Disassembly and Assembly: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Infiniti QX56. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the following parts:
- Oil pans (lower and upper): Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW " and "EXPLODED VIEW ".
- Front cover and timing chain: Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
- Cylinder head: Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
Remove knock sensor.
CAUTION: Carefully handle knock sensor avoiding shocks.
Remove oil filter (for VVEL ladder assembly) from cylinder block, if necessary. Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
Remove piston and connecting rod assembly as per the following:
- Before removing piston and connecting rod assembly, check the connecting rod side clearance. Refer to "INSPECTION ".
CAUTION: Be careful not to drop connecting rod bearing, and to scratch the surface.
1. Position crankshaft pin corresponding to connecting rod to be removed onto the bottom dead center.
2. Loosen mounting bolts, and remove connecting rod bearing cap.
3. Using a hammer handle (A) or similar tool, push piston and connecting rod assembly out to the cylinder head side.
  CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the cylinder wall and crankshaft pin, resulting from an interference of the connecting rod big end.
  
  Fig 1: Pushing Piston And Connecting Rod Assembly Using Hammer Handle
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove connecting rod bearings from connecting rod and connecting rod bearing cap.
CAUTION:
- Be careful not to drop connecting rod bearing, and to scratch the surface.
- Identify installation positions, and store them without mixing them up.
Remove piston rings from piston.
- Before removing piston rings, check the piston ring side clearance. Refer to "INSPECTION ".
- Use a piston ring expander (commercial service tool) (A).
  CAUTION:
  - When removing piston rings, be careful not to damage piston.
  - Be careful not to damage piston rings by expanding them excessively.
  Fig 2: Checking Piston Ring Clearance Using Piston Ring Expander
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove piston from connecting rod as per the following:
1. Using snap ring pliers (A), remove snap rings.
  
  Fig 3: Removing Snap Rings Using Snap Ring Plier
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. Heat piston to 60 to 70°C (140 to 158°F) with an industrial use dryer (A) or an equivalent.
  
  Fig 4: Heating Piston Using Dryer
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
3. Push out piston pin using a stick that has an outer diameter of approximately 20 mm (0.79 in).
  
  Fig 5: Pushing Out Piston Pin Using Stick
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove rear oil seal and rear oil seal retainer assembly from cylinder block.
- Insert screwdriver or similar tool between rear end of crankshaft counter weight and rear oil seal retainer, and separate liquid gasket to remove.
  CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.
Using screwdriver or similar tool, and lever off rear oil seal from rear oil seal retainer.
Remove main bearing cap as per the following:
- Before loosening cylinder block bolts, measure the crankshaft end play. Refer to "INSPECTION ".
  1. Loosen side bolts starting from No. 30 to 21 to remove.
    
    Fig 6: Loosening Cylinder Block Bolts
    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  2. Loosen main bearing cap sub bolts starting from No. 20 to 11 to remove.
  3. Loosen main bearing cap bolts starting from No. 10 to 1 to remove.
  4. Remove the main bearing cap.
- Insert bolts (1) into bolt holes, and then remove main bearing cap (2) by lifting up and shaking forward and backward.
  CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the mounting surface.
  
  Fig 7: Inserting Bolts Into Bolt Holes
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove crankshaft.
Remove main bearings and thrust bearings from main bearing cap and cylinder block.
CAUTION:
- Be careful not to drop main bearing, and to scratch the surface.
- Identify installation positions, and store them without mixing them up.
Remove oil jet.