Nissan 2.0L (121 cu in) firing order — diagram & guide

As one of the engines that have been in production for the longest time, Nissan’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder is present in the brand’s base models to this day. The engine itself is considered to be pretty durable, but every experienced DIY mechanic will use the Nissan 2.0L (121 cu in) firing order to make the job of repairing it easier.

Of course, it’s not something that you can expect to memorize for each engine, which is why our team is here to freshen up your memory. Throughout this guide, we’ll be exploring the firing sequence of this engine together with the cylinder positions to allow you to properly maintain your ride.

Nissan 2.0L firing order

Ever since the early 2000s and up until now, the 2.0-liter engine by Nissan has been used in a variety of the brand’s models. During that time, several revisions were made, but one thing has remained the same – the Nissan 2.0L firing order is 1-3-4-2.

So, whether you own an older 2000s X-Trail or the recent Atlas model, the firing pattern will be the same for all these vehicles. If you are wondering what you can achieve by knowing the firing pattern, it’s possible to examine the spark plugs and ignition coils, as well as distributor connections.

Checking each cylinder will also allow you to track misfires more easily, so we’ll help you on that road with the next few steps.

Nissan 2.0L cylinder diagram

This one is among the most relevant things to the firing order of the 2.0-liter engine since you need to identify the cylinder positions before applying it. At least that shouldn’t be an issue with this engine since it features a rather simple straight-four configuration.

This means that the first cylinder is located on the left side of the engine on the passenger’s side. All the other cylinders follow up consequently towards the right end of the engine going in a straight line.

So, this makes it easy for you to identify the first cylinder and follow up on all the others based on the firing order we’ve outlined above.

Nissan 2.0L vehicle applications

Considering the life span of over 20 years of this engine, it’s no wonder that the 2.0-liter four-cylinder found its way into many of Nissan’s base models. Still, we have to give you a heads-up on each of these models so you can rest assured that your car uses this exact firing pattern:

• Nissan X-Trail
• Nissan Primera
• Nissan Serena
• Nissan Prairie
• Nissan Atlas
• Nissan Avenir

While the engine has been revised over time to improve the efficiency and fuel consumption at most, all the listed vehicles feature the same firing order, including the Bluebird Sylphy model in Japan.

Our take

Ultimately, it all comes down to properly utilizing the firing order for the benefit of your vehicle and engine’s life span. So, we hope this guide sets you on the right track to do so with our detailed instructions on the firing sequence and the cylinder configuration of the engine.