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Disassembly and Assembly: Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Nissan Quest. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Blow out the coolant and oil passages and cylinder bore to remove any foreign materials.
    WARNING: Use goggles to protect your eyes.
  2. Apply liquid gasket and install each plug into the cylinder block.
  3. Install the oil jets.
    • Insert the oil jet dowel pin into the cylinder block dowel pin hole, and tighten the oil jet bolts.

      Oil jet bolts : 27 N.m (2.8 kg-m, 20 ft-lb) 

      Fig 1: Identifying Dowel Pin
      G04196165Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  4. Install the main bearings and the thrust bearings.
    1. Remove dust, dirt, and oil on the bearing mating surfaces of the cylinder block and the main bearing cap.
    2. Install the thrust bearings to both sides of the No. 3 journal housing on the cylinder block and the main bearing cap.
      • Install the thrust bearings with the oil groove facing the crankshaft arm (outside).
      • Install bearing with a projection on one end on cylinder block and bearing with a projection at center on cap. Align each projection with mating notch.
        Fig 2: Identifying Main Bearings And Thrust Bearings
        G04196166Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  5. Set the upper main bearings in their proper positions on the cylinder block.
  6. Check specifications for the reuse of the main bearing cap bolts.
    • Measure d1 and d2 as shown.
    • For d2, select the minimum diameter in the measuring area.
    • If the difference between d1 and d2 exceeds the limit, replace the bolts for assembly.

      Limit (d1 - d2) : 0.11 mm (0.0043 in) 

      Fig 4: Checking Main Bearing Cap Bolts
      G04196168Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  7. After installing the crankshaft, lower main bearings, main bearing caps, main bearing beam, and bearing cap bolts.
    1. Make sure that the front marks on the main bearing beam faces the front of the engine.
    2. Prior to tightening all the bearing cap bolts, place the bearing beam in its proper position by shifting the crankshaft in the axial position.
    3. Lubricate the threads and seat surfaces of the bolts with new engine oil.
      Fig 5: Identifying Front Mark
      G04196169Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    4. Tighten the bearing cap bolts in two steps in the order as shown:

      Step 1 : 35 N.m (3.6 kg-m, 26 ft-lb) 

      Step 2 : 90° - 95° degrees clockwise 

      CAUTION: Measure the tighten angle with an angle wrench. Do not measure visually.

      Tool number : KV10112100 (BT-8653-A) 

      Fig 6: Main Bearing Cap Bolts Tightening Sequence
      G04196170Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
      Fig 7: Measuring With An Angle Wrench
      G04196171Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    5. After tightening the bearing cap bolts, make sure the crankshaft turns smoothly.
  8. Using a dial indicator, measure the clearance between the thrust bearings and the connecting rods when the crankshaft is moved from front to rear.

    Standard : 0.10 - 0.25 mm (0.0039 - 0.0098 in) 

    Limit : 0.30 mm (0.0118 in) 

    • If beyond the limit, replace the thrust bearings and measure again. If still beyond the limit, replace the crankshaft.
      Fig 8: Measuring Clearance Between Thrust Bearings And Connecting Rods
      G04196172Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  9. Install the rear oil seal retainer.
    CAUTION: Rear oil seal is replaced with the rear oil seal retainer and must be replaced as an assembly.
  10. Install the piston to the connecting rod.
    1. Install the snap ring into the pin-groove of the piston rear side using suitable tool.
      • Insert it fully into groove to install.
        Fig 10: Identifying Piston To Connecting Rod
        G04196174Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    2. Install the piston to the connecting rod.
      • Heat the piston until the piston pin can be pushed in by hand without excess force [approx. 60° - 70°C (140° - 158°F)]. From the front to the rear, insert the piston pin into the piston and through the connecting rod.
        Fig 11: Identifying Piston Heater
        G04196175Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
      • Assemble so that the front mark on the piston crown and the oil holes and the cylinder No. on the connecting rod are positioned as shown.
        Fig 12: Identifying Piston Crown And Oil Holes And Cylinder No. On Connecting Rod
        G04196176Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    3. Install the snap ring into the front of the piston pin-groove.
      • After installing, check that the connecting rod pivots smoothly on the pin.
        Fig 13: Installing Snap Ring Into Front Of Piston Pin-Groove
        G04196177Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  11. Install the piston rings using a piston ring expander.
    • Install the top ring and the second ring with the stamped surface facing upward. If the ring is not stamped it can face in either direction.
    CAUTION:
    • Be careful not to damage the piston.
    • When the piston rings are not replaced, remount the rings in their original positions.
      Fig 14: Installing Piston Rings Using Piston Ring Expander
      G04196178Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    • When replacing the piston rings, those without punch marks can be mounted either side up.
      Fig 15: Identifying Punch Marks
      G04196179Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    • Position each ring with the gap as shown, referring to the piston front mark.
      Fig 16: Positioning Ring With Gap
      G04196180Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  12. Install the connecting rod bearings to the connecting rod and the connecting rod cap.
    • When installing the connecting rod bearings, apply engine oil to the bearing surface (crankshaft side). Do not apply oil to the back surface (connecting rod and cap side), but thoroughly clean it.
    • When installing, align the connecting rod bearing protrusion with the notch of the connecting rod to install.
    • Check that the oil holes on the connecting rod and on the corresponding bearing are aligned.
      Fig 17: Identifying Connecting Rod Bearings To Connecting Rod And Connecting Rod Cap
      G04196181Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  13. Install the piston and connecting rod assembly into the corresponding cylinder.
    • Position the crankshaft pin corresponding to the connecting rod to be installed onto the bottom dead center.
    • Apply engine oil sufficiently to the cylinder bore, piston, and crankshaft pin.
    • Match the cylinder position with the cylinder No. on the connecting rod to install.
    • Install the piston using Tool with the front mark on the piston crown facing the front of the engine.

      Tool number : EM03470000 (J-8037) 

      Fig 18: Installing Piston And Connecting Rod Assembly Into Corresponding Cylinder
      G04196182Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
      CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the crankshaft pin and cylinder wall, resulting from an interference of the connecting rod big end.
  14. Install the connecting rod cap.
    • Match the stamped cylinder number marks on the connecting rod with those on the cylinder cap for installation.
    • Install the piston connecting rod assembly and cap so that the front mark on the cap and piston are facing the front of the engine.
    • Lubricate the threads and seat surfaces with new engine oil.
      Fig 19: Identifying Connecting Rod Cap
      G04196183Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  15. Check the connecting rod cap bolts before reusing, then install in their original position in the connecting rod. The bolts should screw in smoothly by hand.
    • Measure the outer diameter of the connecting rod cap bolt as shown.

      Outer diameter "d" of the connecting rod bolt 

      Standard : 7.90 - 8.00 mm (0.3110 - 0.3150 in) 

      Limit : 7.75 mm (0.3051 in) 

      Fig 20: Measuring Outer Diameter Of Connecting Rod Cap Bolt
      G04196184Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  16. Tighten the connecting rod bolts in two steps:

    Connecting rod bolts 

    Step 1 : 20 N.m (2.0 kg-m, 15 ft-lb) 

    Step 2 : 90° - 95° degrees clockwise 

    CAUTION: Always use either an angle wrench or protractor. Avoid tightening based on visual check alone.

    Tool number : KV10112100 (BT-8653-A) 

    • Apply engine oil to the threads and seats of the connecting rod bolts.
      Fig 21: Locating Connecting Rod Bolts
      G04196185Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    • After tightening the bolts, make sure that the crankshaft rotates smoothly.
    • Check the connecting rod side clearance. If beyond the limit, replace the connecting rod and/or crankshaft.

      Connecting rod side clearance: 

      Standard : 0.20 - 0.35 mm (0.0079 - 0.0138 in) 

      Limit : 0.40 mm (0.0157 in) 

  17. Install the baffle plate.

    Baffle plate bolts : 8.8 N.m (0.90 kg-m, 78 in-lb) 

  18. Install the knock sensor.

    Knock sensor bolt : 23.6 N.m (2.4 kg-m, 17 in-lb) 

    • Make sure that there is no foreign material on the cylinder block mating surface and the back surface of the knock sensor.
    • Install the knock sensor with the connector facing the rear of the engine.
    • Do not tighten the knock sensor bolt while holding the connector.
    • Make sure that the knock sensor does not interfere with other parts.
      Fig 22: Identifying Knock Sensor
      G04196186Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    CAUTION: If any impact by dropping occurs to the knock sensor, replace it with new one.
  19. Install the pilot converter using suitable tool.

    Outer diameter of drift 

    Pilot converter : Approx. 33 mm (1.30 in) 

    Fig 23: Installing Pilot Converter Using Suitable Tool
    G04196187Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    • Install pilot converter as shown.
      Fig 24: Identifying Pilot Converter
      G04196188Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  20. Install the drive plate.
    • Install the drive plate and reinforce plate in the direction as shown.
    • Align dowel pins of crankshaft rear and drive plate with pin holes of each part.
    • Secure the crankshaft using Tool.

      Tool number : KV10117700 (J-44716) 

    • Tighten the drive plate bolts in one or two steps.

      Drive plate bolts : 88 N.m (9.0 kg-m, 65 ft-lb) 

      Fig 25: Identifying Drive Plate
      G04196189Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  21. Install the cylinder head. Refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ".
  22. Install the oil pump. Refer to "INSTALLATION ".
  23. Install the timing chain. Refer to REMOVAL .
  24. Install the upper and lower oil pans. Refer to "INSTALLATION ".
  25. Remove the engine from the stand and install the engine assembly into the vehicle. Refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ".
  26. Assembly of the remaining parts is in the reverse order of disassembly.
  27. Fill the engine with the specified oil and coolant. Refer to "FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ".
    CAUTION: Wait at least 30 minutes for the sealant to set-up before filling the engine with fluids and running it.