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Nissan Sentra Spark Plugs Replacement Guide
How to change the engine spark plugs in a 7th generation 2013 to 2019 Nissan Sentra with the 1.8L I4 motor.

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2014 Sentra 1.8L I4 Engine
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Pull Off Plastic Engine Cover
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Engine Cover Removed
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the seventh generation (2013, 2014, 2015 and possibly also the revised 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 model years) Nissan Sentra sedan in checking or changing the engine spark plugs in the MRA8DE 1.8 liter inline four cylinder motor.

Owners of other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Versa, Maxima, Juke, Rogue, Altima, Xterra, Pathfinder, Murano, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Frontier, Teana, 370Z, GT-R, Titan, G25, G37, M35, QX56, QX60 and M37 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The OEM plugs are NGK PLZKAR6A-11. Sentra models sold in California are equipped with the NGK DILKAR6A-11.

A few other compatible spark plugs with their part numbers are as follows: Bosch (8121) VR8SPP33X, DENSO SC20HR11, NGK (9029) DILKAR6A-11, Autolite XP5683 Iridium and Champion REA12WMPB4 (9410).

The tools required to complete this procedure include a pair of needle nose pliers, a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet wrench, a 14mm spark plug socket (or a 9/16" spark plug socket), an extension bar, a 3/8" drive ratchet and a tube of dielectric grease.



 
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Spark Plug Ignition Coils
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Squeeze Hose Clamp Tabs
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Pull Off Rubber Tube
The first two steps are to open the hood and then gently pull off the plastic engine cover.

Set the engine cover aside in a safe place.

If the car has been driven recently, I'd recommend allowing it to cool off for at least an hour or two.

To access the spark plug ignition coils you will need to disconnect the vacuum hoses.

Use a pair of needle nose pliers to squeeze the tabs on the metal hose clamp before pulling off the hose.

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Grey Plastic Power Plug
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Press Down Release Tab
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Electrical Connector Removed
Press in the release tab on the grey plastic electrical connector before sliding the plug straight off the ignition coil housing.
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Loosen Counterclockwise
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10mm Bolt Removed
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Rotate Back & Forth
Loosen the single bolt that holds the ignition coil in place to the engine by turning it counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Set the 10mm bolt aside in a safe place.

Rotate the ignition coil back and forth a few times to make sure that the rubber dust boot at the bottom of the coil is not stuck or "frozen" to the top of the old spark plug.

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Lift Out Ignition Coil
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Spark Plug Well
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9/16" Spark Plug Socket
Lift the ignition coil assembly out of the spark plug well and set it aside in a safe place.

Attach the 14mm spark plug socket (or a 9/16" spark plug socket would also work) to the extension bar and the 3/8" drive ratchet.



 

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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Detach Wrench - Spin Out
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Lift Out Old Spark Plug
Loosen the old spark plug by turning it counterclockwise.

Try to avoid using excessive force.

If the spark plug won't turn, spray in some penetrating oil such as PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench or Kano Kroil and wait 15-30 minutes or more before trying again. If you don't have any penetrating oil, try spraying some WD-40 or just warm up the engine for a few minutes to expand the metal engine block.

Once the spark plug is loose, detach the ratcheting wrench from the extension bar and spin it out the rest of the way by hand.

Lift the old spark plug out of the well.

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Inspect Old Spark Plug
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Lower In New Spark Plug
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Tighten Clockwise
Detach the old spark plug from the socket.

The OEM spark plugs in this 2014 Sentra are NGK PLZKAR6A-11.

Inspect both ends of the old spark plug.

If the electrode end of the old spark plug looks ashy white, the plugs might have been exposed to high temperatures such as engine overheating or they could be the incorrect heat range for your driving conditions and/or environment.

If the old spark plugs are dark grey or covered in black soot, the engine could be burning oil and should be checked by a professional mechanic.

If you have a spark plug gap gauge, check the gap on the new spark plugs. They should already be pre-gapped to the correct setting from the factory.

Push the new spark plug in to the socket and lower it down in to the well.

Your spark plug socket should have a rubber insert or a strong magnet to hold the plug securely in place.

Spin the new spark plug in by hand until it makes contact with the cylinder head.

Tightening it by hand at first will help prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

Attach the 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench to the extension bar and tighten the new spark plug in the clockwise direction to just barely past the point when you feel the new crush washer collapse.

If you are re-installing the old spark plugs, only tighten them to just a small fraction of a turn past hand tight.

Try to avoid using excessive force to prevent from cracking the new spark plug or stripping the aluminum threads.

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Apply Dielectric Grease
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Lower In Ignition Coil
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Push On Power Plug
Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the opening in the rubber dust boot at the bottom of the ignition coil module.

The dielectric grease will help prevent corrosion and also help keep out any moisture or debris.

Lower the ignition coil down in to the well and push it on to the top of the new spark plug.

Push the power plug back in to place on the ignition coil.

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Spin In 10mm Bolt
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Tighten Clockwise
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Push On Rubber Hose
Replace the 10mm bolt by turning it in the clockwise direction by hand to prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

Tighten the 10mm bolt with the ratcheting wrench in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the bolt to prevent from cracking the plastic ignition coil module.

If you removed a vacuum line, push the rubber hose back in to place.

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Slide Down Hose Clamp
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Push On Engine Cover
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Spark Plugs Replaced
Squeeze the two metal tabs on the hose clamp before sliding it down over the end of the tube to secure it in place.

Line up the plastic engine cover and push it back in to place.

Start the engine and listen closely for any strange sounds which may indicate a problem such as a loose spark plug or a disconnected electrical connector or vacuum hose.

For more, check out my other 2013-2015 Nissan Sentra DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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