back in the same place as it was or mark them before removing them.
What to do if the spark plug breaks while unscrewing?
If the ceramic insulator breaks and fragments fall into the cylinder, do not start the engine under any circumstances. It is necessary to remove the cylinder head and remove the fragments. Otherwise, the piston will destroy the engine in a few seconds.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to change spark plugs on a hot engine?
No, this is absolutely not recommended. The metal of the block head expands when heated. If you unscrew a spark plug on a hot engine and screw in a new one, which is still cold, during subsequent cooling the seal may be compromised or the spark plug may break when you try to unscrew it again. Wait until the motor cools down completely.
How often do you need to change spark plugs on a Nissan Terrano 2.0?
The official recommendation is every 60,000 km. However, when operating in difficult urban conditions or using low-quality fuel, it is better to check their condition every 30,000 km and change them when worn. Iridium spark plugs can last up to 100,000 km, but their service life also depends on the quality of the fuel.
Do I need to change the ignition coils along with the spark plugs?
No, these are different nodes. Coils last much longer than spark plugs and are replaced only when they fail. However, if the spark plug is badly worn or has an insulator breakdown, this can lead to overload of the coil. When replacing spark plugs, it is worth visually checking the condition of the coils for cracks and carbon deposits.
Can I use regular spark plugs instead of iridium spark plugs?
Technically it is possible if all parameters are met (size, heat rating, clearance). However, conventional nickel spark plugs have a shorter lifespan and require more frequent replacement. The engine will run, but you may lose efficiency and stability at high speeds. It is better to use the recommended iridium or platinum options.
What to do if the Check Engine error is on after replacing the spark plugs?
Sometimes the error remains in the computer's memory even after the problem has been resolved. If the new spark plugs are in good condition and installed correctly, the error should disappear after several cycles of starting and warming up the engine. If this does not happen, you need to run diagnostics with a scanner to clear errors or look for other problems in the system.