coil pack replacement

[nashvilledog]

Hi, I am new to this forum. How easy / hard is it to replace a coil on a 97 q45? I have one with 300k on it. I replaced one coil and all plugs replaced 2yrs ago. I just had a #7 coil replaced and all plugs replaced last week. The chk engine lite came on yesterday and the code reader said #6 is bad. my mechanic charged me 150 to do the work last week. My question is how hard is it to do myself and do I need to replace the plug in #6 too?

Thanks

[Mopar]

Hi, I am new to this forum. How easy / hard is it to replace a coil on a 97 q45? I have one with 300k on it. I replaced one coil and all plugs replaced 2yrs ago. I just had a #7 coil replaced and all plugs replaced last week. The chk engine lite came on yesterday and the code reader said #6 is bad. my mechanic charged me 150 to do the work last week. My question is how hard is it to do myself and do I need to replace the plug in #6 too?

Thanks

It's not hard, but you have to take your time. You can actually see the coil packs when you open the hood. They are sitting on your spark plugs and have electrical wires running to it. If you have the coils you can just take one out and drop the new one in. I would suggest changing the spark plugs since you are going to expose them anyways.

Wow a 97 with 300k on it? original engine and transmission?

[nashvilledog]

yep, I bought it with 80k on it and the only major repairs have been the rack and knock sensors (and of course reg maintaince). Thanks for the quick response. I hope this isn't too dumb of a question, but how do I tell which one is #6?
Thanks again

[Mopar]

yep, I bought it with 80k on it and the only major repairs have been the rack and knock sensors (and of course reg maintaince). Thanks for the quick response. I hope this isn't too dumb of a question, but how do I tell which one is #6?
Thanks again

If I may ask, why did you change your knock sensors? did you get a code for them? how did the car improve after changing them? I am asking because I am having some problems with my 98 and am thinking about doing knock sensors too.

To answer your question, check the FSM (Factory service manual) all your answers will be there. Here's the link to the 98, 97 should be very similar if not the same.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1998_Q45/1998_Q45/

[nashvilledog]

The check engine was on and would not pass local inspection for tags. The car ran fine before changing them and I didn't notice any difference at all after they were installed except for the $1800 donation to the local Infini dealer and I got my tags. If I didn't have to get them replaced to get my tags i wouldn't have, but I'm not a mechanic. Thanks for the link. I am going to check it out now

[BadQ45t]

Good lord, your taking a 97' Q with 300k on it to a stealership!!!!!! Well they are probably cheaper in Nashville, TN (I assume that is where you live) than here in SF Bay Area where my Infiniti dealership charges $150 per hour.

I just got my first CEL yesterday, O2 sensor went bad, but I only have 95k on mine. I love hearing a story of 300k and still rolling!!

On the coil pack, just be very careful when you do it, TAKE YOUR TIME as i know you can break those things going out and putting it back on.

[maxnix]

I got my coil packs from FCP Groton for a good price, and they were OEM.

Previously I had replaced 2. When the third one went bad, I replaced them all and kept the 2 newer ones.

[oldmako]

Two 10mm bolts per coil. Both right on top and both easily accessible. The trick is disconnecting the electrical connector without d!ck it up. They're old and brittle from years snuggled up to the head. Shoot with jizz ahead of time. Use a small screwdriver in the arrow on the connector to free the lock and gently pull it apart. Mess this up and you are fair thee well fookt and will be hating life.

Once loose and the bolts out, just pull the coil off the plug.

Removal and replacement of the spark plug are simple enough until you figure that the head is aluminum and the plug has lived there forever. Mess the head up by getting ham fisted with the plug and you are fair the well fookt squared.

Use a decent TQ wrench on the install and be careful. Too tight and you eat threads. Too loose and eventually it backs out and takes the threads with it.

[maxnix]

I think the bolt heads on the coil pack bolts are actually 8mm.

[jrthurm]

I bot a set of coils from Partsgeek for my 99t.... Runs as good as new.... Was getting missfires just driving dow road, misfires on startup and track and supsension lights would come on... I would definitely change the plugs while your in there, no sense wasting the chance.....

[oldmako]

What did the coils set you back?

[jrthurm]

They were approx $75 each.... They are Hitachi... I kicked it around a long time, concerned that I was buying cheapo coils but in my research all I could see was that even the $200 coils were the same part # from Hitachi... I suspect even Infiniti sells Hitachi.... And Partsgeek was excellent to deal with... fast and the coils came packed well.... I have not had a missfire since that I know of.... I would definitely recommend it.....

Hey, its about a 1 hour job if you change the plugs.... Be sure to get the exact plugs that are called for... Don't skimp on the plugs....