Parts for your 2008 Nissan Pathfinder-Ignition coils

2008 Nissan Pathfinder ignition coils

Ignition coils are fitted to 2008 Nissan Pathfinder petrol models (VQ40DE 4.0L V6 and VK56DE 5.6L V8). The diesel variant (YD25DDTi 2.5L) does not use ignition coils because it’s a compression-ignition engine and relies on high cylinder pressure and glow plugs for cold starts rather than spark. This is confirmed by Nissan’s 2008 Pathfinder R51 Factory Service Manual (EC/IG sections for petrol ignition, and diesel engine section noting no spark system), as well as Nissan parts catalogues that list coil-on-plug units for the VQ40DE/VK56DE and none for the YD25.

For petrol Pathfinders, the ignition coils are the unsung heroes that turn the battery’s low voltage into the high-voltage kick needed to fire each spark plug. They’re a coil-on-plug design—one coil per cylinder—which keeps the spark precise and strong, helping the Pathfinder start crisply, idle smoothly, and pull well under load. The engine control module triggers each coil at exactly the right moment, so good coils are key to fuel economy and power.

They’re not a scheduled service item, but they do wear. Common signs of a failing coil include rough idle, hesitation under load, poor fuel use, and a check engine light with misfire codes (P0300–P0308) or coil circuit faults (P035x). If that pops up, a quick swap test (moving a suspected coil to another cylinder to see if the misfire follows) is a handy driveway check.

Best practice during servicing:

• Replace spark plugs at the recommended interval (long-life plugs, around 160,000 km, per Nissan guidance). Old plugs make coils work harder and can shorten their life.
• Inspect coil boots when plugs are out. Look for cracks, carbon tracking, or oil from a leaking rocker cover gasket. Replace damaged boots and fix any oil leaks promptly.
• Keep moisture out. If washing the engine bay, avoid soaking the tops of the rocker covers and coil connectors.
• Use quality parts. Genuine or reputable aftermarket coils tend to last longer and behave consistently with the ECU’s dwell strategy.

When a coil fails, it’s fine to replace just the faulty one on a relatively low‑kilometre vehicle. On higher‑kilometre Pathfinders, many owners pre-emptively replace the full bank to avoid repeat visits. Coils are held by small bolts, snug them to factory spec and reconnect the loom carefully. If the vehicle is a YD25 diesel, no ignition coils are fitted—attention should instead go to glow plugs and the fuel/air systems for start and driveability concerns.

Technical sources referenced: Nissan Pathfinder (R51) 2008 Factory Service Manual – EC and IG sections (petrol ignition system) and Diesel Engine section (YD25DDTi), Nissan FAST/parts catalogue listings for VQ40DE and VK56DE ignition coils, and service literature used by dealer technicians in AU/NZ.

Popular questions about 2008 Nissan Pathfinder ignition coils

How many ignition coils does a 2008 Pathfinder have?
The petrol V6 has six coils (one per cylinder) and the petrol V8 has eight. The YD25 diesel has none, as it doesn’t use spark ignition.

Do ignition coils need routine replacement?
No set interval. They’re replaced when symptoms appear or faults are logged. Keeping fresh spark plugs and fixing oil leaks around the rocker covers helps coils last longer.

Should all coils be replaced at once?
Not always. Replacing the single failed coil is perfectly acceptable. On higher‑kilometre vehicles, some owners choose to replace the full set to save repeat labour and maintain even performance.