'98 Q Spark Plug Coils

[duck3986]

Could someone tell me the correct procedure to test my spark plug coils?

Where do I touch the two leads coming out of my multimeter?

What setting to I turn to on the multimeter?

Thanks,Don

[3Q Jay]

I'm not sure that the multimeter appraoch will tell you anything more than that the primary winding doesn't have an open [read: hard failure]. I imagione you are more after what is the coil doing in a dynamic environment with varying engine load, temp, rpm, etc.Are there symptoms leading you to suspect coil?

I recall a post where Q45tech mentioned that the 2nd gen coils like ours are not as robust as the first gen, but I don't recall if there was any discussion on how to diagnose.

Hijacking slightly, If the 1st gen are superior to the 2nd, Will a first gen coil pak fit a second gen engine? Anybody try this?

[maxnix]

I recall a post where Q45tech mentioned that the 2nd gen coils like ours are not as robust as the first gen, but I don't recall if there was any discussion on how to diagnose.

Hijacking slightly, If the 1st gen are superior to the 2nd, Will a first gen coil pak fit a second gen engine? Anybody try this?

I don't recall this quote, and I would have to wonder why the plug service interval is longer on the FY33 if it were true.

[Q45tech]

What does the coil [modern coil on plug] have to do with plug life, could it be that they didn't want the coil disturbed until 100k, when the legal life of the engine is over?Since most of the current problems only show up after some ham fisted guy pulls the coils off for a plug change.

OBD2 is smart enough to show which plug/cylinder misfires, of course the tech has to be smart enough to evaluate what caused the misfire [herein lies the problem].

Even the old Q45 engine treats plugs well [many can last longer than 60k]........we see some engines with factory plugs at 120-150k [never changed till really bad things happen].

As the engine gets miles on it, after 200k even 60k change intervals may not be frequent enough.......depends.

The newer designs where the coils are easier to get at [no protective cover] may be the problem.......more exposure to underhood [not just heat] as they should run cooler......vibration, tampering who knows..........the VW problem was caused by the design......the wire winding machine and the choice of insulation?

[maxnix]

What does the coil [modern coil on plug] have to do with plug life, could it be that they didn't want the coil disturbed until 100k, when the legal life of the engine is over?

True, but it may be a reasonable inference that the construction quality of the coil pack for the VH41DE was not compromised vís-a vís the VH45DE coil pack as the VH41DE coil pack obstensibly needed to last the extended service interval without failure.

Then again, maybe not, since it would be beyond the coverage of even most extended warranties if it failed at the end of the OEM recommended service interval.

In any case, haven't seen too many posts on their failures, and I think the few were on the VH45DE at 100K+ miles. Usually it is improper removal technique that leads to damage and subsequent failure.

[3Q Jay]

sorry Brian, you seem like a go-to guy and all, but I just can't resist dinging the search master:

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....=coil

look at the last two posts in this thread [car was 2000 anniv edition]Now I'll stop being a wise guy and get back to the subject:

1. my fy33 says 60k plug interval both on schedule 1 and 2 [1997]..when the extension to 105k (or100k) on plugs?

1a. i do not know if the plugs were changed in mine or not [no 60k service by infiniti]. since no issues at the moment [80k], i'm actually not in a rush to do this [not even that i doubt my care with the coil paks, just don't see the need]. i welcome a couterpoint on this if i'm overlooking something obvious or building a bigger downstream problem.

2. is the 90-96 part still available, and can it be used on the 97?

[maxnix]

So much for memory. But I wonder if the coil pack was previously damaged? They do seldom fail regardless of year.

[VA99Q45]

I measured mine a while back, and they ranged from 1.4K - 1.7K Ohm. I don't remember which two pins. But you can try different combinations. There are only three combinations (pins 1-2, 1-3, 2-3).My guess is pin 1 and 3.

[VA99Q45]

It is interresting that the 2000 Q45 advertised to have 100K miles spark plugs. This is the same exact spark plugs on the 1999, but they recommend changing them at 60K miles.

[3Q Jay]

hey Virginia, thanks for confirming that the change was b/n 99 and 00. my guess is a marketing deal ["reduce your mainentenance operating costs"] to appear competitve with the other marques than anything else. how many mi do you have, and have you cahnged plugs? any issues?and to Brian- thermomechanical fatigue coupled with rough handling would be to root cause imo.

[maxnix]

and to Brian- thermomechanical fatigue coupled with rough handling would be to root cause imo.

Did you see any gouges or something else to indicate mechanic's abuse?

[3Q Jay]

Brian, no-that 2nd gen failure was not on mine [I haven't done the plugs]. I was just responding to this comment:

Quote »But I wonder if the coil pack was previously damaged? [/quote]

[VA99Q45]

GQ Jay,

I changed my plugs at 64K miles. Ordered my plugs from Joe, but you can get them from Wes for much less. Always use NGK.Changing the plugs is ~3 hours. It is not hard. You just need to take your time and be very careful with the coilpacks. Remember to put some anti-seize.

[Q45tech]

"2000 Q45 advertised to have 100K miles spark plugs. This is the same exact spark plugs on the 1999, but they recommend changing them at 60K miles."

In the words of Alfred E Neuman " What me worry" I'm still only offering a 70k warranty.Who cares what the fools do after that.

Really the potential for the plugs to sieze in the heads in more worrisome than leaving them in a little to long, since the coils are so powerful.

As the mileage builds I would use the following: 100k, 160k, 220k, 280k........................I changed mine at 250k [after only 50k] and it was time.

[duck3986]

Could someone provide Wes' website or contact info?

Thanks,Don

[maxnix]

http://www.q45.org